Mercenary Pen's Meticulously Planned Machine of Prose Random Banter #182

[Mercenary Pen]

A nice definition of introverted I heard at some point was that an introvert has to expend energy to interact with people, while an extrovert gains energy by interacting with people. It fits at least within my own anecdotal evidence.

Fits well with my experience as well, and I really do find interacting with people quite draining (particularly in real life)

[Aedilred]

I've also heard that definition, and I'm inclined to agree with it. My definition of a friend is basically someone who it doesn't cost me too much energy to spend time with.

[Rawhide]

A nice definition of introverted I heard at some point was that an introvert has to expend energy to interact with people, while an extrovert gains energy by interacting with people. It fits at least within my own anecdotal evidence.

Like this?

[Saithis Bladewing]

Precisely. As an introvert that precisely matches how I feel, and I think that's a large part of why introverts are drawn to the internet - you have near total control over when you are or aren't spending time with other people. Just my thinking anyway. I don't mind spending time with people (it can be quite fun at times) but the more I do so the more frustrated and tired I get.

[Aedilred]

I've also heard that definition, and I'm inclined to agree with it. My definition of a friend is basically someone who it doesn't cost me too much energy to spend time with.

[Mercenary Pen]

I've also heard that definition, and I'm inclined to agree with it. My definition of a friend is basically someone who it doesn't cost me too much energy to spend time with.

I'd personally expand it to include those people that you get a good return from on the energy spent interacting with them,but otherwise mine is much the same.

[Rawhide]

Dear [Introverted Person],

Would you care to share your energy reserves with me for a day of fun and frivolity, then leaving you with the requisite downtime to recharge, before returning to mutually enjoyable energy sharing activites?

Regards,
An interested person

[Devmaar]

Ok, now I need... at least 18 forumers (gonna put 'Every single banned member' in the power ranger spot) and gonna need a LOT of rhyming >.> That's gonna take a while... come back to it later.

I'll do it!

Oh! Ohhhhh. Mwahahahaha!

I'm not an introvert in the slightest! I'm not even anti-social, I just am really bad at people, so nobody who is around me in real time likes me!

I'm like that, but people still seem to like me, which just makes me more awkward...

[Saithis Bladewing]

Dear [Introverted Person],

Would you care to share your energy reserves with me for a day of fun and frivolity, then leaving you with the requisite downtime to recharge, before returning to mutually enjoyable energy sharing activites?

Regards,
An interested person

Dear [Inquirer],

Thank you for making the time to file this well-laid out request. I of course was intrigued at your proposal of a day spent engaging in fun and frivolity, and am pleased you offered up the downtime required to recover from such an event in advance. Having cross-referenced with my other options and weighed in the pros and cons, I would be willing to engage in said fun and frivolity at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
An Introvert

[AtlanteanTroll]

Hey Rawhide, what's up with your new avatar?

[Rawhide]

Hey Rawhide, what's up with your new avatar?

It was the only costume they had left!

[AtlanteanTroll]

It was the only costume they had left!

Who is the "they" in this particular situation?

[Teddy]

Well, to be fair, nobody uses LaLa either, just Zodi, so maybe nicknames are just a lot harder than Toph and Sokka make it seem.

...
I've been using it all the time from the day you introduced it. I even call Canada "LaLaLand" from time to time.

I'm not an introvert in the slightest! I'm not even anti-social, I just am really bad at people, so nobody who is around me in real time likes me!

By "anti-social", I seriously hope you mean the social destructive psychopath type of personality, because I really don't like it when people mix it up with "asocial". I think it's because I reckon that if it keeps going, someone will eventually call me anti-social, and one of my greatest fears is that my presence makes others lives less enjoyable...

There's nothing wrong with being introverted. It's just that modern society is arranged in such a way as to reward extroverts disproportionately, and we're encouraged to think of introversion as weird.

Given, our status has increased quite a lot in later years. We're still seen as weird by many, but at least people know that we can be successful as well...

[Rawhide]

Who is the "they" in this particular situation?

The costume shop.

By "anti-social", I seriously hope you mean the social destructive psychopath type of personality, because I really don't like it when people mix it up with "asocial". I think it's because I reckon that if it keeps going, someone will eventually call me anti-social, and one of my greatest fears is that my presence makes others lives less enjoyable...

There is no mixup, antisocial is the correct term. Asocial would also be applicable, but is much less frequently used.

[HalfTangible]

DeathBattle is finally doing Goku VS Superman.

...

