furnaceface: (Default)
Jono Starsmore ([personal profile] furnaceface) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2012-09-07 08:07 am

Living on the Outskirts, Friday, Period 2

"Today," Jono said as the last of his students found their way into whatever configuration made them the most comfortable, "we're going to be touching on one of those age-old problems. That is, we're going to be stopping to take a look at the difference between an introvert and an extrovert, and some common misconceptions made by the latter about the former. First and foremost, whether you're one or the other has nothing to do with how rude or how polite you are, or if you can or can't grasp basic social nuances. Extroversion and Introversion are both simply words to indicate whether people gain or lose energy by being around people, or if they usually benefit more from time spent in solitude to piece their thoughts together.

"An introvert, therefore, is not somebody who is shy, or somebody who is rude or a snob or who flat-out hates speaking with others. Certainly there can be rude, antisocial snobs in the lot. Just as there can be rude extroverts who don't understand basic social cues being put off by the people around them. To put it simply, introverts and extroverts are wired differently. It's the difference between having more activity in the front lobes of the brain when focussed on introspection, on problem solving, on complex thought, or having more activity in the back of one's brain, which reacts more strongly to external stimuli as an extrovert's brain does.

"Which is to say, in those moments when an introvert is being thrust into a social situation and they're not particularly talkative, it isn't because they're being rude or they don't know how to speak. It's because it takes actual effort to slide from that front brain mindset, and to remain there. And after that social situation, if they're not then in the mood to go for drinks and see if they can hit up a party or three, there's a good chance it's because they'd much rather go home and crawl into a book or a hot bath or just pass out in exhaustion." Jono cracked a wry smile. "Odds are, that's what I'll be doing after class."

Social exertion was hard, okay?

"Today's assignment is going to be fairly simple. I want you to figure out if you, personally, are an introvert or an extrovert, and then I want you to share with the class a few of the activities that you find refreshing, that you find energizing. You don't need to speak for long if you don't want to," he added, wryly. "Or, I suppose if you happen to be an extrovert, you're welcome to talk as long as you wish, just so long as you don't run us over into the next period."

[Open!]

Re: Before Class!

[identity profile] seeshowyoudie.livejournal.com 2012-09-07 12:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Miriam loved classes with free food. It was all she could do not to squirrel some pastries away in her messenger bag as well. She didn't have to here, but old habits died hard.