Being INTP

[Philosophyking87]

Basically, I recently wrote a personal description of myself. It's very introspective and can seem a little angsty at times, with a bit of a rant feel to it. But overall, I think it's pretty decent. I'm posting it so that other INTPs can possibly gain something of it, or at least to see if other INTPs actually relate to anything I wrote.

I am, above all else, a thinker. I am largely abstracted, theoretical, and analytical. Nothing enters my mind without immediate scrutiny, and nothing leaves it without a magnificent wake of terribly thorough musing. All data and information is instantaneously synthesized, filtered and processed into place, amongst all of the various internal categories of content which my mind has structured into a lofty mental palace of very organized and ordered material: as a vast library of numerous isles, with shelves stocked high — with this idea, or that theory, or some other random musing. And logic is ultimately the headmaster of this magnificent collection of material, having the final say-so on what stays and what goes, what is eligible for inclusion and what shall be omitted, discarded, or saved for another day.

Often times, I'm not very aware of what's going on around me, but instead lost in a world of internal fantasy, daydreaming, and heavy imaginative rumination. Concepts seem to have a world of their own and I am frequently deeply submerged in the critical evaluation of various often times conflicting ideas, arguments, viewpoints, and positions. Understanding is my greatest and highest goal, and as such anything however slightly incongruous must be tackled and forced to submit to some coherent picture of things, where I can safely feel at ease, having boiled a giant problem down to a few basic principles or a grand conclusion of absolute conceptual harmony.

For me, the world is here to be understood, as much as possible. As such, the typical ways of the average 'man' tend to leave me quite dumbfounded and bewildered, for there is much in the nature of humanity which does not allow for conceptual harmony. Thus, I'm usually detached from everyone else, or 'the herd,' as they are called. I am a loner in daily life, if not an outright hermit, and it would suffice to say that a cave or mountain is probably more suitable for me, than any general social region. I am that sagacious philosopher of antiquity, such as Diogenes, who walks the streets without restraint, eternally skeptical and cynical towards all the artificial constructions of humanity, but with an interest in how they can be revised, perfected, and ultimately improved. I am both interested and disinterested in general modern human life in an indirect manner, for I can never truly feel at one with the hoi polloi, or anyone mindlessly compliant with the regular social order, or the status quo. Ideally, I would be cloaked and hooded with a beard, were modern society less superficial, for that ancient clothing would probably suit me best. I utterly disapprove of modern attire. Thus, I stand at a distance, away from the rest of you, while constantly judging and scrutinizing your ways. You are the objects of my obsession; the subjects of my study. For me, life is nothing more than a social zoo, with pretty animals here and there to be analyzed, studied, and understood. I think. I think about humanity. I think about the world. I think to understand. And I think to feel alive. To me, that's the greatest freedom a human being can have, and I enjoy every minute of free thought and philosophical musing.

In the end, I may less interested in daily social life. I may be entirely impractical. I may be timid and shy in the presence of strangers; I may even feel anxiety in many social situations, while feeling out of place in a crowd. I may not be like the rest of you, and I've come to accept that. And thus, fame... wealth... prestige... luxury... status: these are all artificial constructions with superficial value of which I personally have no need or desire. I am the social outcast, always seeking a bit more wisdom through the marvelous power of thought and reasoning. Call me a rebel. Call me a daydreamer. Call me a freak. Call me 'weird.' Call me useless and self-absorbed. Call me unmindful. I would be called all of these things, and more, so long as I can sleep at the end of the day knowing I have lived my life honestly by my true nature, without dishonesty or a hint of foolish slavery, or typical illusions. I love to wonder and I am as curious as a child, and in many ways, I am childlike in my demeanor. This is because I have not lost my sense of willingness to take life as it is — for what it really is or may be — rather than for granted. I'm eternally philosophical and I wish not to conform. I wish not to accept tradition and live my life as some social automaton. I want freedom. And if in life people cannot be free and live a life of philosophical freedom, then life simply isn't worth the torturous endurance. And as such, life for a true thinker is only ever a giant prison sentence — constantly forced to conform and obey, to submit and comply (usually with that which is not intelligent in the slightest, caused and invented by lesser men wither smaller minds).

And so I leave off with a few words from William Blake:
I must create my own system or become enslaved by another man's

 

[Galthian]

Holy shit. I love you.

 

[shoeless]

jaysus. it's like you took a typical myers-briggs description of the INTP, put it on crack-acid, and then gave it some writing skills. (i'm complimenting you, i swear.)

it's super interesting and insightful i think, but i don't relate much these days. but you know, i'm probably not an INTP, so yeah.

 

[Galthian]

I seriously just thought you were reading my own mind. You completely put into words my whole mindset. I reaaally wish I knew all of you. If only the world was filled with us... if only we were not the 3% that we are...

 

[Philosophyking87]

I'm glad you guys liked it. It's as honest a picture of myself (as an INTP) as I could manage to create with language.

 

[Kuu]

Quite good. Hadn't seen you in a while. Went up the mountain to be alone and look down at the world?

 

[nexion]

Holy shit. I love you.

This. Dear God, this. It is exact, to the letter.

I seriously just thought you were reading my own mind. You completely put into words my whole mindset. I reaaally wish I knew all of you. If only the world was filled with us... if only we were not the 3% that we are...