My money's on Goku >.> He lives in a setting where planets are blown up by people he can own IN HIS SLEEP

[LaZodiac]

In all seriousness, the winner relies on wheter or not Chi is a type of magical ability. Because if it is, Goku will win. If it's not, Superman will win. Superman's only weak to magic and kryptonite. If Goku's only got sheer strength on his side he loses because Superman is just that powerful.

[Teddy]

There is no mixup, antisocial is the correct term. Asocial would also be applicable, but is much less frequently used.

They are two completely different things. Asocial behaviour is when you don't do social interaction. Antisocial behaviour is, and I quote the Wikipedia page on the subject, "behaviour that lacks consideration for others and may cause damage to the society". Asociality is a commonly occuring trait among introverts. Antisociality is more commonly associated with psychopaths (who very well can be highly extroverted). I refuse to draw a connection between these two groups (apart from that they mostly consist of humans).

And as for Moonie, while she is probably correct in that she isn't antisocial (she doesn't seem so to me at least), the context of the conversation makes it more likely that she meant that she isn't even asocial, it's just that no one wants to socialise with her (which doesn't seem entirely true either).

[Rawhide]

They are two completely different things. Asocial behaviour is when you don't do social interaction. Antisocial behaviour is, and I quote the Wikipedia page on the subject, "behaviour that lacks consideration for others and may cause damage to the society". Asociality is a commonly occuring trait among introverts. Antisociality is more commonly associated with psychopaths (who very well can be highly extroverted). I refuse to draw a connection between these two groups (apart from that they mostly consist of humans).

No, that is only one use of the term antisocial. It's not even the one listed first in most dictionary definitions.

wiktionary:
1. Unwilling or unable to associate normally with other people

Merriam-Webster:
1. averse to the society of others : unsociable

WordWeb.info:
1. Shunning contact with others
"standoffish and antisocial"; "he's not antisocial; just shy"

Dictionary.com:
1. unwilling or unable to associate in a normal or friendly way with other people: He's not antisocial, just shy.

The Free Dictionary:
1. Shunning the society of others; not sociable.

Oxford Dictionary:
2. not sociable or wanting the company of others.

Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary:
2. Antisocial also means not wanting to spend time with or be friendly with other people:
If you don’t hang out with your friends, they’ll consider you weird and antisocial.

Your Dictionary:
1. Antisocial describes someone who is unable, or chooses not, to spend time with other people, and sometimes expresses their feelings in an unkind or rude way.
An example of an antisocial person is a hermit.

[Teddy]

No, that is only one use of the term antisocial. It's not even the one listed first in dictionary definitions.

...
I just realised a very annoying thing with Internet discussions: There're very few ways to concede with grace if you still don't quite agree with the point. You can just leave the discussion, but that's pretty much the equivalent to ragequitting, and since you lack the ability to express a tone of voice, it's hard to show a wish to end the discussion without having to write "I CONCEDE" all over the place...

However, I made a minor observation that none of the dictionaries define anti- and asocial quite the same in the first line, and I generally prefered the first definition of asocial over the one of antisocial...

[Mynxae]

I know I am anti-social, but that's mainly because I've been tested and was told I have a social phobia. Also having extreme anxiety disorder doesn't help, but it's easy to deal with 90% of the time. The 10% that it's not easy, I have friends and loud music.

But seriously - Sometimes I can't even go out in public 'cause I feel afraid and have no clue why. /shrugs I just do. Gaming is my life most of the time so it doesn't matter, but when I need to leave the house for some reason, and I'm alone? Yeah, not a good idea. Which reminds me, I need to see my counsellor sometime this week... There's a complicated situation which developed these problems which I can elaborate in PM if anyone wants, but I'd rather not go into it in a public place like this.

EDIT: Also it's 3am here so night all! *waves*

And for a little goodnight humour...

Spoiler

Show

[Mutant Sheep]

There's nothing wrong with being introverted. It's just that modern society is arranged in such a way as to reward extroverts disproportionately, and we're encouraged to think of introversion as weird.

Extroversion is GOOD though. Extroverts know other extroverts ad have more connections, its the way humans work. It's not disproportionate, its that introverts don't get rewards from the things they don't do.

I've also heard that definition, and I'm inclined to agree with it. My definition of a friend is basically someone who it doesn't cost me too much energy to spend time with.

My definition of friend is "someone who turns me into an extrovert for a few hours".

