The Bean Jar

“When you are present, you can allow the mind to be as it is without getting entangled in it. The mind itself is a wonderful tool. Dysfunction sets in when you seek your self in it and mistake it for who you are.”

— Eckhart Tolle (via spiritualgateway)

Firefox has encountered a problem with windows

Ni+Te versus Ti

It is easy to confuse Ni and Ti because they both share analytical properties.

Both Te/Ti are Thinking functions and use reason to evaluate data. They both look for cause-effect relationships. Te evaluates data for predictable rules and principles because it needs to take action effectively and efficiently, whereas Ti evaluates data for rules and principles that are internally consistent. Te does not care about the rules and principles in themselves as long as they work well for doing things effectively in the external world, whereas Ti cares about whether the rules and principles are consistent with other rules and principles, it is more systematic and wants to create a holistic and coherent theory regardless of whether or not that theory agrees with objective principles and, in order to do this, it needs to gather much more data than Te. Te sees a reliable cause-effect relationship and can move forward immediately, whereas Ti sees a cause-effect relationship and first wants to know what lies behind that relationship (the “why”) before it can move forward. Te utilizes easily observable formulas, whereas Ti utilizes elegant formulas it has created itself. Since they are both Thinking functions, they will sometimes agree about the truth of certain rules or principles but the path they take to reach agreement differs.

Ni gathers data from different abstract perspectives, trying to see something from many angles in order to accurately predict what might happen. This resembles Ti to some extent because it is also holistic in nature in terms of wanting to understand the bigger picture and it also wants to understand future effects. But Ni is a perceiving function so it is deeper and more sprawling and connects many different kinds of abstract relationships, not just cause-effect ones (e.g. metaphorical, symbolic, qualitative, logical, correlational, interpersonal, etc). Ti is a judging function so it connects concepts directly and efficiently by ruthlessly excising “irrelevant” information, whereas Ni takes in as much information as possible and links it to one’s knowledge in any way possible. Ni hoards all information, whereas Ti wants to take a knife to it once it is collected through the perceiving functions. Ti sees the world like a machine, with many different parts working together, but the parts are clearly separate and understood separately and then put back together into a closed system - anything unrelated to the “system” is cut away and dismissed. Ni sees the world like a network, but the parts are not clearly defined and not necessarily logically connected. So Ni needs a judging function to help it understand those connections more clearly. Ni needs Te to systematize itself.

INTJs use Te to make sense of Ni’s data in accordance with objective rules and principles, so Ni+Te can easily be mistaken for Ti. But Te has an outward focus and is action-oriented. Ni makes INTJs want to understand the world and Te makes them want to act on that knowledge either to realize potential or act in accordance with the future potential that they see. Ti is not as action-oriented. It focuses on discovering immediate effects rather than long range future potential unless it has another function like Ne or Ni to assist it, so Ti is much more limited and simplistic in what it can see compared to Ni+Te because Ni has a broader and deeper scope.

If INTJs get “stuck in their heads” and are too passive in life, they will start to feel uncomfortable because they have an underlying need to take action and achieve things because of Te. If they don’t listen to that need, they will feel restless, as though they are wasting their life. “Passive” INTJs who have not developed Te well enough are more likely to think they use Ti because their focus is too inwardly directed with Ni+Fi, meaning that they might confuse their lower Fi impulses as being Ti related (due to both being introverted judging functions and having the same structural framework). These INTJs just want to do what they feel comfortable doing according to their own understanding and ignore the call of Te/Se to take action to achieve goals and success, and this can eventually lead to existential boredom, unhappiness, or dissatisfaction or possibly an Ni-Fi loop.

more type comparisons

One understands only in proportion to becoming himself that which he understands.

Søren Kierkegaard, Journals and Papers (via philosophybits)

“Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires.”

— Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Opposite Mirrors

“My wish is that, one day, formal education will pay attention to the education of the heart, teaching love, compassion, justice, forgiveness, mindfulness, tolerance and peace. We must learn that humanity is one big family. We are all brothers and sisters: physically, mentally and emotionally. But we are still focusing far too much on our differences instead of our commonalities… Intolerance leads to hatred and division. Our children should grow up with the idea that dialogue, not violence, is the best and most practical way to solve conflicts. But this can become reality only if we educate, not just the brain, but also the heart.”

