INTP and social class

[Tunesimah]

I'm a bit curious about the percentages of INTP in the strata of social class. Mostly from a financial perspective, since an INTP isn't going to care about the social part much at all. Also what affects social upbringing has on an INTP, I'd imagine an INTP growing up in a financially well off household will end up being quite a bit different from an impoverished INTP.

I'd imagine an INTP doesn't do too much change in social class, unless something extreme happens. There just isn't too much motivation to rise up, and the opportunities are available in the higher class to stay there... better schools to take advantage of an INTPs intellect from a younger age.

Personally, I come from a fairly low-class standing. My whole extended family is what I like to call low-class intellectuals, which is really quite a good thing. Filled with unassuming intellectuals, and many teachers. And our conversations can often tumble into the philosophical.

On an even more personal note, I don't have much desire to make money or achieve anything really. I'm too far removed to understand the social systems that make up even upper middle class life.

Interestingly, I think an INTP is best suited to live an unassuming life beneath the social hierarchy. As long as they are surviving, the quest for understanding is a pretty cheap hobby to pursue.

An impoverished INTP is just as 'successful' as a rich INTP... if they both have beautiful ideas.... I think...

 

[SEPKA]

My guess is that the INTP are most likely going to raise in social class by going the scientist route, and their motivation is intellectual discovery. Sure they won't be president, CEO, world dominator, etc. because of the excessive political game, but excellence scientist is respected by the society as much as the others.
Better school does not necessary give INTP more advantage, unless you are talking about the better superficial degree that people will judge you on regardless of your ability. But it seems like degree play very small role in the long term on the job market, as someone with better skill will raise in the end. Almost all school I have attended actually inhibited me, because teacher will said "don't think too much" and give you homework to practise that contains the exact same type of question as the 42947839853954 previous one.
Einstein are not rich, yet still considered successful, so I agree with the last point.

 

[Trebuchet]

Well, I am not sure what you are going to do with this information, but I grew up in a white-collar middle class family. If there was something we really wanted, like going to a private college, we managed to make it work, but we couldn't afford European vacations or a summer home. Both parents are professional, well-educated, and dedicated to parenting, though both are now retired. One INTP Engineer and one INFP Librarian.

My current social class is probably about the same as how I grew up. No, I don't have much interest in climbing socially, but I can still fantasize about winning the lottery. Money isn't what we love most, or we wouldn't have me staying at home with our daughter.

Here in California, your car matters more than your clothes for status. The fact that I drive a 2003 Toyota Camry should be clear enough to any fellow Californian.

 

[Ombat]

Here in California, your car matters more than your clothes for status. The fact that I drive a 2003 Toyota Camry should be clear enough to any fellow Californian.

Indeed. I live in Los Angeles, so I'll back you up on this. My uncle manages a Toyota dealership and he drives around in a yellow Ferrari.

My family is very well-off (not rich), but no one in my family is an INTP besides me (mostly ExTx) so I can't really contribute to this thread.

I have a feeling that I will be slightly lower in social status as an adult than the rest of my family, but then again, I have no clue what I want to do with my life. It doubtfully involves high ambition or very hard work though.

 

[Tunesimah]

Indeed. I live in Los Angeles, so I'll back you up on this. My uncle manages a Toyota dealership and he drives around in a yellow Ferrari.

Interesting, I think I got a sense of that crap when I had a job near chicago. There were so many luxury cars on the road, it sometimes made me physically ill. Especially the SUVs...

Working a job so I can make these peeps more money so they can get a better car to impress people, just so I can hopefully get a raise so I can get a better car to impress other people with... oh boy... disgusting.

 

[Ombat]

There are also car "trends"

For instance, almost everyone in my city drives a Prius because it's become a trend to do so. More a less it's become a trend to be "green" for fashion's sake, not because people really want to make an impact.

 

[Tunesimah]

There are also car "trends"

For instance, almost everyone in my city drives a Prius because it's become a trend to do so. More a less it's become a trend to be "green" for fashion's sake, not because people really want to make an impact.

I love that too, we can be green by buying something... sign me up...

 

[Trebuchet]

Interesting, I think I got a sense of that crap when I had a job near chicago. There were so many luxury cars on the road, it sometimes made me physically ill. Especially the SUVs...

Working a job so I can make these peeps more money so they can get a better car to impress people, just so I can hopefully get a raise so I can get a better car to impress other people with... oh boy... disgusting.

