Are you an introvert?
As author and speaker Susan Cain puts it, "if you prefer listening to talking, reading to socializing, and cozy chats to group settings," you might be.
The thing is, Susan says being an introvert isn't such a popular trait these days. Instead, society values extroverts: charismatic, outgoing people who assert their personalities (and do great in job interviews).
Susan doesn't think introverts are better than extroverts - or vice versa. Instead, she argues that we'd all be better off working together.
She spoke about her ideas at an event organized by UK charity the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). Check out that talk below:
Now RSA has worked with artist Molly Crabapple and director Jim Batt to animate parts of her talk for their RSA Shorts program. The video at the top of this post is the result, with dogs representing extroverts and cats standing in for the introverts.
Susan was in the red chair last season to talk with George about her book, 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.' Check out that interview below.
By the way, if you do identify as introverted, you're in good company: a lot of unexpected people consider themselves introverts.
For instance: although he's the host of a television show, George took the introvert quiz in Susan's book, and it turns out he qualifies as an introvert.
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