— Dalai Lama

Twilight at St Kilda, Scotland

ISTJ Fictional Tropes

Like anything in fiction there are always tropes. This include characters based on their MBTI. Now not all characters that are ISTJ fit into these exact tropes and many fit into multiple as you will note in the examples. The following are major tropes these ISTJ characters have a pattern of falling into and I think they help define their type as a whole in the big picture. Hopefully, this can be almost a quick cheat sheet at times when typing characters. 

Traditional Leader

These characters are what we think of as your typical leader. They are the ones you trust because they stick to their center, what they feel is right. They’re usually fiercely loyal. These leaders are service oriented. They don’t see themselves as in control, but as serving a role, one that would exist without them. One they choose out of some sense of responsibility or duty to uphold. 

Examples: Commander Lexa (The 100), Captain Ray Holt (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Queen Elizabeth II (The Crown), Lord Eddard Stark (Game of Thrones), Stannis Baratheon (Game of Thrones), George Washington (Hamilton: An American Musical), Thorin (The Hobbit), Fergus (Pixar’s Brave), Theodon (The Lord of the Rings), Powhatan (Disney’s Pocahontas), Queen Catherine of Aragon (The Tudors), Kercheck (Disney’s Tarzan), King George (Once Upon a Time), Elsa (Disney’s Frozen and Once Upon a Time), and Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead).

Detective/Inspector

Most of these character actually are cops, detectives, inspectors, but that is not exactly what this means. This trope for the ISTJ involves them being excited by their inferior Ne. They love to solve things methodically with Si-Te, but get excited by solving puzzles and investigating using their Ne. These types are interested in the truth and their duty to reveal the truth. They will often be willing to break the law/rules in order to uncover the truth. Their loyalty is to what their role upholds, not to people please. The ISTJ is self sacrificing and is okay being painted negatively if the result leads to the truth and justice. 

Examples: Quentin Lance (Arrow), Mako (Avatar: Legend of Korra), Captain Ray Hold (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Barbara Gordon/Batgirl/Oracle (DC Comics), Joe Swanson (Family Guy), Tina Goldstein (Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them), Chloe Decker (Lucifer), Inspector Chester Campbell (Peaky Blinders), James Gordon (Gotham and DC Comics), Bonnie Winterbottom (How To Get Away With Murder), Sara Lance (Arrow and Legend of Tomorrow), Javert (Les Miserables), Shikamaru Naru (Naruto Shippuden), Bartholomew Rusk (Penny Dreadful), Anderson (BBC’s Sherlock), Jim Hopper (Stranger Things), Sam Winchester (Supernatural), Sheriff Stalinski (Teen Wolf), Nobuchika Ginoza (Psycho-Pass), and Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead).

Dutiful Soldier

ISTJ characters that fit this trope are often soldiers, however, it isn’t a requirement to be part of this trope. These ISTJs are dedicated to a cause and remain personally connected and loyal to it. They are highly dependable in performing their duty, whatever that role may be. Their tertiary Fi, often influences them morally to be connected to a cause. They work hard and always follow through on a task. This isn’t about following rules created by a system blindly. These character follow a code and if that means breaking the rules to uphold a personal code, they will do it. 

Examples: Allison Argent (Teen Wolf), Takashi Morinozuka (Ouran High School Host Club), Mulan (Once Upon a Time), Norrington (Pirates of the Caribbean), Fujitora (One Piece), Bartholomew Rusk (Penny Dreadful), Yamato (Naruto Shippuden), Mako Mori (Pacific Rim), Athos (BBC’s The Musketeers), Ardeth Bay (The Mummy Film Series), Li Shang (Disney’s Mulan), Mike Wazowski (Monsters, Inc.), Mameha (Memoirs of a Geisha), Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Claire Temple (Netflix’s The Defenders Universe), Sebastian (Disney’s The Little Mermaid), Zazu (Disney’s The Lion King), Cogsworth (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), Harry/Galahad (Kingsman: The Secret Service), Astrid (How To Train Your Dragon), Dr. Eric Foreman (House, MD), Legolas (The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings), Maximus (Gladiator), Brienne of Tarth (Game of Thrones), Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), Zoe Washburne (Firefly), Danny Pink (Doctor Who), Katana/Tatsu Toro (DC Comics), Starfire (DC Comics), Melinda May (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Jack Thompson (Agent Carter), Indra (The 100), Maggie Greene (The Walking Dead), and Alex Danvers (Supergirl).

