Effect of dystopian literature on INTP

[pyromine]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone else here believes there is a possibility that those who are INTP takes a larger hit from dystopian literature than most other types.

I am currently writing an essay for my English exam coming up on Tuesday and I postulated that due to the type of thinking and our ability to analyze society we could possibly be the most moved by this type of literature. I make this postulation mainly after reading Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451.

Some of my thinking is involved in the fact that the INTP type is considered atleast by similiar minds to demonstrate qualities like, "likes science fiction, unemotional, rule breaker, does not like happy people, appreciates strangeness, loner, wrestles with the meaninglessness of existence." Also, I didn't notice the likes science fiction description there until now, but I'll post this anyways.

 

[Emelina]

It's possible. I read Fahrenheit, Brave New World and 1984, and after each one I've needed a serious dose of youtube puppies. One sees the similarities between the dystopia and the real world, and it's like a projector transparency...One can see what the world would be like, all one's impulses for creation and knowledge (which are vital for an INTP) silenced...That's the most disquieting part for me.
I think we also like to figure things out and to see or predict possibilities, so at least I spent a while thinking about how these things could have come to happen. Some things are more likely than others obviously, but when I compare the novels to some aspects of the real world like North Korea and how people rely more and more on technology and disconnect from each other, or when one sees how some people really do talk mostly about reality TV...Well, it makes me shudder.
Some other points - I think many INTPs are used to feeling like a minority of one AND we don't like to have to follow orders or tradition just for the sake of it. These novels have precisely that in common, there is one character that goes against the tide, and he gets terrible orders that he shouldn't question. I think about my dad for example, and ISTJ - he'd never mind following orders or tradition just for their own sake, he loves them.

 

[joal0503]

the classical dystopian fiction i read back in the day had substance...i havent read too much into the new sort of fictions, but from what i gather they generally revolve around zombies or some unappealing bullshit drawn more to entertain than to teach.

 

[Cavallier]

Some other points - I think many INTPs are used to feeling like a minority of one AND we don't like to have to follow orders or tradition just for the sake of it. These novels have precisely that in common, there is one character that goes against the tide, and he gets terrible orders that he shouldn't question.

Add to that a general disgust of higher powers limiting information as well as a delicious sense of mental independence and its easy to see why many with the intuitive thinking leanings might identify with dystopian literature.

I sometimes think that books like 1984 are crystalized extreme depictions of a world as I already see it. That's when I know it's time to dig out the anti-depressants.

 

[KidHybrid]

Add to that a general disgust of higher powers limiting information as well as a delicious sense of mental independence and its easy to see why many with the intuitive thinking leanings might identify with dystopian literature.

I sometimes think that books like 1984 are crystalized extreme depictions of a world as I already see it. That's when I know it's time to dig out the anti-depressants.

Pretty-much summed up my entire thought on the topic.

 

[Starswirl]

I am fascinated by dystopia, although I can't quite say that it has emotionally moved me. The reason for this interest, I feel, is because I have come to realize that, when applied to the world, there is no difference between a dystopia and a utopia. It merely depends upon what one values. Plato's "Republic" is often considered the first utopian novel, describing what Plato viewed as a perfect society, but this society eerily mirrors "Brave New World". The society in "Fahrenheit 451" had an almost unimaginably high standard of living. And the wars of "1984" created a lasting, stable social order.

It really just depends on perception.

 

[MichiganJFrog]

i havent read too much into the new sort of fictions, but from what i gather they generally revolve around zombies or some unappealing bullshit

I'll have you know there are many fine people out there writing, editing, and selling zombie books and bringing joy to millions in the process and ... oh, hell, yeah, you're right, they're total bullshit

 

[MissQuote]

I just had a discussion on Brave New World earlier today with my TJ husband.

Correct that, I ramblingly told him the entire story over a half an hour and explained my thoughts on it being a philosophical horror story that suggests tragic results where search for utopia could lead and how the implications tie in with my ideas on the need for human conflict in order to prevent dystopia- utopia being impossible- no matter how unpleasant conflict seems.

His response was that the tragedy lied in the taking away of personal responsibility.

