I laughed when I saw this image posted by Kyllingsara with her tale of an Introverted Extrovert, because I totally relate to the image. I lean much more to the introverted side of things, as extroversion is not my natural state of being (though I try to hide it in public).
Yes, I’ll be jabbering today because I’ve been reading about a lot of studies which claim that we’re lonely because of the Internet, and question whether we even know how to communicate properly anymore. And I’ve got to say that I’m a bit annoyed at all of this blame that we place so simplistically. I’m sure those specialists who have studied this know more than me, but I plan on relying on my own experiences before I believe blanket conclusions that experts continually make.
I talk about this a lot, but we are all created individually and act differently depending on how we react to those emotional stimulants. But what I can say is that the Internet helps those of us who are tortured by our lack of extroversion. And making sweeping judgments that people thrive on face-to-face communications is taking our individual quirkiness out of their pronouncement. Some people freeze up in public – I should know since I cringe whenever the focus lands on me.
Yes, assuming that technology answers all of our problems is just as dangerous. But there has to be acknowledgement that the world has been drawn just a little closer through digital communications. Sure, you’re not able to touch the person, or hear the nuances of their words as you would in person, but context comes in as you familiarize yourself with other people through repeated interactions of any kind. Friendship and even love doesn’t always start with a touch or a sound of a voice. Sometimes it can start with a few simple words that reach out to us and make us want to get to know someone else.
Introverts unite in hiding on the Internet, but they’re really letting loose in the very best of ways because they feel protected. And if that let’s their honesty loose, then how bad can it be?
Besides, if you’re going to argue about various methods of communications being conducive to nurturing humanity, then how do you explain the success of arranged marriages that is still practiced around the world? Those strangers are introduced through similar methods before they learn to communicate comfortably in person. Just saying…
