Public speaking is the number one fear reported by people in the US.
Many people, at least in the US, like to go to parties.
For me, it is the exact opposite.
The bigger the audience, the easier I feel.
Giving a large conference talk is the most comfortable; I totally control the script and there are so many people that they become anonymous, blank, and non-human.
Teaching a class is slightly trickier; I am still in control but have to interact with students sometimes, potentially disrupting the flow and raising my awareness of their human presence.
Small talking in a social gathering is the most energy consuming; it is entirely ad hoc and I have to read people and react in real-time.
Is this extrovert or introvert? I guess it is something orthogonal. Maybe it is “sociability” before I can find a better term.
Around 38:00 mark on Hannibal season 1 Aperitif (at the end of Will Graham’s class on criminal psychology):
Jack Crawford: I also understand it is difficult for you to be social.
Will Graham: I am just talking. I am not listening to them. It is not social.
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