Dear [Inquirer],

Thank you for making the time to file this well-laid out request. I of course was intrigued at your proposal of a day spent engaging in fun and frivolity, and am pleased you offered up the downtime required to recover from such an event in advance. Having cross-referenced with my other options and weighed in the pros and cons, I would be willing to engage in said fun and frivolity at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
An Introvert

That last part creeps me out.

I know I am anti-social, but that's mainly because I've been tested and was told I have a social phobia. Also having extreme anxiety disorder doesn't help, but it's easy to deal with 90% of the time. The 10% that it's not easy, I have friends and loud music.

Loud moosic is a great temporary antidote for pains.

But seriously - Sometimes I can't even go out in public 'cause I feel afraid and have no clue why. /shrugs I just do. Gaming is my life most of the time so it doesn't matter, but when I need to leave the house for some reason, and I'm alone? Yeah, not a good idea. Which reminds me, I need to see my counsellor sometime this week... There's a complicated situation which developed these problems which I can elaborate in PM if anyone wants, but I'd rather not go into it in a public place like this.

I used to be very asocial. Then I took walks to *local thing* every week and got used to being in public.

And for a little goodnight humour...

Spoiler

Show

*Not a fan of murder-jokes.*

[AtlanteanTroll]

It's not a murder joke, it's a Batman joke. And an extremely old one at that.

Why is it we're never on AIM at the same time?

[MoonCat]

A nice definition of introverted I heard at some point was that an introvert has to expend energy to interact with people, while an extrovert gains energy by interacting with people. It fits at least within my own anecdotal evidence.

Yup, that's the one I heard as a child, and use to this day. I always seek out the people who make me feel like I can do more after hanging out with them, since every so often I'll meet a person who can do that. Crush, blacksmith friend, friend who is like a female Black Star...

I'm like that, but people still seem to like me, which just makes me more awkward...

You are so, so lucky.

Actually, my brother is a lot like that. At school, he refused to do anything he did not want to do (He did not write anything down longer than a sentence fragment for two years, par example.), didn't talk to people, did all the Socially Wrong Things (he dressed like L every day, except his clothes were dirty and smelly and his jeans were covered with holes, as were his five-year-old shoes. He slouched in school and talked like a robot, sang at weird times and didn't make eye contact), and he had tons of friends who all looked up to him because he was the smartest person in the school as well as a brilliant actor, and they all attempted to stay in contact with him after he dropped out of high school because the colleges and jobs were offering him spots anyway.

I wear clothes I despise because I was picked on for wearing skirts to school, I try incredibly hard at school, I talk to people every day, and people tend to avoid me/don't like me/get really annoyed with me after a few days of friendship.

hmm. Turned into a rant about me being second-rate again. Sorry. In any case, even if you don't use it, don't resent them liking you, it may be useful to have such a high charisma Dev.

...
I've been using it all the time from the day you introduced it. I even call Canada "LaLaLand" from time to time.

By "anti-social", I seriously hope you mean the social destructive psychopath type of personality, because I really don't like it when people mix it up with "asocial". I think it's because I reckon that if it keeps going, someone will eventually call me anti-social, and one of my greatest fears is that my presence makes others lives less enjoyable...

you do? I... didn't notice. I'm sorry. <hugsfor forgivenessplease?>

I use both terms, but technically, I count as asocial, so I can't say that I'm not. However, I am not antisocial (just awkward as hell).
<hugs> Your presence doesn't make our lives less enjoyable online in the slightest. How would you say you differ Out There, if you fear such a thing?

ION: SO it turns out if I don't keep a laptop in my room I sleep in until 10:30 because I refuse to go all the way downstairs to my computer at the six AM when I was first awake. Good thing to know, I suppose.

[LaZodiac]

...
I just realised a very annoying thing with Internet discussions: There're very few ways to concede with grace if you still don't quite agree with the point. You can just leave the discussion, but that's pretty much the equivalent to ragequitting, and since you lack the ability to express a tone of voice, it's hard to show a wish to end the discussion without having to write "I CONCEDE" all over the place...

However, I made a minor observation that none of the dictionaries define anti- and asocial quite the same in the first line, and I generally prefered the first definition of asocial over the one of antisocial...

Sometimes, you just have to be blunt Teddy. It's as simple as that. "I may disagree with you, but you're made a good point and in terms of actually debating you made a really good point. Lets drop it and have some internet tea."

Yup, that's the one I heard as a child, and use to this day. I always seek out the people who make me feel like I can do more after hanging out with them, since every so often I'll meet a person who can do that. Crush, blacksmith friend, friend who is like a female Black Star...

