Possiblyfromorion - M Kay

Case of INTP: Dumb until Smart

It has come to my attention that INTP (especially) have to deal with this issue: being dumb until they suddenly become smart.

What do I mean by this?

I look to introverted thinking (Ti) dominance in the INTP to answer this peculiarity in the INTP to answer that question.

The INTP’s Ti is always running. It is always building and correcting one’s internal framework, looking at different facts, figures, concepts, and arguments (even if contradictory) to create the most accurate build of whatever Ti user is interested in (could be anything from fashion to math, by the way).

Now, that sounds really cool. I admit it. However, there’s a caveat to that: internal. Unlike Te dominant people (extraverted thinkers: ENTJ/ESTJ), the thinking process in the INTP is introverted, meaning the INTP uses a subjective categorizing system to identify, sort, and store the data they observe and obtain. Te users use the external data itself to make decisions, while Ti user must have a framework in which to put that data into, otherwise it’ll likely have no relevance and therefore, be forgotten.

Thus, an INTP is only as smart as the model one has built in one’s head, and equally, as dumb as the model one has built. If that model is inaccurate in some way (whether due to lack of due diligence in Ne and Si or unconscious Fe), the INTP individual will have trouble identifying problems and and coming up with adequate solutions. INTP will struggle, not with the delivery of thought or idea, but rather, with the reception or lack thereof.

Because the subjective Ti model is incorrect or inaccurate, the Ti using INTP will not be able to figure out where the disconnect is. Then it’s the familiar pattern; confusion, frustration, and finally, decision that everyone else is dumb for their inability to comprehend or understand. Because Ti is a rational judging function (even if introverted), INTP will actually believe the self is right and even be able to convince themselves that they’re not the problem, even if others point out flaws or differing viewpoints.

That’s how you have a dumb INTP.

However, with enough failures, some dumb INTPs stop thinking that they’re 100% correct. They start to question their presumptions and conclusions. They question the model. Some of them may question themselves (could lead to depression or other instability during this phase). They realize that the model they have in their head might be incorrect and start research to verify that their “deductions” are correct.

This is how you have the typical, average INTP.

Then, the INTP begins to seek out more objective observations. They talk to people, asking for input. They share their thoughts, not with the goal of arguing, but for clarification. And when they’re in this “exploratory mode,” they will likely tap into their unconscious inferior Fe function, which will prevent them from coming across as crass, cold, or like a jackass. In the process, INTP will likely find many consistent but also inconsistent information, they’ll find different but potentially equal and valid points, and seek to integrate it to the Ti model. As the INTP actively turns and twists the model within oneself, INTP will finally be granted their “Eureka” moment, when everything finally clicks into place. Of course, through this process, their model is going to be potentially immense and complex (yet at the same time, incredibly simple for the Ti user) due to the amount of Ne-Si data collection that will have likely gone into it.

INTP will find that their model is perfectly suited to understanding many areas, but also to actually solve important real life problems, … this will make the INTP very happy. This allows the inferior Fe to come out more as well, due to the relaxation resulting from an accurate understanding. The INTP will then continue looking at new things to incorporate and change their models to be even more accurate and applicable in even broader areas of life, and this will make a very excited INTP. This also helps those around them, and they’re more likely to come to the INTP for advice, which the INTP will more than likely be happy to help with (depends on the problem).

And that’s how you finally have the smart INTP.

Not saying it’s easy to be any other type, but being smart INTP takes a lot of determination and work for sure. So keep at it, INTPs. You’re always going to be a work in progress, but that’s when you’re “smart.”

On one side this may look like just a ordinary clam shell but when you flip it over it contains beautiful golden calcite crystals. The crystals formed when the clam died and a cavity formed allowing the crystals to develop. Took over two million years to do this. Found on the east coast of Florida in Brevard County.

capturing_the_cosmos

Space Trip Art Print by Enkel Dika

*More Things & Stuff

Street Carpets Painted by Arthur-Louis Ignoré

2018-10-07

“You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself. Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence.”

— Alan Watts

I’m...

DOMINANT FUNCTION:

Fe: Empathetic and warm-hearted. Other people are one of the most important things to me and I find it hard not to care about them or to want to keep them happy. I’m a lover of people

Fi: Emotional and opinionated. I have strong feelings about who/what I value and what is truly right, so I let my personal values influence myself more than anything else. I’m an idealist

Te: Driven and responsible. If I want to get something done, I’ll quickly find the most efficient way to do it. I’m a go-getter

Ti: Rational and independent. I love making logical sense of what I don’t know and figuring out how things work to solve problems or just for the hell of it. I’m an analytical thinker

Ne: Very stimulated by ideas and concepts. My mind is always energised by interesting thoughts and connections between them. I’m a visionary

Ni: Detached from the moment by itself and perceptive of the bigger picture. My 5 senses only take me so far, I’m mostly concerned with intangible possibilities and hidden meanings behind things. I’m a contemplator

Se: Spontaneous and highly in tune with my surroundings and happenings in them, which I’m almost always confident in experiencing and interacting with. I’m a realist

Si: Quite in touch with information I’ve gained in the past. My memory is very strong and I’m constantly comparing what I experience in the present to things I’ve experienced in the past. I’m a traditionalist

who…

AUXILIARY FUNCTION:

Fe: Highly values peace and harmony.

Fi: Is very in touch with their emotions and their sense of right and wrong.

Te: Takes charge to organise their environment and accomplish objectives in it.

Ti: Thinks logically and analyses information as objectively as possible.

Ne: Has an active imagination when it comes unrealistic/abstract ideas and possibilities of what could be.

Ni: Has clear plans and goals for the future along with a good idea of how to realise them.

Se: Sees things as they are and has no problems with improvisation or immersing themselves in the moment.

Si: Lets past experiences guide them and influence how they see the world.

When needed, I can…

TERTIARY FUNCTION:

Fe: Be gregarious and charming to get others to like me or to keep a social situation running smoothly,

Fi: Remind myself of my emotions and ideals of right and wrong,

Te: Do whatever it takes to complete a task or solve a problem,

Ti: Step away from emotions and make sense of things rationally,

Ne: Consider multiple possibilities and play with novel ideas,

Ni: See beyond my senses and pay attention to the intangible and to what could become of something in the future,

Se: Indulge in sensory experiences and be open to spontaneity,

Si: Thoroughly compare an experience or an idea to one that’s in my memories,

but many of my faults come from…

INFERIOR FUNCTION:

Fe: Not being very empathetic or sociable and not fully understanding how to properly act in some social situations.

Fi: Being too objective and not being able to foresee what feelings certain things can provoke in myself and others.

Te: Being reluctant to ignore my personal values and consider objective measurements of value and achievement.

Ti: Placing too much value on my own and other peoples’ feelings and not enough on objectivity and rationality.

Ne: Not being very open to novelty or uncertainty.

Ni: Failing to plan for the future or to perceive what my senses can’t.

Se: Being uncomfortable with living in the moment or interacting with my physical environment.

Si: Being bored by constant routine and predictability.

“Stress, worry, and anxiety simply come from projecting your thoughts into the future and imagining something bad. This is focusing on what you don’t want! If you find that your mind is projecting into the future in a negative way, focus intensely on NOW. Keep bringing yourself back to the present. Use all of your will, and focus your mind in this very moment, because in this moment of now there is utter peace.”

—

Rhonda Byrne

Thomas Paine, “Public Good”