Personality Classification

Introvert vs. Extrovert.

Ostensibly, the idea is that all of humanity can be split into two classes: those that are inwardly focused, and those that are outwardly focused. As interesting as that idea is, its not really thought of that way anymore.

These days, it means that either you like people. Or you don’t.

I’m an introvert. So I don’t like people.

You can see why I dislike this system.

I’ve been thinking about the two types of people out there and came to conclusion. Extroverts love this system. Who’s seen as the quintessential extrovert? The social butterfly. The girl (or guy) who loves to be around people, who everyone tries to be like and tries to be around, and who always has the best jokes and conversations at the party.

And who’s the quintessential introvert? The homebody: unkempt, unfashionable, agoraphobic, antisocial , and most likely a serial killer.

But what irritates me the most, is that the underlying assumption is that social interaction is the single most defining attribute of one’s identity. Or at least, one’s personality. To an extrovert – this makes sense. To me?

Not so much.

I thought about what a system would look like if it was based on a person’s movement – both physical and metaphorical. This story is the product of those thoughts.

~~~

Victoria

“It is such a beautiful day!” She grinned and twirled, skating ahead in a rush of ecstatic energy before rushing back to him as he critically examined the clear blue above them.

“Yeah.” He agreed. “It’s nice out.”

“Thanks for going on a walk with me.”

“Well,” he smiled wryly, “you can’t stay in all the time.”

She laughed, “Nope.”

Her figure flitted ahead, disappearing among the mingling victorias. There were a few pedestrians, one pushing an elderly inert in a wheelchair. He slowed and sat on a park bench, and looked back up at the ascendants pirouetting across the sky.

“They’re so beautiful.” She was back, leaning against him. Watching the ascendants fly.

“A bit too light on their feet, for my taste.”

“When we die and go to heaven,” she smiled, “I bet everyone there will be an ascendant. Not a fud like you.” She laughed to show she was joking. Mostly.

He blinked when one of the flying forms swooped down and landed before them. She sat straighter and ran a hand through her hair. “Hi.”

“I noticed you watching. Would you like to come with me?” The ascendant didn’t look at him. They didn’t often notice pedestrians.

“But…” She glanced at her companion, “I’m just a victoria. How -”

“I’ll carry you.” He stretched out his hand, and she took it.

A moment later they were together in the sky. The ascendant spun her around, and she laughed for the joy of it. She didn’t look down.

Back on the bench, the pedestrian looked down at his feet. He stood and walked back home.