Who are you, really? The puzzle of personality | Brian Little | TED

What makes you, you? Psychologists like to talk about our traits, or defined characteristics that make us who we are. But Brian Little is more interested in moments when we transcend those traits — sometimes because our culture demands it of us, and sometimes because we demand it of ourselves. Join Little as he dissects the surprising differences between introverts and extroverts and explains why your personality may be more malleable than you think.

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[melaniechiriacescu]

Imagine having him as a teacher! I would be in class everyday captivated

[RegumRai]

Watching this made me realise i need to improve my vocabulary

[TnTPoll]

I was one of those fortunate enough to have him as a professor at Carleton University in the 90s. Best. Class. Ever. He had a profound impact on me and I still remember an astonishing number of details from his lessons. I still find myself quoting him in my daily life. I have never been so thoroughly entertained and enlightened at the same time. I gave him a Thank You card when I graduated, expressing my gratitude for what he gave me. Being his student was truly a gift. Not only was he exceptionally brilliant, but his ability to teach through stories is unparalleled and his ability to humanize experience remarkable. I'm so glad he's still sharing himself with the world though TED. If you're reading this Dr. Little, may I once again say Thank you. The world is a better place because you're in it.

[KelvinRodrigues]

He talked for 15 minutes without slide show and still kept attention retention from all audience and also us online, this is a true professor! Thanks for sharing this Brian Little!

[IOxyrinchus]

“As an introvert I might gently allude to certain assholic qualities”

Both the most introverted and extroverted thing I’ve ever heard

[mio]

He got emotional at his hospital analogy and it made part of my heart crack

[ithinkyourehotheaded]

My procrastinating starter pack : open YouTube, watch TED talk, telling myself I'm learning English so it's okay to procrastinate more when I have a lot of assignments not done yet

[susanbland]

Brian Little is my uncle and although he and my aunt divorced many years ago and I have not seen him for decades I have fond memories of conversations with him. He was always so engaging, brilliant and funny. He remains a wonderful speaker and I really enjoyed listening to him once again.

[dank]

He is so serious about pooping alone that he prepared a whole TED speech for it.

[WeasleyTwiins]

I'm a social introvert. I find it hardest to be in groups where I don't know the people (well). With my friends, I may seem to be extroverted, but the interaction still drains me and I need to be alone quite a lot.

[christinacatalano]

“Your personality is not who you are.”
This quote has sat with me for a long time, and has helped me focus on inner dialogue versus outward expression.

**As a side note, the quote derives from the lectures of Dr. Gabor mate; he provides more context into those dynamics of personality that can cause a misidentify, etc.

[Azulamei]

You can really see the happiness in him when the crowd laughs at his jokes. :') made my day so much better

[TinRapper]

I have not enjoyed a TED Talk this much in a long time. He's perfect, his humor, professionalism, speech.

[anywallsocket]

“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”

[deborahthomsondvm]

So lucky to have had him as a teacher. He changed my life.

[skang]

I really love the way how this professor sees people and their life. ❤

[kamenidriss]

how lucky are those students to be taught by this man!

[zoeyvernon]

HOLD UP, I want to take this professors class. Professors like him are the reason I love learning!!!

[woahokay]

I really love how he speaks and how he delivered his speech, He always has my attention even when he's just standing still on stage.

[kagura]

i myself, am an introvert, but i had to act extrovert in front of some people, especially my family
so when he talked about it, i was so relieved that I'm not alone in it.
thank you sir for taking your time and sharing your speech with us!