Emma+Z’s+Final+AmEx+Speech+2017

This speech is probably the most i’ve ever procrastinated on an assignment. I mean, I tried to come up with ideas; at night I would write down any idea that came to mind no matter whether or not I really liked it, but this just lead to me finding things like “i hate teenagers” and “oatmeal brain”. So then I started thinking about speeches in general, why do we even need speeches? What’s the point? I’m told it’s to “prepare us for the future”, but if the future involves giving speeches, then count me out. Obviously presenting your ideas to others is an important skill, but it also makes me think that America is a very pro-extrovert society. Even outgoing introverts (introverted and shy aren’t the same thing) may struggle in a world that expects them to thrive with constant social stimulation. Schools, workplaces, people in general, are always promoting working together and being social. Of course, introverts are valued in the stereotypical roles of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, or writers, but when you envision the typical leader, they’re an outgoing extrovert. Some of the most valued traits in society are being sociable and being charming and influential. It’s not often that you hear someone say the quality they want most is to be nice, or to have integrity or honesty. Often when someone tells you that you’re “nice”, it’s almost an insult since it just seems like they don’t know you well enough to think of anything better. But shouldn’t how NICE :) someone is be extremely important? Shouldn’t everyone strive to be kind individuals? NOPE, instead each one of you should strive to be rich, famous, and powerful, because that is what equals success in our society!! You should want people to call you good looking or funny, and throw whatever character you might have had to the side, because who cares about that?

In today’s ever stimulated, ever busy society, many important qualities go underappreciated. In a group of people, whoever can get up and speak eloquently almost always assumes leadership, and the good ideas of those around them are often overshadowed by the louder ideas of the talker. Leadership roles in America are filled by extroverts 96% of the time, yet extroverts only make up a little over half of the population! There is zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas, so we could all be following idiots just because they know how to make themselves sound convincing! How smart someone seems and how smart they actually are, are two very different things. For example, I like to think I’m smart, but when I was little I used to go up to my mom and ask “what’s our cat’s name again?”.

Personally I would rather be led by someone who I know has quiet, but brilliant ideas, than by someone who just knows how to use big words to make themselves sound smart. I’m not trying to say extroverts can’t be great leaders, When Maizie and Gabby contribute to discussions, they aren’t all talk, their ideas really are important and well thought out, but what I do question is why being introverted and being extroverted aren’t always seen as being equal. Even when they aren’t leading, introverts play an important roles as the listeners and followers. There would be no talkers or leaders if no one was there to support them, so having the qualities of a good listener should be just as valued as having the qualities of a good leader. The majority of the population finds being extroverted more preferable as extroverted often seems to equal happier and more successful and being introverted is often interpreted to mean being anti social or unopinionated. Introverted people are often seen as lacking in personality or thought, but when forced to be in a social situation, it is natural for introverts to be reluctant to share their ideas or experiences, which can often be perceived as simply being secretive or even dumb.

The typical “cool” person is definitely an extrovert. A “lame” person enjoys spending time alone reading, watching tv, doing whatever hobbies they have, typically an introvert. I’ve been told that I am extremely lame, but I’m okay with that. To me someone isn’t cool or lame because they fit a set of stereotypes, I don’t believe that there should be an ideal set of traits. I think Emily is cool because the things that come out of her mouth never cease to surprise me and make me laugh, I think Becca’s cool because she can read 80 books in 10 weeks, I think Cheryl’s cool because she is genuinely nice and I mean that in the best way possible( and she sends me pictures of her cat)! People should be appreciated for their differences, and to me someone is cool if they are being themselves, and not trying to be something or someone that they’re not.

Taking time to find solitude is important for both introverts and extroverts in order for them to discover who they are and what they value. People today are spread too thin, they are always busy and aren’t even alone in their own rooms where their phones keep them constantly connected to the outside world. A life changing epiphany or ground breaking discovery may never be made if no one takes the time to think for themselves. Solitude is also important because brains are kind of like oatmeal. They’ll taste like whatever you put in them, so sometimes that original flavor can be lost amongst all the topping it comes in contact with. I’m pretty sure that’s the sucky metaphor night time me meant by “oatmeal brain”, but you get what I’m saying. Sometimes you need to be alone to figure out what ideas are actually yours and which ones are just something you overheard at school or were told by a friend. Once people figure out who they are, which is no easy feat and can take time, they can live more deeply and honestly, and whatever traits that person may have, they should be appreciated by the world and by other individuals, even those who are completely different. Living the life you want and loving the qualities that make a person themselves and make them unique, those are the things that can elevate a person and make them truly COOL!