And this. Being an INTP is the fucking best. If INTP's could make up only 10% or 20% of the population, this world and this life would be fucking amazing.

 

[archimonde]

I thought it sounded pretentious. Just the way I like it

And this. Being an INTP is the fucking best. If INTP's could make up only 10% or 20% of the population, this world and this life would be fucking amazing.

I honestly think that as much as we lament over our detached livelyhood, many INTP's wouldn't have any other way. We are proud to be different and dont give a shit what the world thinks of us.

Now, if the world was comprised of 10-20% INTP's, by god help us. We would be killing each other because everyone will be hard headed and no one would ever back down from an argument. I am glad and proud to be part of this exclusive group of 1-3% of the population.

 

[Ermine]

Hmm. Can't say I relate too much. I guess I'm a bit more practical than the average INTP, or I hardly ever dare to be that pretentious. I'm not sure which. And philosophy hasn't appealed too much to me. In my mind, it's just intellectuals telling each other what to do, when they only really have to tell themselves.

But way to be for being yourself. Being INTP can be a blast.

 

[DesertSmeagle]

wow...thats good shit...i dnt feel like such a loser anymore. my whole life has been spent around ignorant losers...its true, if we could just have more numbers, the workd would be amazing....or a complete disaster..i dunno about u guys but sometimes i have some pretty radical thoughts about how much society sucks..but just think of that feeling...if only i werent surrounded by retarded idiots. nobody really understands me..is that a usual trait of an intp? ive always felt i was completely different and people would criticize me for it...im not a freak, i just think differently..i actually thought i had some kind of crazy disorder like or something..i guess im just an intp...if i wasnt lazy and unmotivated i cant even imagine where id be. the lazy and unmotivation comes from my parents living through me, ignoring my interests and thoughts.

 

[nexion]

wow...thats good shit...i dnt feel like such a loser anymore. my whole life has been spent around ignorant losers...its true, if we could just have more numbers, the workd would be amazing....or a complete disaster..i dunno about u guys but sometimes i have some pretty radical thoughts about how much society sucks..but just think of that feeling...if only i werent surrounded by retarded idiots. nobody really understands me..is that a usual trait of an intp? ive always felt i was completely different and people would criticize me for it...im not a freak, i just think differently..i actually thought i had some kind of crazy disorder like or something..i guess im just an intp...if i wasnt lazy and unmotivated i cant even imagine where id be. the lazy and unmotivation comes from my parents living through me, ignoring my interests and thoughts.

Yes, yes, and yes. Everything you just described, I feel, are normal traits of INTPness. For me, also, with my parents practically ignoring everything I say. And yes, the world is full of a bunch of retarded idiots.

Goddamn, there's so much I could say about being an INTP and how awesome it is and how great my life is because I am the way I am, and then there's also so many things I could say in anger of hatred of the world and society and shit like that... but whenever I try to do either I can't find the words.

By the way, just wanted to say... I found someone not on this forum who understands me! Thank God halleluJah! He is of course still online... I have about given up on ever meeting an INTP in real life. I am not sure this guy is INTP but I'm fairly sure he's either that or ENTP (simply because one can't tell on the internet) and I am pressuring him into taking the MBTI.

 

[Gather_Wanderer]

It's been about 8 months or so since discovered MBTI and the type. I've noticed that in the months since then my maturity has slowed....I suppose it's because of the initial reaction to finding a community of others like this and also maybe somewhat putting effort into embracing it; Not that I wouldn't anyway, since I naturally weigh the value of intelligence in myself over just about everything else. I've maybe just been thinking recently that it may be a problem if I only try to develop the parts of my personality that are naturally dominant.

I would like to be more humble if I can. I want to get to a point where, at least in the outside world, almost no external stress phases me; I think, though, this is already a natural inclination and...maybe unrealistic? Maybe not.

I also wish I could be less of a horny bastard. Some of my older friends/associates tell me they notice....well one guy said exactly this: "You're not a hot dick. You're not as thirsty as I was coming up. I don't think you'll have too many problems."
I wish this were true. It probably is, I think; I don't act on my sexual desire very often, but it's bothersome that I'm "set off" when I see something small like the top of some pair of boobs bouncing in a shirt. Or when....yeah that about explains it.

 

[Philosophyking87]

Yes, yes, and yes. Everything you just described, I feel, are normal traits of INTPness. For me, also, with my parents practically ignoring everything I say. And yes, the world is full of a bunch of retarded idiots.

Goddamn, there's so much I could say about being an INTP and how awesome it is and how great my life is because I am the way I am, and then there's also so many things I could say in anger of hatred of the world and society and shit like that... but whenever I try to do either I can't find the words.

By the way, just wanted to say... I found someone not on this forum who understands me! Thank God halleluJah! He is of course still online... I have about given up on ever meeting an INTP in real life. I am not sure this guy is INTP but I'm fairly sure he's either that or ENTP (simply because one can't tell on the internet) and I am pressuring him into taking the MBTI.

The world is full of idiots, which is why I refer to them as the "mindless" "hoi polloi." Most of the rest of the world lacks the ability to see POSSIBILITIES and ways to IMPROVE things. Mostly, they just know how to keep screwing things up! That doesn't mean we're superior to anyone else, it just means we're mentally gifted most of the time. And I think most INTP's are lazy and unmotivated. I for sure am, and it's difficult to live like this. And I don't think I've EVER met a real life INTP, either. And I think I've given up on that pursuit myself. I've only met a few online... and those didn't last long. OMFG, being INTP so sucks (aside from being super smart!).

