Extrovert here.
It's weird to me that on a message board ie. a place specifically designed to socialize with others- there are so many self avowed introverts.
I've thought about this seeming paradox.
My conclusion is that since the interaction is via keyboard and not physically personal, the introverts are not as reticent as they would be in an in-the-flesh interaction; thus, they emerge from their cocoon.
What do you think?
Introvert does NOT equal shy or (necessarily) lack of desire to socialize. I'm definitely an introvert and I LOVE socializing, but only under circumstances that I like and with people I like. I also am not shy...I have no trouble at all giving speeches to lecture halls of a 100 people. I am not self-conscious, either.
Introverts simply are easily overwhelmed and drained by stimuli that they can't control, and socializing in person can sometimes be too stimulating (depending on the specifics). But so can lots of other situations that don't involve socializing with people (e.g., just shopping at a mall can be too stimulating to me, even if I don't talk to anyone while I'm there).
But internet exchanges are very limited-stimuli socializing (no visual and audio cues to instantly respond to and interpret), control over where and when you interact), quiet one on one interactions in person are usually slightly stimulating, more boisterous interactions with one person or interactions one on one with a person you don't know well are even more stimulating, and big groups are the most stimulating.
I can socialize 18 hours a day with the handful of people I know and like who don't overstimulate me, such as husband and sisters. I need VERY little 'recovery' time from them, if any. Whereas, attending a party consisting of a few friends might cause me to withdraw for a couple days. If I actually attend a large party with a bunch of people I don't know, I will want to recharge for several weeks afterward.
Incidentally, it is possible to be an extrovert who doesn't particularly like socializing with anything other than a small group of close friends, too. I know extroverts who are relatively uninterested in random socializing, but require some kind of constant stimulus...loud music, constant activity, etc.