I can see why it turns you off, especially the SUVs. But there are some differences in California that make it more understandable, if not actually a good thing. First, you can't get around in California without a car, unless you live in the Bay Area. It's just about impossible. So everyone has one. Second, things are far apart, and everyone has to commute, because of the way things were zoned. I'd love to live close enough to walk to the store, but I don't, so I drive. Therefore we spend a lot of time in cars. Third, the weather is very good for cars. We don't have slippery, icy roads, so we can drive fast all year long. We don't have to salt our roads, except in the mountains, so high end fast cars stay in really good shape.

Also, when I look at other parts of the country, with people showing off their clothing or jewelry or whatever, in order to impress other people, that is just as irritating to me. I've met a lot of people from the East Coast of the US, and a lot of them (not all) have gone out of their way to brag about how expensive their stuff is, and in one case to criticize my engagement ring for not having a big enough diamond to suit her taste. Cars aren't any worse than any other means of impressing people.

I am very happy that for now, conspicuous consumption is considered in poor taste, due to the depressed economy, and maybe people will stop some of these annoying behaviors in every region.

I didn't expect this to turn into a discussion on cars, but honestly I do see a connection with social class. I would love to hear how people in other places establish their place on the social ladder, and why other INTPs don't bother there either.

 

[aracaris]

I can see why it turns you off, especially the SUVs. But there are some differences in California that make it more understandable, if not actually a good thing. First, you can't get around in California without a car, unless you live in the Bay Area. It's just about impossible. So everyone has one. Second, things are far apart, and everyone has to commute, because of the way things were zoned. I'd love to live close enough to walk to the store, but I don't, so I drive. Therefore we spend a lot of time in cars. Third, the weather is very good for cars. We don't have slippery, icy roads, so we can drive fast all year long. We don't have to salt our roads, except in the mountains, so high end fast cars stay in really good shape.

I know I'm continuing to go a bit off topic, but this is soooo true, I live in CA and the closest job I could find takes an hour+ to get to one way. I love CA but certain things really bug me about it, and this is one of those things. Californians by and large also drive like total nut balls, as in pretty much everyone is seriously impatient and a good portion drive 10+ miles over the speed limit whenever possible, and I know from experience that's not the trend in all states. And don't forget the California roll, which involves the typical slow down, but no actual stopping that many Californians do when they encounter a stop sign.

 

[RubberDucky451]

I know I'm continuing to go a bit off topic, but this is soooo true, I live in CA and the closest job I could find takes an hour+ to get to one way. I love CA but certain things really bug me about it, and this is one of those things. Californians by and large also drive like total nut balls, as in pretty much everyone is seriously impatient and a good portion drive 10+ miles over the speed limit whenever possible, and I know from experience that's not the trend in all states. And don't forget the California roll, which involves the typical slow down, but no actual stopping that many Californians do when they encounter a stop sign.

Don't forget materialistic! We really need to redefine the meaning of rich.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

A status symbol in my neck of the woods is a pickup with an extended cab.

I am middle middle class I suppose and will probably remain that way. I like a comfortable living but luxury never interested me whenever it became available to me. I like my pleasures simple. I'll go for crab over lobster, my Grand Am Or truck) over a Mercedes, a mid-priced Merlot over some expensive wine (that I can't even name). I've been associated with the rich and didn't get the feeling that I'd like the lifestyle they seemed to have. Not that I'd have to live as they did but right now I don't see a reason to strive for it (except travel, I'd like doing that and would like to do more international than once every 5 years or so).

 

[asdfasdfasdfsdf]

my dad is a doctor.
im studying computer engineering and hope to design hardware some day.
i guess i got lucky at birth.
but to be honest, i wouldnt mind living in a small shack with a garden in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Carnap]

My mom married a wealthy man, but a miser. He would pay for private schooling for us, her kids, but not give her any spending money. So, we had nice cars, food, good education (that's debatable), etc. but still my mom had to work to buy us clothes and stuff. So it was like we were half middle class, half upper middle class, somewhere hidden beneath all the dysfunction my stepfather was greedily sitting on a pile of money. He would buy himself horses and then get bored with them. A boat, never put in on the water. All while my mom was working her ass of to buy her kids clothes.

She divorced him, but didn't ask for half of the money, but got an average settlement. She now has a nice home and is retired, and she deserves it for putting up with that jerk for so long.

But me, I am now an adult and haven't got much direction. I want to study philosophy, but don't get along with the other people in the philosophy department (ever notice that all the jerks congregate in the philosophy departments of universities? especially the metaphysicians and the neo-positivists. in philosophy of science you find some more down to earth people, but...). It's a slow process. Luckily, I'm living in France, somewhat socialist. I can get financial aid here. But I'm a little unsure of my future. But...I can always go home to my mom like a big loser if I need to.

