INTP programmers

[ldalton]

Hi, this is my first thread here. I hope I'm not doing something wrong.

I'm a very serious programmer (I drink my coffee out of Python-labeled mugs), and when I work with other programmers I noticed I look for the qualities which pertain to an INTP -- I want them to question themselves, as well as the work of others; I want them to find the best solution, not the common one; I want them to understand the way I do.

Now, I've noticed not all programmers are INTPs. I'm in education currently (because I have to), and when I look upon my classmates, all I think is: "You're not cut out for programming." Except for a chosen few. There's something about them: they seem to understand on an entirely different level.

Could this be that they display the traits of my personality and therefore I can empathize more easily? What do you guys think?

PS: My native tongue isn't English, so please do excuse inadequacies.

 

[Oblivious]

Your english is superb.

Anyway, about your question. I have asked myself this question before, and I think it helps when phrased this way: "Can you be objectively biased?"

Of course, this is a paradox, a contradiction, and I have come to decide that the answer is no. If the premise of your selections and preferences are completely objective in nature, then they are objective in nature.

However, you must be very careful of other people's boundaries. What we consider purely work may be a combination of work and relationship to them. Therefore our cold methodical ways intended to produce the best quality work would in fact cost us socially.

I personally am not an expert in these matters, and I still find it difficult to discern where they draw the line if they draw it at all. However I have found that it is good to first of all get them talking about themselves and then listen. First of all, this is a hit with the ladies, and second of all you know how to handle the situation better if you have some idea of how they think.

This is especially important for working in teams.

 

[ldalton]

Your english is superb.

Anyway, about your question. I have asked myself this question before, and I think it helps when phrased this way: "Can you be objectively biased?"

Of course, this is a paradox, a contradiction, and I have come to decide that the answer is no. If the premise of your selections and preferences are completely objective in nature, then they are objective in nature.

However, you must be very careful of other people's boundaries. What we consider purely work may be a combination of work and relationship to them. Therefore our cold methodical ways intended to produce the best quality work would in fact cost us socially.

I personally am not an expert in these matters, and I still find it difficult to discern where they draw the line if they draw it at all. However I have found that it is good to first of all get them talking about themselves and then listen. First of all, this is a hit with the ladies, and second of all you know how to handle the situation better if you have some idea of how they think.

This is especially important for working in teams.

Thank you!

Indeed, I have noticed that about boundaries (and too have a hard time seeing the line), one such example is when my coworkers commit code to a VCS, and I in a later commit "correct", or rather "clean up", their code.

Some programmers go "Ah, thanks for doing that for me!", while others go "Yeah, that wasn't really called for, was it?", expressing it as if I were offending them -- to me, it's simply a matter of increasing quality.

As for talking with others about them, I find this hard. Not because I don't care, but because I really want to get to the information and the talking is only a medium. I tend to get into a sort of police-style questioning mode -- but it's simply because that's the best way to retrieve information using spoken language!

I have this other coworker who is entirely uncompetitive. It's a breeze working with him, because to him, it's not about who's the better programmer or who knows more, and so no such tension exists. Though, I think, it affects his output quality: there is no logical reason for him to overachieve or generalize the solution.

 

[Raku]

Now, I've noticed not all programmers are INTPs. I'm in education currently (because I have to), and when I look upon my classmates, all I think is: "You're not cut out for programming." Except for a chosen few. There's something about them: they seem to understand on an entirely different level.

Could this be that they display the traits of my personality and therefore I can empathize more easily? What do you guys think?

I'm not sure its about their personality traits. I'm a programmer too and have thought about the same things as you. I always look upon my classmates as if they don't really understand what they're doing and don't even want to know! I'm not annoyed by that, to each their own, but I can be very quick to point out their incompetence, which isn't always appreciated. I tend to question everybody's measures, including those of teachers.

Now, maybe its me but I don't think its emphathy which causes it. I think it might be more about proefficiency than anything else. If you are good at something, then you will recognize it sooner in other people. Also, being INTP, our need to understand and innovate works well with being a programmer and I don't mean just typing code, but more the architectural side. I think it allows us to be pretty decent at programming if we put effort into it.

 

[MrJones]

Also, as an INTP, you're going to be prone to looking at people in this manner. Whether it be at school, work, personal life. As INTP's , we feel we've got the ultimate system for virtually everything we do. We've dissected everything.
Certainly, programming goes well with our INTP ways, but I bet INTP's of all trades/professions are constantly looking around mentally guaging abilities of co-workers.

 

[Luzian]

Lets see. I tend to act like my intelligence isn't the most important thing there is. I ask for people's help even if I don't need it, and when I help others, I sympathize with their error as if it's understandable. All because I really don't think intelligence is the most important thing.

You have to make sacrifices. The most important thing for me at work, is to keep my job.

 

[Luzian]

I knew an ISTP programmer who is facinated by how I solve problems

An INFP programmer who freaks out with problems

Two ENFP programmers who aren't so good, but very enjoyable people to be around.

INTJ programmers who were a pain in everyone's ass, thus not enjoyable people to be around.

An ISTJ programmer who I thought was at my level, but turned out she was only fast because she's only good at what she knows, and terrible at facing new problems.

I think the only INTP programmer I knew was a guy who needed some help with his hygene, but otherwise sufficient.