ION: SO it turns out if I don't keep a laptop in my room I sleep in until 10:30 because I refuse to go all the way downstairs to my computer at the six AM when I was first awake. Good thing to know, I suppose.

Hehe, female Blackstar. You need to get online so I can show you the Lust Chapter of Sage Ebon's book

Always keep your laptop in your room. It's why I do, and I'm totally well adjusted (doesn't leave my room at all except to go to the washroom or get food).

[Devmaar]

Always keep your laptop in your room. It's why I do, and I'm totally well adjusted (doesn't leave my room at all except to go to the washroom or get food).

I don't need to leave my room for the washroom

[Teddy]

you do? I... didn't notice. I'm sorry. <hugsfor forgivenessplease?>

I've become so used to being overlooked that I'm almost shocked when people realise my existence (unless it comes to asking for help, in which case I'm the number one you turn to. It's even says so in my student hat). That you're forgiven should be a given.

I use both terms, but technically, I count as asocial, so I can't say that I'm not. However, I am not antisocial (just awkward as hell).

Well, a point back when I still was trying to keep the name of the two concepts apart was that being antisocial says nothing about your ability to socialise. Just look at the stereotypical popular schoolyard bully that everyone wants to hang with for some odd reason. That's probably because the person is genuinely interesting to start with. There was a guy in the same crowd as I hung together through grade 7-9 who always had something interesting to talk crackpot about, but he certainly had socially destructive tendencies... (I'm not proud of those years...)

<hugs> Your presence doesn't make our lives less enjoyable online in the slightest. How would you say you differ Out There, if you fear such a thing?

I have to be a lot more conscious about how I act among people offline as I have a lot less time to think over my words and actions. Also, as opposed to Elden, I'm terrible at reading people. Apart from that, who said that fears have to listen to reason?

[MoonCat]

Hehe, female Blackstar. You need to get online so I can show you the Lust Chapter of Sage Ebon's book

Always keep your laptop in your room. It's why I do, and I'm totally well adjusted (doesn't leave my room at all except to go to the washroom or get food).

Can't go online right now. My brain is distracted. But seriously, my friend is EXACTLY like Black Star. Everyone who meets her says it. They then proceed to either call me Death the Kid or Crona, all fem!Black Star thinks I'm more like the Grim Reaper himself.

I also know a girl who is exactly the same as Maka. Not even kidding, my school has both of them.

Yes, but my mom went off to college today, so she wanted it, because it technically belongs to her. And LaLa, you need to go outside more. <hugs> Take swimming lessons! Just a wild stab in the dark here, but was your only socialization time school, back when you went there?

I don't need to leave my room for the washroom

I probably shouldn't have laughed as hard as I did.

[Devmaar]

I probably shouldn't have laughed as hard as I did.

What can I say, I'm hilarious

[tyckspoon]

Hehe, female Blackstar. You need to get online so I can show you the Lust Chapter of Sage Ebon's book

Eh. FemKilik's cuter. Also, stop disrespecting Black*Star! Spell his name correctly!

[MoonCat]

I've become so used to being overlooked that I'm almost shocked when people realise my existence (unless it comes to asking for help, in which case I'm the number one you turn to. It's even says so in my student hat). That you're forgiven should be a given.

Well, a point back when I still was trying to keep the name of the two concepts apart was that being antisocial says nothing about your ability to socialise. Just look at the stereotypical popular schoolyard bully that everyone wants to hang with for some odd reason. That's probably because the person is genuinely interesting to start with. There was a guy in the same crowd as I hung together through grade 7-9 who always had something interesting to talk crackpot about, but he certainly had socially destructive tendencies... (I'm not proud of those years...)

I have to be a lot more conscious about how I act among people offline as I have a lot less time to think over my words and actions. Also, as opposed to Elden, I'm terrible at reading people. Apart from that, who said that fears have to listen to reason?

I just... I'm still really sorry! Aaah!
Interesting though. Nobody in my school asks for my help, despite the fact they all outright call me a genius (they are still very very wrong.) And now I want a picture of your hat. Preferably with the super-sexy Teddy inside.

Indeed. Which is why I say I'm not even antisocial, as in, I have the ability, but prefer ruining stuff. I just... don't have people skills. <hugs> I'm sorry about those years. Trust me, I think everyone has years that they just don't like themselves in retrospect.

Elden...can...read..people? WELL? What is this, and since WHEN?!?

What can I say, I'm hilarious

Eh. FemKilik's cuter. Also, stop disrespecting Black*Star! Spell his name correctly!