Are introverts discriminated against?

[Milk Sheikh]

Statistically, 75% of the population is extroverted. Extroversion is the norm and is encouraged by society, regardless of where you're born, your culture, religion etc. This attitude - that one is 'normal' only when one is extroverted - is common throughout the world.

Introverts, on the other hand, are treated like freaks. A quiet person is asked why he's quiet as if he has a medical condition. An outgoing person is not asked why he's outgoing. It's only the quiet, introverted person who has to explain himself to everyone, justify his actions.

Some people may see this as discrimination against the introverts.

[RGacky3]

No

[danyboy27]

Cool story bro.

[Revolution starts with U]

One time I was trying to get into a restaurant and they asked how many were with me. Im such an introvert I couldnt answer them. AND THEY WOULDNT GIVE ME A TABLE!!!
Fuckin bigots :glare:

[¿Que?]

I think this is a real problem. Introverted people tend to be socially isolated, and vary in the capacity to perform daily functions that require socialization, such as work. Some can perform necessary functions but cannot connect to people on a personal level. Others are so crippled with shyness, they barely get by. I think definitely introverts are marginalized, however, whether this happens from discrimination or from difficulties in communication with others I think is difficult to say. To a certain degree, I think introverts are discriminated against. When an extrovert might want to talk to an introvert, the introvert may be unresponsive or distant, which may make the other person less likely to see further or deeper connections, rather than consider that the person is introverted and may need a little more effort on the other person's part to really forge a meaningful connection. Again, though, we can see how this example can be better explained by lack of communication than actual discrimination. I don't think the other person is necessarily discriminating against this person because they are introverted, so much as because there is a communication breakdown that neither party is capable of resolving effectively.

[Dimentio]

Statistically, 75% of the population is extroverted. Extroversion is the norm and is encouraged by society, regardless of where you're born, your culture, religion etc. This attitude - that one is 'normal' only when one is extroverted - is common throughout the world.

Introverts, on the other hand, are treated like freaks. A quiet person is asked why he's quiet as if he has a medical condition. An outgoing person is not asked why he's outgoing. It's only the quiet, introverted person who has to explain himself to everyone, justify his actions.

Some people may see this as discrimination against the introverts.

Move to Finland or Japan. Problem solved.

[Dimentio]

I think this is a real problem. Introverted people tend to be socially isolated, and vary in the capacity to perform daily functions that require socialization, such as work. Some can perform necessary functions but cannot connect to people on a personal level. Others are so crippled with shyness, they barely get by. I think definitely introverts are marginalized, however, whether this happens from discrimination or from difficulties in communication with others I think is difficult to say. To a certain degree, I think introverts are discriminated against. When an extrovert might want to talk to an introvert, the introvert may be unresponsive or distant, which may make the other person less likely to see further or deeper connections, rather than consider that the person is introverted and may need a little more effort on the other person's part to really forge a meaningful connection. Again, though, we can see how this example can be better explained by lack of communication than actual discrimination. I don't think the other person is necessarily discriminating against this person because they are introverted, so much as because there is a communication breakdown that neither party is capable of resolving effectively.

I believe it is a matter of insufficient upbringing. We often assume that boys should be active and out-going and that girls should be passive and cute, and therefore we create an upbringing environment for children which is solidifying capitalist commodification.

[Le Libérer]

Meh, they are discriminated against, they are ignored, big difference. Out of site, out of mind.

[¿Que?]

I believe it is a matter of insufficient upbringing. We often assume that boys should be active and out-going and that girls should be passive and cute, and therefore we create an upbringing environment for children which is solidifying capitalist commodification.
How does this really explain introversion, though. Extroverts are part of the capitalist upbringing too, and I would say they do as much to solidify capitalist commodification as do introverts. How do you explain this variation when both phenomena come from the same economic system?

[Revolution starts with U]

CotR you make it sound like introverts are less than human. Like "if they don't want to be like me, fuck them!"

[Skooma Addict]

In America at least, Yes.

[Dimentio]

How does this really explain introversion, though. Extroverts are part of the capitalist upbringing too, and I would say they do as much to solidify capitalist commodification as do introverts. How do you explain this variation when both phenomena come from the same economic system?

Extroverts and introverts are both natural human personalities. What we should talk about is not to change introverted people, but to change the conditions which lead to some people living less full lives.

[masty]

Not being able to communicate effectively with others and 'be a team player' in the capitalist workplace is no joke. A lot of these people are perfectly capable and not given the chance to express themselves/contribute fully- just like the mentally ill are routinely shoved into asylums or otherwise locked up when they are neither violent nor 'useless'. Saying 'they're shy so fuck them' is breathtaking dumb. We need to be more compassionate if we're going to bother with being communists.

[¿Que?]

Extroverts and introverts are both natural human personalities. What we should talk about is not to change introverted people, but to change the conditions which lead to some people living less full lives.
Agreed. However, the "fullness" of life is itself a social construction. There are a lot of extroverted people that are completely miserable, they just do a better job at hiding it.

[Dimentio]

Agreed. However, the "fullness" of life is itself a social construction. There are a lot of extroverted people that are completely miserable, they just do a better job at hiding it.

I think that some cultures are friendlier towards introverts though, like for example the Japanese and Scandinavian cultures.

