Quiet - The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking

I finished reading Susan Cain's book, Quiet - The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, the day my family departed from a four-day visit. At the beginning of her book, she describes a typical evening from her childhood in which her mom, dad, brother, and sister would cozily sit together in the living room reading their respective books by the fire. To her, this family social behavior was normal, and it wasn't until she got shuttled off to summer camp as a pre-teen that she realized that her version of "normal" was anything but.

This scene could have described my family. Introversion is embedded in much of my family's DNA every bit as much as blue-eyes and left-handedness, and this truth is always more apparent after a family visit. As is often the case, the introverts have married extraverts allowing their spouse to do most of the heavy-lifting when it comes to socializing.

Ms. Cain's book is another voice bringing attention to the gregarious lifestyle so prevalent in American culture today. From the cooperative learning pods in the classroom, wallless offices in the workplace, and open floor plans in homes, there is little effort made to accommodate anyone who might not crave so much togetherness. Her research reminds us that although introverts make up the minority (in Western culture), we all can benefit from their quiet contemplation and introspection. We should celebrate their difference.



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