LIFE
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 31
The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking DANIEL COLE
daniel@carib101.com
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
“I need space from a world that is filled with millions of mouths that talk too much but never have anything to say.” Kaitlin Foster. Our lives are shaped as profoundly by personality as by gender or race. Introversion and extroversion are two of the most exhaustively researched subjects in personality psychology. Our choice of friends, how we make conversation, how we resolve conflict or differences, how we show love, and the career we choose are all influenced by our personality type. In a world that values extroverts, it can be easy to feel like an introvert is at a disadvantage. After all, introverts are often seen as shy, reserved, and even an-
tisocial. However, the truth is that introverts have a lot of power. The challenge today is our social culture only makes room for a narrow personality style, the extroverts. We live with a value system that places a premium on charisma and showmanship. On social media, the loudest is considered the wisest. The belief that the ideal self is gregarious, alpha, and comfortable in the spotlight is not a true representation of all personalities. Talkative people, for example, are rated smarter, better-looking, more interesting, and more desirable as friends. We substitute or equate velocity and volume of speech with ingenuity and competence - even though there is zero correlation between the gift of gab and good ideas. Introversion is often perceived to be lazy, socially awkward, slow, hard to get along with, and dull, to name a few. Nothing could be further from the truth. The world has both been shaped by extroverts and introverts. A few inventions by introverts include the following: • •
The theory of gravity, postulated by Isaac Newton The theory of relativity, postulated
• • • •
by Albert Einstein Google, co-founded by Larry Page Harry Potter, by J.K Rowling Schindler’s List, directed by Steven Spielberg The theory of evolution, by Charles Darwin, to name a few
We have the Martin Luther Kings of this world and Rosa Parks, who both stood for the same thing, fighting white supremacy and racial discrimination of their time. However, while we still remember MLK for his fights and many great speeches, one of the few words we remember Rosa Parks saying was “No.” Two characters, but that word sparks a revolution. She won’t give away her seat for a white passenger. Parks didn’t have the stuff to thrill the crowd, she’s not given to oratory skills, but even in her quite boldness, she was heard. The true power of an introvert is the ability to tune in to their inner worlds, keeping to themselves and unfazed by the opinion of others. Let’s look at some of the distinctive qualities of an introvert. Introverts focus on the meaning they make of the events swirling around them; extroverts plunge into the events themselves. Intro-
verts recharge their batteries by being alone; extroverts need to recharge when they socialize. Introverts express themselves better in writing than they do in conversation. They prefer deep conversation to small talk. The reality is there is no such thing as a pure extrovert or pure introvert. Such a person would be in a lunatic asylum. Social interaction helps our cognitive development. The assertions that introverts are faring better than their extroverted counterparts in the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown lack empirical research backing and seem counterintuitive. Introversion and mental health are two different case studies. To introverts, your superpower is your ability to manage your solitude. The ability to connect to your inner self, to birth ideas and thoughts that will make our world a better place, not intimidated, not cowering, and not apologetic. In the age of digital noise and social amplification, staying true to your creative ability is your greatest asset. Be careful of energy exchange; choose your circle unapologetically. Remember, the last frontier of privacy is your mind.
Power, politics and money; the very mix that keeps a few at elite status STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com
INSIGHT TO SOCIETY
A question was asked to 1,200 readers of a South American Newspaper between September and October (2022),”To what extent do you consider that offering bribes, payments in money or favours, will expedite the procedures with government agencies?” Of those asked this question, some 44% of the survey gave an affirmative answer. A specialist in finances (who wished anonymity) said these results were due to the deteriorating governmental management throughout LatinCentral-Caribbean and Mexican Regions. While the survey was carried out by
phone, it was noted that respondents showed high levels of stress and fear, perhaps showing that the 44% was actually lower than the actual percentage. The pandemic has made it easier to hide illegal operations and offer malcontents opportunities of fraud, theft and misdirection. Economists and Law Enforcement Officials have pointed out the other side of this coin of corruption. The reason bribery is executed is because it is the only way to speed up procedures. This could also imply that bribery fuels corruption at all levels of government. In September 2022 the World Bank reported that improving government effectiveness and transparency will fight corruption within the public sector, while admitting that within many societies corrupt behaviour is deeply rooted: historically, economically and within their political cultures. Ultimately there is a very strong relationship between power, politics and money. The health, property manage-
ment and maritime ports sectors are the three main sectors where corruption has significant sway. The health sector is plagued by widespread corruption, while human development suffers. A person can wait for toilet paper or pay someone for a roll. Need a quick surgery to save a loved one? Pay the medical administrator, nurses and doctors for an immediate response. Corruption in land administration can undermine land reform and citizens trust in the government as a whole. Corrupt officials allow the illegal encroachment of land speculators upon Aboriginal and poverty-stricken lands. Corruption in maritime ports directly affects trade and the investment climate in countries, while also affecting the prices of imported products. How do smugglers of illegal products and human smuggling get away with it? They pay off some public officials. Interestingly, 68% of the Mexican respondents spoke to bribing public officials.
The first world also experiences this pandemic of corruption, but it is hidden, less openly accessible to the public. Land developers looking for a favour or two can approach local government officials making small salaries. One hand washes the other. Ever ask yourself how a public official can start their public career being worth say $400,000, and after ten years of public service, leave office a multi-millionaire? Power, politics and money; the very mix that keeps a few at elite status, while the rest of us working stiffs carry on living. Fear of loss is often the tool that builds corruption actions. Fear of loss of anything, like your money, land, family members, prestige and health can cause you to react in the negative, and do the unexpected, like bribing another to get what you want and need. John Steinbeck wrote, “Power doesn’t corrupt, Fear corrupts...perhaps the fear of a loss of power.”