 

[dreamoftheunknown]

Now, if the world was comprised of 10-20% INTP's, by god help us. We would be killing each other because everyone will be hard headed and no one would ever back down from an argument.

We'd be too busy arguing to actually bother killing each other. But I get your point. Honestly, if INTP's comprised a much higher percentage of the world, nothing would ever get done. We already have a natural aversion to actually implementing solutions. Well, we wouldn't even be able to implement solutions that everyone agrees on (as though that could ever happen, especially with more INTP's) because we'd be too busy arguing about step number 692 when we're still working on step number 8. Work in physics for a while, you'll see what I mean.

 

[Philosophyking87]

...if INTP's comprised a much higher percentage of the world, nothing would ever get done

QFT. We are very unmotivated and inactive people. We just sit back and think.
But seriously, I wish there were at least a little more than 1- 3% INTP's in the world. Maybe 5 - 10? Or am I pushing it? LOL.

 

[nexion]

We'd be too busy arguing to actually bother killing each other. But I get your point. Honestly, if INTP's comprised a much higher percentage of the world, nothing would ever get done. We already have a natural aversion to actually implementing solutions. Well, we wouldn't even be able to implement solutions that everyone agrees on (as though that could ever happen, especially with more INTP's) because we'd be too busy arguing about step number 692 when we're still working on step number 8. Work in physics for a while, you'll see what I mean.

Yeah, I can see what you are saying. lol

 

[nexion]

The world is full of idiots, which is why I refer to them as the "mindless" "hoi polloi." Most of the rest of the world lacks the ability to see POSSIBILITIES and ways to IMPROVE things. Mostly, they just know how to keep screwing things up! That doesn't mean we're superior to anyone else, it just means we're mentally gifted most of the time. And I think most INTP's are lazy and unmotivated. I for sure am, and it's difficult to live like this. And I don't think I've EVER met a real life INTP, either. And I think I've given up on that pursuit myself. I've only met a few online... and those didn't last long. OMFG, being INTP so sucks (aside from being super smart!).

Being INTP is particularly trying...

 

[Galthian]

QFT. We are very unmotivated and inactive people. We just sit back and think.
But seriously, I wish there were at least a little more than 1- 3% INTP's in the world. Maybe 5 - 10? Or am I pushing it? LOL.

3.3% says New World Encyclopedia

Cite:
http://static.newworldencyclopedia.org/d/dd/PopulationBreakdownMBTI.jpg

 

[SpaceYeti]

Yes, yes, and yes. Everything you just described, I feel, are normal traits of INTPness. For me, also, with my parents practically ignoring everything I say. And yes, the world is full of a bunch of retarded idiots.

Goddamn, there's so much I could say about being an INTP and how awesome it is and how great my life is because I am the way I am, and then there's also so many things I could say in anger of hatred of the world and society and shit like that... but whenever I try to do either I can't find the words.

By the way, just wanted to say... I found someone not on this forum who understands me! Thank God halleluJah! He is of course still online... I have about given up on ever meeting an INTP in real life. I am not sure this guy is INTP but I'm fairly sure he's either that or ENTP (simply because one can't tell on the internet) and I am pressuring him into taking the MBTI.

My best friend is actually an INTJ. We make a glorious team. I get ideas, he does stuff... it's awesome.

 

[nexion]

3.3% says New World Encyclopedia

Cite:
http://static.newworldencyclopedia.org/d/dd/PopulationBreakdownMBTI.jpg

These numbers are, of course, always going to be misleading, one because they are based on a particular time, two because they only represent the percentages of the group which was experimented (forget the exact term at present, control group, perhaps?). The group is randomly selected from different areas and will therefore turn out different results... different studies WILL show different results because the people are different.

 

[nexion]

My best friend is actually an INTJ. We make a glorious team. I get ideas, he does stuff... it's awesome.

That does sound great. If only I could actually get in a mind to do stuff though, you know? I think it should be entirely necessary for an INTP to learn that, so that, if the time ever comes when one has or needs to depend only on himself, he can.

 

[Philosophyking87]

My best friend is actually an INTJ. We make a glorious team. I get ideas, he does stuff... it's awesome.

Yup... that's the typical INTP/INTJ relationship. We're the badass theoreticians and they are the little implementers who take our ideas and work 'em out practically. Awesome collaboration indeed.

You should check out ISTP's. They're not too bad. They basically enjoy improving systems, as well, albeit in a much more practical and mechanical fashion.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

You should check out ISTP's. They're not too bad. They basically enjoy improving systems, as well, albeit in a much more practical and mechanical fashion.

I have total respect for ISTPs though there's a lot of wavelength fluctuating when you're not working towards a common goal. Each type doesn't want to burden the other with their ideas and are basically holding back.

 

[pjoa09]

Hmmm.. to me it was the unfortunate truth. I am analyzing everything, my friends are the objects to my studies. Staring at them, finding it hilarious that his relationship causes him stress. Realizing that I don't really give a shit about the so called 'status'.

What is strange is that, I value wealth. I see it as a possibility to make these fantasies real.

To me its the disturbing truth, whenever I have an argument in my head its hell.