 

[Trebuchet]

I know I'm continuing to go a bit off topic, but this is soooo true, I live in CA and the closest job I could find takes an hour+ to get to one way. I love CA but certain things really bug me about it, and this is one of those things. Californians by and large also drive like total nut balls, as in pretty much everyone is seriously impatient and a good portion drive 10+ miles over the speed limit whenever possible, and I know from experience that's not the trend in all states. And don't forget the California roll, which involves the typical slow down, but no actual stopping that many Californians do when they encounter a stop sign.

It drives me nuts, too. No way should any region have jobs an hour away from homes. However, I haven't found a solution to that one. Re-zoning isn't going to happen, and Southern California got rid of its good public transportation a long time ago (See Roger Rabbit). We definitely do drive over the speed limit, which is not really optional, if you don't want a lot of road-enraged drivers giving you a hard time. I do stop, fully, at every stop sign, though, so that one isn't universal. On the whole, we are rude but skilled drivers.

The problems you list are very real. Many people have moved away from here because of them, and I can certainly see why. I haven't, because this is my home, but I am not blind to the reasons people hate the area.

All I was trying to say is that cars as a status symbol are inevitable here. As an INTP, I don't have or want a high-status car. I spend a good bit of time snarling at the Benzes and Lexus SUVs and so on, since I consider them gas-guzzling show-offs.

 

[aracaris]

It drives me nuts, too. No way should any region have jobs an hour away from homes. However, I haven't found a solution to that one. Re-zoning isn't going to happen, and Southern California got rid of its good public transportation a long time ago (See Roger Rabbit). We definitely do drive over the speed limit, which is not really optional, if you don't want a lot of road-enraged drivers giving you a hard time. I do stop, fully, at every stop sign, though, so that one isn't universal. On the whole, we are rude but skilled drivers.

The problems you list are very real. Many people have moved away from here because of them, and I can certainly see why. I haven't, because this is my home, but I am not blind to the reasons people hate the area.

All I was trying to say is that cars as a status symbol are inevitable here. As an INTP, I don't have or want a high-status car. I spend a good bit of time snarling at the Benzes and Lexus SUVs and so on, since I consider them gas-guzzling show-offs.

I actually live in Northern, but I've been to So Cal more than once, and aside from the traffic congestion being even worse in parts of LA than pretty much any where else in the state that I'm aware of the transportation issue isn't really different up here.

The state as a whole just has a long history of serious transportation issues, and terrible long commutes which only get worse as time goes on. The history of California's issue with public transportation goes back to the very beginnings of the state.

I do fully stop at stop signs, which has actually resulted in my getting rear ended by someone not really paying attention or expecting the person ahead of them coming to a complete stop, and I don't think that's a rare occurrence. Still it's better to get rear ended by someone that's coming almost to a stop than getting whacked by someone when they run the stop sign and have had a chance to gain some speed by the time they do hit you.

As far as cars as a status symbol, I remember when I was still in high school my parents started driving an old Mustang (vintage cars are very popular) and that for a while there were kids at school that took an interest in hanging out with me simply because of the car my parents was driving. I really had no desire to reciprocate that sudden and temporary interest.

 

[Trebuchet]

I actually live in Northern, but I've been to So Cal more than once, and aside from the traffic congestion being even worse in parts of LA than pretty much any where else in the state that I'm aware of the transportation issue isn't really different up here.

Thanks for clearing that up. I have, of course, visited Northern California many times, and I loved it, but I used public transportation there. The few times I drove, it was terrible (more now I expect in SF with the Bay Bridge closed), but I wasn't sure if that was just downtown SF, and I didn't want to generalize.

 

[anyaa]

"Quoting very first post"

I think I share the same thoughts....
All I need money is to give my family a normal satisfying{this doesn't include all that show-off stuff}...I mean money enough so that I don't get forcefully diverted from my long term interest..."I want to be a Good teacher at advanced studies in Engg."

 

[aracaris]

Thanks for clearing that up. I have, of course, visited Northern California many times, and I loved it, but I used public transportation there. The few times I drove, it was terrible (more now I expect in SF with the Bay Bridge closed), but I wasn't sure if that was just downtown SF, and I didn't want to generalize.

Yeah I've tried to use the almost non-existent public transportation in Northern California (well, at least in the county I live in, which isn't SF, I think SF may be one of the better areas in Nor Cal for public transportation).
The people whom work in public transportation in the county I live in that I encountered tended to be (though this isn't universal, it's way more common than it should be) incredibly rude and I've even seen cases of them venting on their customers (even I was once a victim of venting, despite the fact I was just nice and quiet) which along with their habit of running very late, or ditching people all together because they are spiteful human beings made me give up on it. Even after calling in and complaining about the rudeness of drivers, and being ditched the drivers weren't fired.