Have you even tried computer science? Wasn't it you who said that nothing beats trial-and-error? How could you possibly know whether or not it's valid advice by your own metric?
It's a laughable comment too coming from a self-proclaimed math geek. Theoretical computer Science
is math. Alan Turing was a mathematician. Math gave birth to CS and continues to have a profound influence. Hell, my math professor now is doing work in quantum computing. Why do you think you wouldn't like it? You said you were applying to quantitative finance jobs. CS is in extremely high demand in that particular field....
Are you afraid that you're going to find out you're actually a "typical" INTP, and that Architect isn't wrong in endorsing this field for INTPs? Does that really pose an existential threat to your worldview? I don't get the extreme aversion from you to giving people career recommendations based on personality type. Best case, they make a wiser choice than they would have, and are better off for it. Worst case, they find out it's something they didn't like and go back to the drawing board. It's no different than if they hadn't taken the test. They still would have had to make a choice. All the other factors like upbringing, interest, values, etc. still apply. They don't just disappear all of a sudden simply b/c someone gets an "INTP" test result. People aren't mindless drones.
I think I've figured you out Tannhauser: You have an irrational fear of personality tests. You gotta give people more credit. Their lives are not going to be ruined by four little letters. It's just a tool of self-exploration. You can relax.
OP, I think the thread topic was valid. It is somewhat inconvenient to search through past threads, b/c you have to wade through a lot of roughage in the process. I did it for a while, but eventually just realized books are better. Sometimes I still get useful information from here when I do searches on particular topics though...
The type dynamics stuff as conceived by Jung is not scientific, but I think it holds greater utility in terms of understanding the nature of the psyche and the origins of suffering (the inferior function). It's everyone's big problem. The way it manifests is different for all 8 types. As far as the "wisdom of the ancients" goes, that's about as good as it gets for psychological types. More modern interpretations include the MBTI.
As far as a vote goes of the top 10 ideas for INTPs, keep in mind most people here are in their twenties and younger. There are some exceptions. If you want to get advice on serious life issues (like career) from a bunch of kids, that's fine. Not my style personally, as other people here know. I'd rather listen to people who have actually lived and experienced life and aren't just out of school.
That said, there may be a few domain experts on here that have interesting ideas related to INTPs. Relationship issues though can be useful to talk through with people here. I've seen that happen often enough.