Focus is barely possible. I am too busy contemplating on beaming people on to planes.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

We'd be too busy arguing to actually bother killing each other. But I get your point. Honestly, if INTP's comprised a much higher percentage of the world, nothing would ever get done. We already have a natural aversion to actually implementing solutions. Well, we wouldn't even be able to implement solutions that everyone agrees on...

When you think in terms of Keirsey temperaments the distribution seems perfect the way it is.

We need a few Idealists to believe in a cause. We need some Rationals to plan how the cause will be carried out. We need many Artisans to put the plans into use and fight for the cause. After the cause has stood the test of time, the majority, Guardians, will be there to protect the cause's beliefs. Looking at the big picture, we aren't meant to carry out ideas, only to come up with them.

 

[DesertSmeagle]

Yes i can be proud to be an intp, so many uniques traits and everything...but there is one thing im worried about and thats what i wana do with my life..I literally have like 10 different things i wanna do when im older..right now im on my way to college, goin for psychology or sociology because its so interesting..but i also have huge interests in film, computers, art, music, archeology, astronomy....the list goes on and on..i guess i should choose the one that brings me the most money..i dont know what i can do with a degree in psychology and im worried that when i go to college ill lose interest and slip..i truly wana just do everything. i go through these "phases" i guess. like one day ill be outside taking really good photos and making ameteur youtube movies, and the next day ill be drawing pictures or scanning through the woods with a metal detector...i actually found what looks like a lead ball from a musket in my woods haha...but im just worried because i dnt know what to do..can anyone relate? id love to hear ur story.

 

[DesertSmeagle]

more haha...and then ioll have these "phases" of depression and anxiety..usually when im tired or doing something everyday i hated doing..like during basketball season in HS. (not because i dnt like basketball but because of people)..when im tired or depressed i feel like shit. i dnt talk much and i get relly pissed at everything..because im living a life where i cant be myself, wen i get upset it all comes out and i bitch at my family about how they created my anxiety and depression, and i literally just go on and on about how society is wrong in so many areas of life..then i fight my dad because hes always telling me how anti social i am and how ill drop outa college baseball because im anti social.
. .then i tell him theres a personality disorder called antisocial personality disorder..and there is haha but it has nothing to do with social anxiety disorder, which i have.. antisocial PD is wen a person is a sociopathic psycho haha..so think about that the next time u call or get called antisocial.
my mom is scared that ill be a killer like the guy at V-tech, because they said he had antisocialPD.. i tell my mom what the disorder actually is but she to stupid to understand me...if i had a personality disorder itd be avoidant personality disorder..check it out if ur a complete social wreck and scared to go outside, which im not.
but ya, i turn into an overcritcical pissed off asshole when im overtired or really upset at something, which very rarely happens..i think of myself as a strato volcano hah..slowly bulding up pressure and then exploding in a giant plume of ash and death..haha..and if theres some spelling errors or wutever in this its because its 2 am and i cant sleep..?
stupid ass emoticons..wut the hell does this shit even mean?:smiley_emoticons_mroh ya. im so emo

 

[nexion]

Yes i can be proud to be an intp, so many uniques traits and everything...but there is one thing im worried about and thats what i wana do with my life..I literally have like 10 different things i wanna do when im older..right now im on my way to college, goin for psychology or sociology because its so interesting..but i also have huge interests in film, computers, art, music, archeology, astronomy....the list goes on and on..i guess i should choose the one that brings me the most money..i dont know what i can do with a degree in psychology and im worried that when i go to college ill lose interest and slip..i truly wana just do everything. i go through these "phases" i guess. like one day ill be outside taking really good photos and making ameteur youtube movies, and the next day ill be drawing pictures or scanning through the woods with a metal detector...i actually found what looks like a lead ball from a musket in my woods haha...but im just worried because i dnt know what to do..can anyone relate? id love to hear ur story.

I am the same way. I am interested in biology, chemistry, physics, nanotechnology, computer science, psychology, philosophy, and tons of other random stuff. I think, if you need help on deciding what to major in, the first step is definitely to figure out what you would LEAST like to major in. For example, even though I am interested in computer science and psychology, I would not want to major in them. They are hobbies. Then, decide what you would MOST like to major in from the remaining list. Which for me, as a science nerd, would be Biology, physics, and chemistry. From this point, decide which one appears most desirable... which for me is physics, however, I don't want to go through college with no knowledge of chemistry and biology, so I will take a shit ton of elective classes on them. Or consider double majoring or majoring in one and minoring in another. That's as far as I've gotten so far. The next step is to obviously divide each of the main interests into subcategories, do the whole process over again, find a list of possible jobs within the subcategory, find out what you would want to do the most, find out what that requires, and just go for it. For me, it really isn't about the money. I just want to do what I love doing. (but hey, if there weren't people like that, who would teach?)

Hope this helps you some.

