Geneology, patriotism and INTP

[koan]

I'm wondering if this is a common INTP thing.

I am astounded by by other people attaching themselves to ancestors and/or places of origin. I don't understand it. I have no clue how they can explain how that has any bearing on who they are. It only matters if they choose to make it an issue, yes? It's not innate, it's learned?

 

[Tony3d]

People just naturally like to associate themselves with groups.

 

[koan]

I don't. I am mostly interested in INTP typology because it explains best why other people think I'm fucked up whilst I think they are fucked up.

I see no rational explanation for caring about family or cultural background if you are assessing the world around you objectively.

eta: sorry, cultural background helps you eliminate bias so it's actually kind of useful, but only in that context.

 

[Tony3d]

I don't. I am mostly interested in INTP typology because it explains best why other people think I'm fucked up whilst I think they are fucked up.

I see no rational explanation for caring about family or cultural background if you are assessing the world around you objectively.

eta: sorry, cultural background helps you eliminate bias so it's actually kind of useful, but only in that context.

Of course you don't agree with my statment, because you are the exception not the norm, that is the whole reason for bringing up this topic.

I beleive the same myself though, in general I have seen INTPs to be very distant and not attatched to group associations.


If it wern't for the fact that most INTPs shun being friendly and making small talk with the same distain you would have for Nazis or child molestors or the bubonic plagu, I might have something in common with them.

 

[LarsMac]

I doubt it has much to do with INTP.
I grew up in two families. My mother's family was very strong and centralized. Living in the Appalachian country, where family was often the only thing one could count upon. My Father's family was fairly independent, but with a fairly strong sense of history and where we fit in it.

I have always been fascinated with history, and with where my families were throughout history.
Several of my ancestors were significant contributors to the history of the American continent.
While I fail miserably at the task of documenting and tracking the family and genealogy, I do appreciate the work of the members who have been actively doing the work.
I am sure, though, that in spite of my fascination, were it up to me to track and provide the information, our family would be in the dark about their history.

Many of the people I knew when I was growing up have had a very strong influence on who I am, and their grasp of their place in history is a part of that.

 

[Fukyo]

I'm not patriotic, and in fact it repels me in other people. Phrases like "serving one's country" make me sick, and the pride associated with one's country nation seems misplaced and conditioned. I feel the same about nationalism and racism.

I'm interested in genealogy, and my genetic ancestors though. I will try out one of those National Geographic gene testing kits in the future.

I do associate with attachment to the place where I live, simply because of familiarity and the experiences that took part there. I also care about my family, but I see it as a less rigid social grouping.

 

[LarsMac]

Not quite sure how 'patriotism' fits into this.

 

[EditorOne]

Things have a way of taking on their own direction here, although: Would it be unusual to find a strong interest in genealogy accompanying a stronger-than-average sense of patriotism?

What I've noticed is that often the people loudest about genealogy are the ones with successful ancestors. You don't really hear too many people say 'Yeah, my great-great grandfather cut peat in an Irish bog.' That may simply be logical: If you're looking for genetic endowment as one more meter of what to expect out of your own life, it is reassuring to know an ancestor invented paper or was successful at something. If an ancestor cut peat - it's not proof you're going nowhere, but it's not something to trot out to motivate yourself.

There's also a subset of people who just are curious about their antecedents.

And another subset who haven't got anything going for themselves, but do have previous successful generations to talk about.

 

[Architect]

In my small experience on this subject I've noticed that Si dominant types seem to be the ones with a predilection for these kinds of things. Se dominant type groups such as LDS members also get into genealogy. One person I admire - Christopher Hitchens - was into it in the sense of knowing your DNA sequence, and thereby your personal connection and history with not just people but the entire animal kingdom.

I had some small interest in that when I was younger having identified with my supposed background. Now that I'm older I have little interest in such things, other than a mild curiosity at best.

 

[Psychic Child]

Family life is worse than prison- Buddah

 

[kvothe27]

I've never really been big on it either. I have enough trouble caring about living relatives, let alone dead ones. The only time I inquired into my family history was when I had an idea regarding the transmission of mental illness. Even then, I found it very tiring, especially when the focus ended up centered on possessions.

 

[LarsMac]

Speaking of history, I have it on good authority that a distant cousin was among the first to climb down from the trees, and begin the migration to Asia Minor.

 

[pernoctator]

Not quite sure how 'patriotism' fits into this.

Well, it's in the title.

 

[LarsMac]

Obviously.
I do remember when I was younger, how the local chapter of DAR was interested in Mom when they found out she was descended from the "Indian Fighter and Patriot of the Revolution" until they also learned about the "Daughter of the Creole Buccaneer"


That kinda took the wind out their sails. Needless to say, Mom never joined up.

 

[pjoa09]

Family life is worse than prison- Buddah

I will be quoted on October 2nd 2012 in response to a forum poster that goes by the name of Psychic Child - Aristotle

Well it seems rather apparent that your ancestors have had occupations close to your current occupation. So I think genealogy is reasonable thing to take pride in.

Generally, you'd expect someones son to do something similar to what their father did in terms of occupation. It's never a perfectly clean slate.

That being said I am far from being in close contact with all of my relatives.

 

[koan]

Wow. Those are some fun replies so far.
I have "son" in my surname and the preceding part describes nothing. Not a trade, not a hill in the distance, not the town whore.

My parents are intriguing in that they actually managed to stay married. My country is fun because we're one of the few that managed to burn the White House and still get a trade deal. I was born in a certain place to certain people and I can't say that the place or the people have an ounce of clue as to who or what I sense myself to be. It might have made life easier for me if either had been the case but I'm not into going the easy way just for the avoidance of work. If my father invented the wheel that would only mean he was smart. It wouldn't mean I am.

 

[eagor]

im interested in mine only because i'm a mutt, and i want to see if im more then 2% anything...so far no

 

[Fghw]

Nationalism is justified narcissism.