Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking in Science and Inquiry

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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Susan Cain

Start date: July 1, 2021

Finish date: July 31, 2021

Discussion: Book Club 2021

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Book Club 2021

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Mar 20, 2013 Katy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: math-science

Well written and very interesting.
Nice view into the differences between extroverts and introverts; although I do think many people are somewhere in between the two.

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Jun 09, 2013 蝉肠丑别谤锄辞铀� rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, woc

Quotes & Notes:

p. 77 "In one fourth-grade classroom I visited, a big sign announced the 'Rules for Group Work,' including, YOU CAN'T ASK A TEACHER FOR HELP UNLESS EVERYONE IN YOUR GROUP HAS THE SAME QUESTION.'

p. 88-9 "There's only one problem with Osborn's breakthrough idea: group brainstorming doesn't actually work.... The one exception to this is online brainstorming."

Chap 7 Why Did Wall Street Crash and Warren Buffett Prosper?
- extroverts = more reward-sensitive
- extroverts = "geared to respo ...more

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Jan 06, 2018 Mark rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction-social-science

I grade easily on GoodReads, so it gives me a bit of regret that this book can not be distinguished from all the 5 star reviews that I give. One of the pleasures of reading is that ever so often one finds a book that is among those which speak directly to you, give you pertinent advice, and actually change your way of thinking. This is such a book for me.

When I was a kid, I preferred reading to talking to people, I got nervous to meet new people, I despised small talk, I had a petrifying fear of I grade easily on GoodReads, so it gives me a bit of regret that this book can not be distinguished from all the 5 star reviews that I give. One of the pleasures of reading is that ever so often one finds a book that is among those which speak directly to you, give you pertinent advice, and actually change your way of thinking. This is such a book for me.

When I was a kid, I preferred reading to talking to people, I got nervous to meet new people, I despised small talk, I had a petrifying fear of speaking in public, I listened most of the time, and I only would speak when I felt the topic was important. I often wondered what was wrong with me. There was nothing wrong with me. I am an introvert in a society that values and rewards more open personalities.

I got a ton of insight into myself by reading this book. Susan Cain is a self confessed introvert who began to question her nature and quit her job to find out just what was known about introversion, and what introverts could do to cope with in a world where the properties of their inherent nature are considered weaknesses or flaws.

This book includes scholarly research on introversion (there are nearly 50 pages of thoroughly annotated end notes); interviews with introverts and people that interact with them from all walks of life; interviews with experts in psychology, neuroscience, sociology, and education; and most interestingly a large amount of participatory journalism. For the last topic, Ms. Cain took courses, attended workshops, and went to self help seminars. The book answers many questions about introversion, but like all good research, the book also raises just as many new inquiries.

The book is written in an easy to read style that discusses complicated issues, but never talks above the reader's head. The book presents lots of facts and juxtaposes candid interviews with explanations by experts of the current topic. The book contains much analysis and connections of ideas from a variety of fields. The author uses personal experience both from her early life and what she experienced during the writing of the book to inform and amplify the points she learned from the research. Each chapter includes an enjoyable technique whereby a case study usually of a famous person, but sometimes one of her lesser known interview subjects is described. The person's narrative is woven through chapter to exemplify the thesis of each chapter.

The chapters of the book explore the nature and sources of introversion, the societal preference for extroversion, contrast in working styles of the two types, the biological roots of behavior, how introverts can cope in relationships and in the workplace, introversion in Eastern and Western cultures, and educational considerations for introverted children.

One of the most intriguing chapters details the relationship between the extrovert Franklin Roosevelt and the more introverted Elanor Roosevelt. When FDR was struck with polio, Elanor had to despite her reserved nature become the public face of the presidency. Her good works continued after FDR's death. Their complementary natures formed a strong team. This story prompted me to think of many introvert/extrovert teams in science and technology or history. For example:
Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs
Francis Watson and James Crick
Madam Marie Curie and Pierre Curie
Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton
Jacqueline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy
Many scientist I know and their spouses
Some of the above examples I am not completely sure of and would have to be confirmed by more research, but I think the idea is valid. Many of these are listed in the book. I think an entire other book could be written on successful introvert-extrovert teams. This is but one example of how new considerations are spawned by reading this book.

I recognized myself in many of the examples of the book. Reading this book helped me to understand myself better, and gave me concrete suggestions on how to cope with situations that make me uncomfortable as an introvert. I think this book is essential reading for introverts. It is also recommended to extroverts in the spirit of understanding the nature of introverts. For me, it was life changing.

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