 

[nexion]

more haha...and then ioll have these "phases" of depression and anxiety..usually when im tired or doing something everyday i hated doing..like during basketball season in HS. (not because i dnt like basketball but because of people)..when im tired or depressed i feel like shit. i dnt talk much and i get relly pissed at everything..because im living a life where i cant be myself, wen i get upset it all comes out and i bitch at my family about how they created my anxiety and depression, and i literally just go on and on about how society is wrong in so many areas of life..then i fight my dad because hes always telling me how anti social i am and how ill drop outa college baseball because im anti social.
. .then i tell him theres a personality disorder called antisocial personality disorder..and there is haha but it has nothing to do with social anxiety disorder, which i have.. antisocial PD is wen a person is a sociopathic psycho haha..so think about that the next time u call or get called antisocial.
my mom is scared that ill be a killer like the guy at V-tech, because they said he had antisocialPD.. i tell my mom what the disorder actually is but she to stupid to understand me...if i had a personality disorder itd be avoidant personality disorder..check it out if ur a complete social wreck and scared to go outside, which im not.
but ya, i turn into an overcritcical pissed off asshole when im overtired or really upset at something, which very rarely happens..i think of myself as a strato volcano hah..slowly bulding up pressure and then exploding in a giant plume of ash and death..haha..and if theres some spelling errors or wutever in this its because its 2 am and i cant sleep..?
stupid ass emoticons..wut the hell does this shit even mean?:smiley_emoticons_mroh ya. im so emo

That sucks bro... not really much I can say about it, other than I relate to being called antisocial and stuff. But God, people are so stupid.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

im worried that when i go to college ill lose interest and slip..i truly wana just do everything. i go through these "phases" i guess. like one day ill be outside taking really good photos and making ameteur youtube movies, and the next day ill be drawing pictures or scanning through the woods with a metal detector...i actually found what looks like a lead ball from a musket in my woods haha...but im just worried because i dnt know what to do..can anyone relate? id love to hear ur story.

I know exactly what you mean man. I guess it's cause we're "life learners" that we always are curious about something. I could easily see myself being an electrical engineer, technician, photographer, musician, mixing/mastering engineer, producer, radio host, DJ, music critic etc. I just can't seem to get serious about either one and I'd rather do all of them whenever I feel like it.

I'm also afraid that I'm going to become uninterested with college and drop out. I don't know if it's the lack of confidence or the knowledge that I'm usually lazy, probably both. I hope it doesn't happen because I have no real plans at the moment and school would be the one thing to bring structure into my life.

 

[₲uardian]

Being INTP is dum. You should all change

 

[Philosophyking87]

Yes i can be proud to be an intp, so many uniques traits and everything...but there is one thing im worried about and thats what i wana do with my life..I literally have like 10 different things i wanna do when im older..right now im on my way to college, goin for psychology or sociology because its so interesting..but i also have huge interests in film, computers, art, music, archeology, astronomy....the list goes on and on..i guess i should choose the one that brings me the most money..i dont know what i can do with a degree in psychology and im worried that when i go to college ill lose interest and slip..i truly wana just do everything. i go through these "phases" i guess. like one day ill be outside taking really good photos and making ameteur youtube movies, and the next day ill be drawing pictures or scanning through the woods with a metal detector...i actually found what looks like a lead ball from a musket in my woods haha...but im just worried because i dnt know what to do..can anyone relate? id love to hear ur story.

I totally relate to this. I was once asked, in high school, what I wanted to major in, and my response was, "I don't know... I have too many interests I just want to do all at once." And it actually took me a while to really zone in and 'select' a handful of possible majors I'd be interested in. First I wanted to major in Music, because music theory is extremely interesting. I enjoy creating music and hearing good music. In fact, I usually go through phases between extreme music creation/listening and heavy thinking. They're like energy phases. Sometimes I have energy for artistic things; other times, I'm in this intellectual, investigative mood. They go back and forth a lot. And when I was younger, I'd have about 5 hobbies I'd constantly switch off from all day. Poetry; drawing; reading philosophy; music; and I used to write personal essays for fun on a variety of topics. But eventually my hobbies have gone away. And I eventually switched to an English major with an emphasis in philosophy, because with a music degree I was going to be expected to actually perform music live (which most INTP's and ISTP's think is just ridiculous). I just wanted to learn music theory. So basically, I have philosophy as my main interest in life right now. I might just get my core done at a community college and then transfer to a 4-year university and major in philosophy, then psychology, and I might also want to get a degree in music later in life (if I don't HAVE to perform music). I wouldn't mind combining philosophy, psychology, and music together to potentially create some interesting theories as to why we perceive music in the ways in which we do... but that prospect is years down the road.

At any rate, I'm pretty sure most INTP's are like us: we have energy phases, being P, so that we just switch from one thing to another all the time, with no real routine. And it's difficult for most of us to pick a major, because INTP's aren't really specialists; we're more generalists who want to know a little about everything, instead of just mastering one thing. We're the jack of all trades, master of none (generally speaking). We just dig our noses into many random things and only take them as far as we want to. Hence, we usually just get bored of things prematurely.

I would say that you should really ask yourself, "What's the one thing in life that gets me going as soon as I wake up in the morning? What gives me energy to live and captures my attention most from day to day? What is my greatest interest?" Basically, for me, that's philosophy (and slightly music). I love philosophy. I love ideas. I love theories. I love the logical aspect of it. I love the creative aspect of it. It gets me going every day to think what new philosophical insight the next day will bring. And on the other hand, I simply LOVE music. All kinds, as long as it's well-written. Without music, I wouldn't enjoy life as much. And then I obviously have a minor interest in the mind — how it operates, how it functions, what makes people behave as they do, and I highly enjoy utilizing and manipulating the MBTI to make sense of people. As such, I'm highly interested in personality psychology. How are people different? Why do they think differently? What drives them, inherently? Knowing these sort of things gets me going big time.