The Specialist

This ISTJ is a master of something. They are so focused and will know every fact about their specialization. Whatever they love is part of their identity, it is what defines them and the use of concrete sensing facts is what helps them relate to their interest. When an ISTJ character is dedicated to a passion, no one knows as much as they do about it. 

Examples: Hope Van Dyne (Ant-Man), Gray Fullbuster (Fairytail), Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory), Dr. Caitlin Snow (The Flash), Bob Belcher (Bob’s Burgers), Ross Gellar (Friends), Tatsu Toro/Katana (DC Comics), Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), The Swede (Hell on Wheels), Bill Weasley (Harry Potter Series), Doug Guggenheim (House of Lies), Hailey (Mozart in the Jungle), Ben Wyatt (Parks & Recreation), Homura Akemi (Madoka Magica), Uhura (Star Trek Film Series), Lt. Commander Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Edward Cullen (Twilight Saga), Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow), and Unalaq (Avatar: Legend of Korra).

Family-Oriented Center

These characters deeply care for their family (not necessarily genetic) and are often found as the grounding center. They may not seem caring like their ISFJ counterparts, but these ISTJ characters are harsh defenders of their families and are often the character others rely on as a steady constant in their lives. When this steady constant falls, many times the family does as well. They are the foundation of their family unit.

Examples: Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin (Anna Karenina), Quentin Lance (Arrow), Ross Geller (Friends), Bob Belcher (Bob’s Burgers), Ned Stark (Game of Thrones), Fergus (Pixar’s Brave), Dean Forester (Gilmore Girls), Mallory Hanson (Grace and Frankie), Maximus (Gladiator), Sophie (Howl’s Moving Castle), Bagheera (Disney’s The Jungle Book), Theodon (The Lord of the Rings), Chloe Decker (Lucifer), Powhatan (Disney’s Pocahontas), Sun Bak (Sense8), Elinor Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility), Fiona Gallagher (Shameless), Red Forman (The ‘70s Show), Edward Cullen (Twilight Saga), Elena Gilbert (The Vampire Diaries), and Maggie Greene (The Walking Dead).

Zealot

The Zealot ISTJ character is often being unwillingly controlled by their inferior Ne. They find the outer world with it’s constant change in meaning separate from their own deep, personal inner meaning is in conflict. They fear change and try to fight it with everything they have. If they admit that the world has this changing meaning outside of themselves they feel everything they believe in is threatened and are unable to cope with such conflict. They refer to their tertiary Fi for comfort and try to morally back their subjective perspective up with subjective judgement. Thereby fueling their own opinion and clinging to their personal identity, unchanging. Many ISTJ villains fall into this trope, but not all are villains. That is important to keep in mind.

Examples: Grinch (Ron Howard’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas), Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin (Anna Karenina), Claude Frollo (Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Sheldon Cooper (Big Bang Theory), Javert (Les Miserables), Ross Geller (Friends), Sam Healy (Orange is the New Black), Angela Martin (The Office), Elsa (Disney’s Frozen), P.L. Travers (Saving Mr. Banks), Dean Forester (Gilmore Girls), Lord Voldemort/Tom Riddle (Harry Potter Series), The Swede (Hell on Wheels), Nessarose (Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West Novel), Theo Galavan (Gotham), and Unalaq (Avatar: Legend of Korra).

The Cynic

The ISTJ cynics are often mistyped because they don’t really believe in anything. They are often misread as ISTP to be honest. But the Cynic ISTJ is indeed, very ISTJ. They are some of the most ultimate realists, not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. They usually have life experiences of pain that has formed their perception of reality. Their dominant Si seeing the facts, not fanciful ideals. Their tertiary Fi not seeing or growing up with that feeling that they or anyone else is a special snowflake. They often are lost, without a cause, not trusting those with big ideals. They see things as they are and nothing more. They are the bluntest ISTJ filled with some of the most ironic humor. They are usually disappointed with their lot in life.

Examples: John Murphy (The 100), Mai (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Chas Chandler (Constantine), Helga Katrina Sinclair (Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire), Phantom Stranger (DC Comics), Gwynne (Galavant), Mad-Eye Moody (Harry Potter Series), Suzana Ayuwaza (Maid-Sama), Shikamaru Naru (Naruto Shippuden), Dinesh (Silicon Valley), and Princess Kwenthrith (Vikings).