Hacker News Reader

Comment by unklefolk | Hacker News Reader

One thing I have missed as an introvert is the "people watching" aspect. I don't need to be at the centre of things and don't enjoy big social occasions, but do enjoy walking around a bustling city, taking in the atmosphere. It feels like the world has stood still (or at least slowed) and that has made just my normal day-to-day less interesting. Introverts aren't disinterested in society - they just like to experience it differently to extraverts.

View on HN

> Introverts aren't disinterested in society - they just like to experience it differently to extraverts.

Depends upon the introvert. I have very little interest in society. I don't mean in an academic sense, but I mean I cannot stand being in a bustling city or anywhere where there are a lot of people. It actually makes me feel lonely. Having no people in public places has been mostly a relief to me, honestly.

well it's not really a binary choice. it's a continuum between introversion and extraversion

I think you missed the point of the comment you replied to.

It's possible to be extremely introverted, preferring no explicit social interactions, while still getting a noticable peace and energy uplift from being able to just watch and be surrounded by other people doing their things.

Think of someone quiet in a coffee shop or library who never talks to anyone, but likes being there, not for the coffee or the books, but for the ambience.

Exactly this. I moved to New York in my early 20s, which would seem a bad choice for an introvert, but I loved just sitting and watching it all go by. It was like being in a human circus but you are in the audience rather than in the circus ring.

my point was exactly what you describe. it’s not clear what being introvert means. it’s just a word people throw around. being quiet doesn’t mean you want to live in a dungeon, as you say. everyone is different

Reply on news.ycombinator.com