So, in conclusion, yeah I relate and I hope this post helps you a bit.

 

[Philosophyking87]

more haha...and then ioll have these "phases" of depression and anxiety..usually when im tired or doing something everyday i hated doing..like during basketball season in HS. (not because i dnt like basketball but because of people)..when im tired or depressed i feel like shit. i dnt talk much and i get relly pissed at everything..because im living a life where i cant be myself, wen i get upset it all comes out and i bitch at my family about how they created my anxiety and depression, and i literally just go on and on about how society is wrong in so many areas of life..then i fight my dad because hes always telling me how anti social i am and how ill drop outa college baseball because im anti social.
. .then i tell him theres a personality disorder called antisocial personality disorder..and there is haha but it has nothing to do with social anxiety disorder, which i have.. antisocial PD is wen a person is a sociopathic psycho haha..so think about that the next time u call or get called antisocial.
my mom is scared that ill be a killer like the guy at V-tech, because they said he had antisocialPD.. i tell my mom what the disorder actually is but she to stupid to understand me...if i had a personality disorder itd be avoidant personality disorder..check it out if ur a complete social wreck and scared to go outside, which im not.
but ya, i turn into an overcritcical pissed off asshole when im overtired or really upset at something, which very rarely happens..i think of myself as a strato volcano hah..slowly bulding up pressure and then exploding in a giant plume of ash and death..haha..and if theres some spelling errors or wutever in this its because its 2 am and i cant sleep..?
stupid ass emoticons..wut the hell does this shit even mean?:smiley_emoticons_mroh ya. im so emo

Sadly, I can relate to this, too. I'm going through so many problems right now, in my personal life. Essentially, I think I might have social anxiety disorder, too. On top of that, I kind of feel like I might have schizoid personality disorder. I'm almost incapable of expressing emotions and engaging intimately with my spouse; it's horrible. Thus, I have horrible social fears that pretty much keep my confined to my home all day. I can't stand to be out in public, so I'm mostly living like a hermit, or shut-in. I'm also prone to feeling depression and anxiety from time to time. My wife tries to put up with me, but she seems to get tired of how often I become emotionally unstable and mentally exhausted, so that I just lie around complaining about how society is structured wrong and against people like me, and I basically have so many pessimistic, cynical things to say about everything from a really logical perspective. Sometimes I say things that I'm feeling and how the world just makes it worse, and she just goes, "...well... maybe you should try X, Y, Z..." It seems my problems are so logically real and coherent and difficult to live with that she can't even come up with any easy answer, herself, when attempting to aid me.

It sucks living like this, and I should probably seek help from a psychologist or something, because I do hope these disorders go away somehow; they're completely disabling me in life. And since I'm constantly overwhelmed and wrecked by these emotions and feelings and inabilities, I'm usually clue-less as to how to deal with them. So I really couldn't offer much advice or help on this topic, because I'm currently struggling to overcome this shit myself. LOL

 

[Philosophyking87]

I know exactly what you mean man. I guess it's cause we're "life learners" that we always are curious about something. I could easily see myself being an electrical engineer, technician, photographer, musician, mixing/mastering engineer, producer, radio host, DJ, music critic etc. I just can't seem to get serious about either one and I'd rather do all of them whenever I feel like it.

I'm also afraid that I'm going to become uninterested with college and drop out. I don't know if it's the lack of confidence or the knowledge that I'm usually lazy, probably both. I hope it doesn't happen because I have no real plans at the moment and school would be the one thing to bring structure into my life.

Indeed. Our curiosity and desire to dig our nose into everything that slightly interests us leaves us unfocused and very general in our knowledge. We just want to kind of know a little about everything. And being afraid of dropping out of college due to lack of interest is definitely a problem for me, too. I wonder if I'll just get tired of it all and say, "Fuck it." But it's not because I lack confidence. I have confidence in my intellectual ability, I just don't know if I'll have the will to keep going. I'm highly unmotivated and sluggish.

On top of that, I'm really pissed right now, because I think All Knowledge Should Be Free. To me, that's an important principle. I don't see how people can make others pay to learn; I see learning as I see drinking water: it's something basic to human life. Anyone should be able to learn who wants to; knowledge isn't entirely difficult to disseminate, so why should it cost money? Thus, I'm very annoyed with college in general, because it seems they're become more and more involved with corporations, big business, and economic things of that nature, which I really don't like, because I fuckin' hate greedy people. Business types are the ones who make the world shitty, imo. So my principles have been getting in the way lately. I've been thinking, "If we have to pay so much for school to learn, so that we can attempt to get a job somewhere for some greedy bastard business boss guy, am I really getting anything out of life?" Or, am I being used? Am I basically giving into some stupid social structure bullshit, where someone is essentially profiting from my desire to LEARN? Am I going to benefit more from my education more than some greedy bastards who are expecting me to pay for it? Am I just being dick'd and exploited, for simply loving to learn? Is academia really where I want to be, or is it a complete pile of greedy bullshit, now? Is a university what it SHOULD be, and is a university what it USED to be? What are universities now?

Most likely, I think the answer to these questions aren't pleasant ones, so I might have a difficult time persuading myself to continue on all the way through college. I might realize the true nature of the situation and discontinue to pay for college out of a will to protest, because then my principle will have been violated.

