Susan Cain: Quiet (2013, Penguin)
Paperback, 271 pages
English language
Published Jan. 18, 2013 by Penguin.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking is a 2012 non-fiction book written by Susan Cain. Cain argues that modern Western culture misunderstands and undervalues the traits and capabilities of introverted people, leading to "a colossal waste of talent, energy, and happiness".The book presents a history of how Western culture transformed from a culture of character to a culture of personality in which an "extrovert ideal" dominates and introversion is viewed as inferior or even pathological. Adopting scientific definitions of introversion and extroversion as preferences for different levels of stimulation, Quiet outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each temperament, emphasizing the myth of the extrovert ideal that has dominated in the West since the early twentieth century. Asserting that temperament is a core element of human identity, Cain cites research in biology, psychology, neuroscience and evolution to demonstrate that introversion is both common and normal, …
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking is a 2012 non-fiction book written by Susan Cain. Cain argues that modern Western culture misunderstands and undervalues the traits and capabilities of introverted people, leading to "a colossal waste of talent, energy, and happiness".The book presents a history of how Western culture transformed from a culture of character to a culture of personality in which an "extrovert ideal" dominates and introversion is viewed as inferior or even pathological. Adopting scientific definitions of introversion and extroversion as preferences for different levels of stimulation, Quiet outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each temperament, emphasizing the myth of the extrovert ideal that has dominated in the West since the early twentieth century. Asserting that temperament is a core element of human identity, Cain cites research in biology, psychology, neuroscience and evolution to demonstrate that introversion is both common and normal, noting that many of humankind's most creative individuals and distinguished leaders were introverts. Cain urges changes at the workplace, in schools, and in parenting; offers advice to introverts for functioning in an extrovert-dominated culture; and offers advice in communication, work, and relationships between people of differing temperament.
I can imagine this book is more entertaining as an audio book or documentary. Though as a text book I struggled to motivate myself to read a five page anecdote to learn about a single point regarding extroverts or introverts. Anecdotes were more structured around stories than topics, which later on result in some repetition. Nevertheless it provides the reader with valid points to think about.
I thought of starting this review by saying "Hi, I'm Kerry and I'm an introvert" but that's glibly disrespectful of people in 12-step (and other) programs, and besides, it perpetuates the bias against introversion. It's unfortunate that our society equates noise with quality.
This book ought to be read by those who tend toward the extroversion end of the scale. (I suspect that introverts would read this book and nod their heads, saying "Yep. Yep. True statement.")
I found the first half of the book very enjoyable. The exposé of Tony Robbins was entertaining and scary at the same time. He's figured out a way to monetize our society's discomfort with quiet! I also found it unsettling to read the portrait of Harvard Business School's uniform methodology.
I was less interested in the second half, which dealt with personal case studies.