He hasn't read the book, that was based on my telling of the story to him, but it was definitely a far cry from what I took from the story, or how it affected me. Of course, I may just be a poor story teller. (yeah, that too)

Whether this sort of literature affects certain types more or less I couldn't say, wouldn't asking how it affects different types be a better starting question? Need to know what the affect is before you can measure it, no?

 

[Emelina]

I just had a discussion on Brave New World earlier today with my TJ husband.

Correct that, I ramblingly told him the entire story over a half an hour and explained my thoughts on it being a philosophical horror story that suggests tragic results where search for utopia could lead and how the implications tie in with my ideas on the need for human conflict in order to prevent dystopia- utopia being impossible- no matter how unpleasant conflict seems.

His response was that the tragedy lied in the taking away of personal responsibility.

He hasn't read the book, that was based on my telling of the story to him, but it was definitely a far cry from what I took from the story, or how it affected me. Of course, I may just be a poor story teller. (yeah, that too)

Whether this sort of literature affects certain types more or less I couldn't say, wouldn't asking how it affects different types be a better starting question? Need to know what the affect is before you can measure it, no?

I suppose :P I'd say it affects some in varying degrees and ways, and others not at all because they'd never willingly read it. I wonder what traditionalists think about it, since they're so respectful of authority. I mean, it's a book that shows authority being untrustworthy pigs, right?

 

[Sorlaize]

I want to write my own because of how much I know and how exciting I can make it. Maybe that has something to do with how real I allow fantasy to be.

 

[Duxwing]

I suppose :P I'd say it affects some in varying degrees and ways, and others not at all because they'd never willingly read it. I wonder what traditionalists think about it, since they're so respectful of authority. I mean, it's a book that shows authority being untrustworthy pigs, right?

I conjecture that they'd either commit the fallacy of denial or No True Scotsman.

-Duxwing

 

[MissQuote]

Arg. I was searching for this in the literature forum, couldn't find it then didn' know where it was.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed that the protagonist in these sorts of Dystopian fantasy's have a high tendency to be intelligent, though unaware of it, IF types, and often possibly INF types?

 

[snafupants]

I recall looking at government, war and the media differently after reading 1984. I wouldn't characterize the overall tenor as a peak emotional experience though.

 

[MissQuote]

I suppose :P I'd say it affects some in varying degrees and ways, and others not at all because they'd never willingly read it. I wonder what traditionalists think about it, since they're so respectful of authority. I mean, it's a book that shows authority being untrustworthy pigs, right?

Well, as I said, my TJ husband has never read the story (Brave New World) , but after I gave a verbal account of the entire thing to him his reaction was that it was a pure shame that all personal responsibility had been taken away.

A lack of personal responsibility was the biggest tragedy he saw in the story.

 

[nightstreaking]

Anyway, has anyone else noticed that the protagonist in these sorts of Dystopian fantasy's have a high tendency to be intelligent, though unaware of it, IF types, and often possibly INF types?

It's been a while since I read Brave New World, but the protagonist struck me as being very INFP, Shakespeare fixation and all. I suppose NT types aren't idealistic enough to be so moved by rage or indignation that they would actually do stuff to contradict the existing order (John committed suicide).

I postulated that due to the type of thinking and our ability to analyze society we could possibly be the most moved by this type of literature.

I picked up Huxley on a whim when I was in middle school, and I do think that INTPs may be more compelled to read dystopian literature (or sci-fi novels) because they are worlds made to be observed (worlds that often satirize the real one). The extent to which an INTP is moved (emotionally stirred) would depend on orientation (enneagram 6s would, in theory, be sadder than 5s; the more "humane" or social he is, the more affected he will be).

I have come to realize that, when applied to the world, there is no difference between a dystopia and a utopia. It merely depends upon what one values. Plato's "Republic" is often considered the first utopian novel, describing what Plato viewed as a perfect society, but this society eerily mirrors "Brave New World".

I noticed that, too. Brave New World is already a dystopic utopia.

 

[Fghw]

Dystopian literature plunges me into a despondency-based depression. Yet I continue to read it.