[RGacky3]

This argument is like asking "are unfunny people discriminated against because they don't make people laugh?" or its like asking "are shy people discriminated against because they can't approach women/men?" Or asking "Are bummers disciminated against because they bring everyone down and people don't want to hang out with bummers." Or like asking "are obnoxious people discriminated against because people think they are annoying?"

Those are all stupid questions, the OP is a stupid question, the answer is NO.

[Dimentio]

This argument is like asking "are unfunny people discriminated against because they don't make people laugh?" or its like asking "are shy people discriminated against because they can't approach women/men?" Or asking "Are bummers disciminated against because they bring everyone down and people don't want to hang out with bummers." Or like asking "are obnoxious people discriminated against because people think they are annoying?"

Those are all stupid questions, the OP is a stupid question, the answer is NO.

On a serious note, there are some prevalent norms of bullying, especially as men who are perceived to not fulfill the ideal image of what maleness entails. Not only gays are affected by that. Physically weak geeks with glasses are picked upon in certain cultures.

[Manic Impressive]

On a serious note, there are some prevalent norms of bullying, especially as men who are perceived to not fulfill the ideal image of what maleness entails. Not only gays are affected by that. Physically weak geeks with glasses are picked upon in certain cultures.
Yeah but then that swings both ways when I'm with a group of introverted weedy geek types I'm treated as the odd one out coz I don't like skate boards, comics and cartoons.

[Meridian]

This argument is like asking "are unfunny people discriminated against because they don't make people laugh?" or its like asking "are shy people discriminated against because they can't approach women/men?" Or asking "Are bummers disciminated against because they bring everyone down and people don't want to hang out with bummers." Or like asking "are obnoxious people discriminated against because people think they are annoying?"

Those are all stupid questions, the OP is a stupid question, the answer is NO.
You are already phrasing this as if being "introverted" is a negative trait, similar to being unfunny or obnoxious, which I think gives credibility to the OP's question. You're making a negative value judgement of a trait which is beyond the individual's choosing, or in other words, you are discriminating.

I think that there are varying degrees of personality differences. Some people, when talking with 'introverts', will claim that they have had periods in their lives when they were shy, before they "opened up" and became more social. However, I think many people have a more slight deep seated preference for solitude, or a preference against gaining attention in social settings. And this is as harmful to the person and their surroundings as it is to have brown skin or to be homosexual.

The idea that everyone's actually "supposed" to be socially adaptable and in everyone's face constantly has no ground anywhere.

[Skooma Addict]

Ugly people and Introverts are more discriminated against than blacks, women, and all the other groups that overplay the discrimination they deal with.

[Ele'ill]

Overplay?

[Skooma Addict]

yes

[Revolution starts with U]

It makes you feel better about yourself to say that, doesn't it?
That's all that matter, really; profits :D

[Skooma Addict]

Lol. Are you suggesting I feel guilty for supporting capitalism or something?

[Revolution starts with U]

No Im saying your capitalist nature is what would make you say such things. It doesn't matter if it's true, itmakes you feel better.
You're trading something you value less for something you value more; i.e. profit. You value truth less than self-worth. So you trade, and make a spiritual profit.

[Skooma Addict]

No Im saying your capitalist nature is what would make you say such things. It doesn't matter if it's true, itmakes you feel better.
You're trading something you value less for something you value more; i.e. profit. You value truth less than self-worth. So you trade, and make a spiritual profit.

I did make a very large spiritual profit indeed. I am going to invest about 70% in spiritual bonds on hold the other 30% in spirit cash.

[Revolution starts with U]

The worst part is, I sort of agree with you. Outcasts are pretty discriminated against. BUt I think the black community has a legitimate complaint as well.

[¿Que?]

You guys are too abstract. It's not as if uglyness or introversion, both constructions of capitalist society, occur in an identity vacuum. For one thing, ugly women are marginalized way more than ugly men. For another, introversion may very well be the result of being discriminated against due to race or gender. So yeah, you guys seem to be taking the concept of introversion or uglyness and creating out it some nonexistent state of mind or social being that exists independent of identity. Such is not the case.

[Skooma Addict]

You guys are too abstract. It's not as if uglyness or introversion, both constructions of capitalist society, occur in an identity vacuum. For one thing, ugly women are marginalized way more than ugly men. For another, introversion may very well be the result of being discriminated against due to race or gender. So yeah, you guys seem to be taking the concept of introversion or uglyness and creating out it some nonexistent state of mind or social being that exists independent of identity. Such is not the case.

So ugly and introverted people did not exist prior to capitalism?

[hatzel]

So ugly and introverted people did not exist prior to capitalism?

I would suggest he rewrite it without the word 'capitalist'. They're both definitely social constructs, though :)

[¿Que?]

So ugly and introverted people did not exist prior to capitalism?
Thank you for the correction, how could I have been so stupid. Ugly and shyness have taken the exact same character, have produced the exact same effects and have been treated exactly the same at any given point in history. A lot of things have changed since feudalism, but not ugliness and shyness, no sir.

[Le Libérer]

Ugly people and Introverts are more discriminated against than blacks, women, and all the other groups that overplay the discrimination they deal with.

I would say overweight people are thought less of than introverts, drug users, and ugly people. And define ugly. One mans ugly isnt ugly to someone else.

[Robespierre Richard]

Hi I'm an agnostic libertarian with internet-diagnosed Asperger's Syndrome and I believe that I'm discriminated against more than those women and minorities who are always screaming about their rights. In fact, I feel that the government is holding back my ability to become a captain of industry by focusing on them.