File: 1432592665928.jpg (74 KB, 587x384) Image search: [Google]

74 KB, 587x384

The internet has always had a disproportionately high number of introverts. It's obvious when you think about it: there's a self-selection bias because the people most likely to be spending their time alone with their computers are also likely to be introverted. The growth of the internet has enabled many introverts to expand their horizons with respect to their communication with others, in addition to facilitating forms of expression and discourse barely possible for them in the real world, including, naturally, discussion regarding introversion and being introverted. This discussion is great because it allows introverts to talk honestly, share experiences, and relate to others when there may not be anyone in their daily life they can do this for. However, over time, introversion seems to have been glorified by certain posters online and now I think I'm seeing people going out of their way to bring up their introversion or being especially hyperbolic about their introversion. I can understand why people may think identifying as introverted would desirable: the term is commonly associated with introspection, thoughtfulness, reflection, etc., so the connotations linked with the term, in conjunction with just how readily I've seen the word used (especially within the past year or two) has led me to suspect that many people online aren't quite as introverted as they claim. I could be totally wrong and everyone I interact with online is genuinely so introverted they've never left their house and because - basically, by definition - I've never met anyone like that, I've assumed they don't exist. I doubt it, though, and I think on average people tend to overestimate their level of introversion.