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Comment by lucian303 | Hacker News Reader

"More than ever, I just wanted to be alone. Alone with my thoughts, alone with my computer, alone with my hobbies."

That sounds neither sad nor crazy or anything else people might tell you. It's quite normal. You maybe an introvert. Which is not what most people think it is.

This maybe the best article on the subject and most popular Atlantic Monthly article ever in terms of reader response: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2003/03/caring-f...

If that rings true, Welcome! You are far from alone. But we'll leave you alone, because we're the same way most of the time.

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The way I define it these days: there are two types of people, those that "recharge" when they're with others for when they're alone (extroverts), and those that recharge when they're alone for when they're with others (introverts).

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

And some do both. To limited extents. As in, I can take this much recharge from people and this much from my alone time. It's really a matter of numbers, although the numbers are variable over time.

It varies person to person, but I find that some people are more "extroverted" in certain contexts and subjects which interest them, while others are more "introverted" in topics which don't hold their interests as much.

That is, IMO, the nature of introversion. It is a myth than introverts cannot or hate social situations. While everyone is different, I can speak only for myself. Small talk is the bane of existence. If one has nothing of essence to say, one should shut up. Otherwise, I will find a way to politely (or not) move away to something of interest.

I can hold a conversation about software development topic X for probably hours with plenty of energy, yet another conversation about the weather for two minutes drains me more than the former.

Couldn't agree more, I wish more people understood that aloneness doesn't mean sadness.

Me too. The problem is that extroverts are seen as the norm in most societies and since introverts, while usually contributing a lot more, are not as well viewed.

It's the high school popularity contest over and over again (especially in the US).

The tables have and are still changing however. Those extroverts need their Facebook, Twitter, whatever to survive.

We build those systems for them.

Who's in control now?

A bit presumptuous to suggest only introverts built those (or are capable of doing it)

Yes, it is, although most developers I've met I would say are introverts. Of course, that's just anecdotal. :)

"introverts, while usually contributing a lot more"

I need some factual data confirming that.

It's not a fact, it's my opinion. AFAIK, there is no definition of "introvert" or "extrovert" by which to divide people up. But you certainly don't build software standing and talking by the water cooler. That's my experience in the industry anyway. (Unless your build process is running while you stand and talk by the water cooler).

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