The Power of Introverts

Susan Cain, informational speaker on the subject of introversion, tells us that we are born into a culture where society tends to favor the man of action over the man of contemplation.  Society is one large, indirect battle between these two mindsets.  Both have its perks, although introversion tends to be looked down upon.  It is told to us that the most normal person would be considered an extrovert; that they have the ideal persona.  For the approximately 33% to 50% of society who would consider themselves to be introverts, they are left feeling like outcasts.

To clarify, introversion isn't necessarily the act of shyness or fear of humiliation.  It is instead the idea that certain people think the best or feel at their best when they are alone.  Extroverts, however, are the complete opposite.  They tend to feed off of being around others and the contrasting opinions of others.

Having to live in a culture of personality and individuality is not welcoming to an introvert.  For those who like to organize their thoughts and ruminate about the world around them, they are being forced out of their comfort zone.  This causes introverts to pretend to be what they are not.

Some of the most creative people in history were once introverts.  To name a few; Albert Einstein; Charles Darwin; J.K Rowling; Mahatma Ghandi; Eleanor Roosevelt; Dr. Seuss; Mother Teresa.  While extroverts like to speak their minds and often say whatever they think of, introverts give themselves time to gather their thoughts before, if even, speaking out to everyone else.  Susan Cain stresses that this is completely normal but sometimes it is necessary for an introvert to open up.  The world needs the ideas of an introvert.

Cain makes an interesting point in the middle of her speech.  It happens more often than not that groups tend to follow the opinion of the most dominant person in the room, the extrovert.  But we fail to take into consideration that there is no correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.  Just because someone feels comfortable enough to share their idea with the group doesn't mean that the introvert who is just sitting there, keeping their mouth shut, doesn't have an even better idea.

There are perks to being an introvert.  They tend to be entirely loyal, focused, self-disciplined, and patient.  They live and breathe the concept of "harmony over controversy".  Privacy and freedom are desired and the most crafty ideas are the affects of the deepest of thoughts.

Solitude is crucial for self reflection and self discovery.  Susan Cain closes her speech by calling out to all introverts to have the courage to "speak softly".  No matter whether you are an introvert or not, be sure to embrace it because the world needs you.  It needs your voice to be heard no matter how loudly or softly you wish to speak.
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A question was asked in class today:  Is everything you see/hear meant to be either argumentative or persuasive?

In response to this, I would argue the affirmative.  Although not always direct, everything is always done for a purpose, whether to inform or entertain, etc.  Even if just to inform, the author usually sticks his or her opinion somewhere in the content of their work.  This can cause the reader to have a change of mind, therefore doing the same as an argumentative or persuasive topic would have done.

SCWAMP for The Great Gatsby

S- Gatsby is straight.  He is deadly in love with a woman named Daisy Buchanan.  All of the relationships in this movie are heterosexual.
C- Although it is uncertain to name Gatsby's religion, certain Christian qualities are exemplified in his lifetime.  They are not positive qualities, though.  Gatsby constantly struggles with jealousy and there are instances of adultery and murder from other characters.
W- Gatsby is a white man.  All of the main characters are also white.
A- Gatsby is quite able-bodied.  He has no physical handicapps but has a questionable emotional and mental wellbeing,  He has trust issues and depression towards anything that doesn't go his way.
M- Gatsby is a man in the 70s.  The male race as a whole is dominant over the women.  They have the last say in what is to be done.  There are multiple instances where they even abuse the ladies who fail to listen.
P- Gatsby owns a mansion on the wealthy part of town.  He is very rich and has a lot of power because of it.  He throws extravagant parties weekly and is very well-known.  Almost all of the other characters as well are very wealthy.  Most don't work because they have been born in to their wealth. They have expensive houses and expensive cars.

Who Am I...

I am a girl.


I am a daughter, sister, and friend and I am happy.  But I am confused.  I know not of what I am to become for my thoughts of success are all that motivate the persuit of my wildest dreams.  I will grow to do great things but I will struggle to do them with ease.  Life is a journey and my journey is not simple.  But I am strong.  I will push through the pain and the sorrow if it means anything of what I will become.  I am willing to not take the road less traveled but to shape my own path in the grounds of history.  I will leap across the largest puddle and I will dig deeper than anyone has ever done before.  I want to be more than alive.  I want to live.