It's no longer a secret that introversion has become a recent fad and a mark of an individual who is somehow more outstanding and ostensibly unique than an equivalent extrovert (when there really is just 1 out of 2 chances that you are either). Gone are the days when people misunderstand the intentions of introverts and look dismiss them as a social recluse or harshly said, a hermit without a knack for social intercourse. Now, people respect introverts and know that their silence is merely a precursor for a standing ovation.

But that's not really the point of introversion is it. I for one, as an introvert (and quite frankly, an equally extroverted individuals scoring just a single point more for being an I in my MBTI), reckon that way people are cognizant of how we as introverts function make it less appealing than it is before. True, we no longer need to be worried about misunderstandings over social mishaps but it takes away the mystery of being an introvert and carrying out deep processing internally.

We used to be get judged by others while we judge them and that was a pretty good trade off. People would think we were zoning out when we were in fact recording every minute detail into pixels (they have to be that small when you process so much) that goes straight into our storage for whenever we need to make a sound judgement about this person again. While extroverts go all out to try to extract information from you, your silence leaves them helpless and defenseless whilst you continue to analyze their every action and translate that into memories. We always had the upper hand; we gave people the impression we were dumb, but we always had the last laugh.

But look at us now. We've already lost the battle before we even start. Our silence is now more jarring than it has ever been and without mouthing a word, and simply because not a word will be said, extroverts know us already. "That guy's an introvert. He thinks aloud in his head and he thinks he knows us so well because he's silently absorbing and analyzing whatever we're doing. That sounds pretty cool huh? Well, at least those comic strips make them look cool."

Yea the comic strips. We've been reduced to nothing more than deep phrases which attempt to encapsulate the way an introvert works when all along, our purpose has been to do that about others, not be figured out that quickly. We speak last because we want to know everything before we say anything and not because we have nothing new to add since everyone knows what we're going to say now.

And not to mention people try to be introverted and it's become such a convenient excuse. "I'm not socially awkward you know, just an introvert and I need my quality personal time." Just, I'm introverted and that fucking excuses me from social activity and makes me all the more special than you smirk-faced extroverts.

Are you kidding me?!

Introverts are supposed to live a lie. We put up with the noise and join in the chaos so we can blend in, and then learn more. But now when we try to fit in, they'll all know that that's just an introvert trying his best to fit in with the rest of the word, and obviously failing miserably at that.

We used to stand out because we didn't do and say anything, because we hid behind our windows and stared as the world passed us by, oblivious of our findings.

But now we stick out like a sore thumb, hiding behind the barricades that are the walls adjacent to the windows, as passers-by relentlessly stare past our looking glass, taunting us to step out and take a look at them, so they can stare right back, straight through our souls and know that they already figured us out through and through.

We are now vulnerable, and no longer special. The way introverts work is special but introverts no longer belong to the same category. It's pretty much how technology is such a breathtaking concept but some machines like a Nokia handphone just leaves you bathing in shame. It's that same feeling.

Just worse. And add a comic strip to that.