So, we'll see. But obviously my situation is a lot worse, if my principles will constantly be in question the entire fucking time I'm trying to learn something. =/

 

[DesertSmeagle]

im reading my posts and my post responses and im realizing that i think differently during the morning and day than i do at night haha its really weird. i sound really depressing haha. Maybe it was just because i was tired a 2 am. I really dont know. But now its 3 pm typing this, and im not feeling depressed at all, well maybe a little, but thats from reading my own posts. Its like sometimes at night i feel this sense of hopelessness. Its like i save my depression garbage for night. Maybe its because night is the only time i have to think about it. And then these thoughts stick with me when im in bed, keeping me from sleeping. I dont know, sorry if it sounds like im bitching too much. Ill try to come here more during the day.

 

[SpaceYeti]

Yup... that's the typical INTP/INTJ relationship. We're the badass theoreticians and they are the little implementers who take our ideas and work 'em out practically. Awesome collaboration indeed.

You should check out ISTP's. They're not too bad. They basically enjoy improving systems, as well, albeit in a much more practical and mechanical fashion.

I dunno if any of my friends are that. I'll look into it.

 

[nexion]

Sadly, I can relate to this, too. I'm going through so many problems right now, in my personal life. Essentially, I think I might have social anxiety disorder, too. On top of that, I kind of feel like I might have schizoid personality disorder. I'm almost incapable of expressing emotions and engaging intimately with my spouse; it's horrible. Thus, I have horrible social fears that pretty much keep my confined to my home all day. I can't stand to be out in public, so I'm mostly living like a hermit, or shut-in. I'm also prone to feeling depression and anxiety from time to time. My wife tries to put up with me, but she seems to get tired of how often I become emotionally unstable and mentally exhausted, so that I just lie around complaining about how society is structured wrong and against people like me, and I basically have so many pessimistic, cynical things to say about everything from a really logical perspective. Sometimes I say things that I'm feeling and how the world just makes it worse, and she just goes, "...well... maybe you should try X, Y, Z..." It seems my problems are so logically real and coherent and difficult to live with that she can't even come up with any easy answer, herself, when attempting to aid me.

It sucks living like this, and I should probably seek help from a psychologist or something, because I do hope these disorders go away somehow; they're completely disabling me in life. And since I'm constantly overwhelmed and wrecked by these emotions and feelings and inabilities, I'm usually clue-less as to how to deal with them. So I really couldn't offer much advice or help on this topic, because I'm currently struggling to overcome this shit myself. LOL

I can completely and totally relate to everything in this post. Well, except for the spouse, as I am not married. People generally hate it when I say something negative about government or society, most likely become they simply don't understand how I think, and, given that condition is met, highly underestimate how much I do think on stuff such as this. And all my thinking on these types of things have given me very little positive or satisfactory responses. So it's no wonder why I'm cynical and pessimistic, and yet people always ask me why I am so cynical and pessimistic. If they thought like me or actually thought for five minutes then they would know. Give me a fucking break, people. Of course, whenever I do voice these thoughts to others (which I have begun doing even less because they are frowned upon, only increasing my hatred of everything) they have no idea what the hell I'm talking about, and don't care to either. So no point in telling anyone anything. No one is receptive to unbridled truth. What they have to say in response doesn't help anything anyway.

And so it is a vicious cycle of thinking, cynicism, apathy, and emotional instability (figures about the only times INTP's display emotion is when they're emotionally unstable). The whole ordeal frequently just makes me pissed off or depressed.

 

[Philosophyking87]

I can completely and totally relate to everything in this post. Well, except for the spouse, as I am not married. People generally hate it when I say something negative about government or society, most likely become they simply don't understand how I think, and, given that condition is met, highly underestimate how much I do think on stuff such as this. And all my thinking on these types of things have given me very little positive or satisfactory responses. So it's no wonder why I'm cynical and pessimistic, and yet people always ask me why I am so cynical and pessimistic. If they thought like me or actually thought for five minutes then they would know. Give me a fucking break, people. Of course, whenever I do voice these thoughts to others (which I have begun doing even less because they are frowned upon, only increasing my hatred of everything) they have no idea what the hell I'm talking about, and don't care to either. So no point in telling anyone anything. No one is receptive to unbridled truth. What they have to say in response doesn't help anything anyway.

And so it is a vicious cycle of thinking, cynicism, apathy, and emotional instability (figures about the only times INTP's display emotion is when they're emotionally unstable). The whole ordeal frequently just makes me pissed off or depressed.

Haha, nice. Brilliant post. There are many truths here, with regard to INTP's and our general way of life as INTP's, which are eloquently stated. But to really get on to what you stated, it's very true, at least in my own experience and what I've heard of other INTP's, that people generally dislike to hear our thoughts, merely because they're usually pessimistic and cynical, because we're logically aware of what's going on around us, whereas most other people just seem completely oblivious. This is, of course as you said, because they generally don't enjoy thinking on a daily basis, about hardly anything. And even those people who do think sometimes don't really care to think about the things we tend to think about. I guess they're too serious and generally dramatic types of things to think about for simple people who just want to see life as a rosy place to live, which it clearly isn't.

