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Instant Messaging For Introverts

Posted by kdawson on from the jung-nailed-it-before-meyers-and-briggs dept.

adamengst tips an article up on TidBITS that explores the persistent reluctance of many nerds to embrace fully new communications media such as IM and Twitter. In this thoughtful article Joe Kissell explores, from the inside, the mind of the introvert and how this personality style often struggles with new "always-on" media. The result is a sometimes exasperated incomprehension on the part of the more extroverted. Well worth a read.

4 of 311 comments (clear)

  1. Invisibility by dreamchaser · · Score: 3, Informative

    I just stay invisible on IM most of the time. If someone is on that I want to talk to, I can message them. My close friends and family know that if I am around I'll answer them even if they can't see them.

    I also don't feel the need to instantly answer, even on private work related IM. If it's urgent sure, but urgent matters warrant a phone call generally. I place IM somewhere in between email and phone for the sense of urgency factor. Of course the actual content and context of the message matters and everything in life should be taken case by case :)

    People stress themselves out too much with the 'OMG I JUST GOT IM'ED I'D BETTER ANSWER RIGHT AWAY'.

  2. introverts and IM by v1 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I don't believe introverts regard IM the same way as face-to-face communications. I know a lot of people that are socially very shy in public, that practically live in IM or WOW etc.

    --
    I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
  3. Use IRC instead... by ciggieposeur · · Score: 2, Informative

    I only get on the IM networks when I have lots of time to blow off -- e.g. practically never. But I would do IRC at work in a heartbeat if only I could get most of my co-workers to use it.

    I don't know exactly why it works, but somehow IRC (especially with a good GUI client) takes the edge of IM just enough that it becomes a useful communication tool rather than constant interruptions. But you can still DCC someone to get IM-like functionality, even with file transfers.

  4. Getting interrupted is your own fault by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    I have irssi running in screen on a home server, so I can remotely attach to it and detach from it at will from my desktop computer, or from anywhere else. Irssi is connected to several IRC networks, and through BitlBee to one IM network. With this configuration I'm online 24/7, and always in "Available" mode on all the networks, including the IM network.

    However, I'm never interrupted by this configuration. Through irssi I don't get any popups when someone says something to me, so I check the client when I want to, not when someone else wants me to. If I happen to be actually looking at the client and willing to chat when someone has something to say to me, good for them, but otherwise I'll just get back to them when it's a good time for me.

    Following the same philosophy I send messages other people. If I have something to say to someone, I send the message when it's good time for me - completely ignoring the mode they have set themselves in (for example "busy"). If their client somehow interrupts them, it's their own fault. If it annoys them, they should configure their client not to interrupt them, or get a better client. I only expect that eventually - maybe - they will read the message I sent to them, and answer it if necessary. If they happen to be willing to chat right when I send the message, good for me.