And I definitely relate to the notion that you just don't even feel it worthwhile to communicate with others about your ideas, after a while, as — at some point — it just becomes pointless to say anything to anyone else. They're relatively simple, boring simpletons. Or, they're just not interested in conspiracy theory type ideas, or they just want to know something a bit more 'practical.' Whatever the case, they don't enjoy listening to people like us in the least.

And lastly, it is undoubtedly true that we tend to live in a horrible vicious cycle of cynical and pessimistic thinking, general apathy (which is viewed as laziness), a love of leisure (which always reminds me of the philosophy of Epicurus), and this intense emotional instability which constantly plagues us from day to day.

Grand post.

 

[nexion]

Well thank you, kind sir.

 

[Philosophyking87]

No, thank you, for not being a complete fucking retard, like most everyone else.
LOL

 

[nexion]

Hahaha. Alright then.

 

[onthewindowstand]

I am not! lol. But ya, I agree with most of the observations here so far, ecspecially that most people are idiots.

 

[Philosophyking87]

I am not! lol. But ya, I agree with most of the observations here so far, ecspecially that most people are idiots.

I was on some website called typologycentral. I posted this exact self-description which I wrote and someone said I was being 'arrogant' for calling others mindless hoi polloi. He got offended and everyone started rebuking me for assuming others are morons. LOL! Wow. That others people are idiots seems like the most obvious thing I can think of off the top of my head, and some people think it's arrogant to honestly admit that?

But yeah, most people are seriously lacking in intellectual power. It's almost hard to live from day to day knowing we inhabit this Earth with these mindless cretins. These fucking drones!!!

 

[onthewindowstand]

I know man. Ironically them calling you arrogant shows their arrogance. The inability to admit reality is the highest level of delusion and arrogance was well, I am actually leaning towards a line of thinking that says people are just so biased, and wishful in their thinking that no level of intelligence would be enough for them. This is a much worse situation to be in btw. But i think that people also lack intelligence, just shows what i think of most people. hahaha. Sadly all the evidence is in my favor, i would much rather most people be competent.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

On top of that, I'm really pissed right now, because I think All Knowledge Should Be Free.
/

I feel the same way, but remember that Knowledge is Power. An ideal INTP world would be a place where people would share their ideas enthusiastically and show a great desire for learning. However we live in the world of ambitions and having more knowledge than others is the key to dominating over other people to acquire your ambitions. It's like being stranded on a tropical island, there is always going to be someone who wants to get over on everyone else so they can live in luxury.

im reading my posts and my post responses and im realizing that i think differently during the morning and day than i do at night haha its really weird.

Yes, INTPs go through a cycle just like what is said below:

And so it is a vicious cycle of thinking, cynicism, apathy, and emotional instability .

and:

And lastly, it is undoubtedly true that we tend to live in a horrible vicious cycle of cynical and pessimistic thinking, general apathy (which is viewed as laziness), a love of leisure (which always reminds me of the philosophy of Epicurus), and this intense emotional instability which constantly plagues us from day to day.

Oh and I love being an INTP, but we must not get lost in our disdain for other's lack of intellectual intelligence. That surely is the road to cynicism, mental retreat, a complete loss of reality and eventually suicide. Sustain your objectivity. Who are we to assert that life is about acquiring knowledge as opposed to an ESFPs or ESTPs principle of having fun first and foremost? It's tough, but the quicker you acknowledge that other types have an intelligence of their own, be it emotional, social or physical, the quicker you will be on the road to self-actualization.

 

[pjoa09]

i feel like a stupid ass surrounded by morons.

 

[nexion]

Oh and I love being an INTP, but we must not get lost in our disdain for other's lack of intellectual intelligence. That surely is the road to cynicism, mental retreat, a complete loss of reality and eventually suicide. Sustain your objectivity. Who are we to assert that life is about acquiring knowledge as opposed to an ESFPs or ESTPs principle of having fun first and foremost? It's tough, but the quicker you acknowledge that other types have an intelligence of their own, be it emotional, social or physical, the quicker you will be on the road to self-actualization.

The point of MY life is to acquire as much intelligence as possible. I understand what you are saying, but it extremely difficult for me to believe anything could be more important...

 

[Gather_Wanderer]

The point of MY life is to acquire as much intelligence as possible. I understand what you are saying, but it extremely difficult for me to believe anything could be more important...

Lately I wonder why I've been doing just this. The last two years or so, I've been spending a lot of time trying to understand individual people, what makes them tick, etc; It's difficult when most people get into groups, as they tend to hide their true beings, but in a one-on-one setting things get interesting. I mean I find myself talking to all sorts of people now, whenever I see the opportunity for investigation. I don't have a clue why I'm doing this though.

Side note: I hate it when my operations become exposed. Sometimes, by surprisingly clever and observational people, my true act is revealed and my "cover" is blown. A girl I once was investigating got really upset with me, and said, "Would you f**king stop! I'm not just some experiment!" (I was shocked she used that specific word, as that is precisely what I thought of it...) It could be pretty hilarious from an outsider's point of view, me getting bashed, but when people catch me observing them, I usually have nowhere to run and it sucks.

 

[nexion]

lol. I treat people as experiments, or theories, and don't mind if someone else treats me in the exact same way.

What have your studies shown you thus far?

 

[EyeSeeCold]

You don't have to believe in anything other than acquiring knowledge. Just respect others' life mission. It could be the difference from being an INTP in recluse and an INTP at the forefront of society.

Then again it's your life and you can totally do what you want.