INTPians = Survivors

[Da Blob]

I am a member of the "Doom and Gloom" club when it comes to the future of Humanity, for reasons that need not be addressed at this point. I 'bunkered up" several decades ago, leaving the City and making a pilgrimage to the "Wilderness". I now actually know how to "Live off the Land" and I believe that is rare knowledge in these modern times.

Anyway, if the end of civilization, as we know it, is at hand (Which I doubt), what personality Types would be most likely to survive in an 'Apolyptic' environment? Would INTPians be among them?

Yes?
No!
Why?

 

[Decaf]

Clearly the edge goes to P's of all types. Extraverting our dominant perceiving trait makes us more adaptable. The degree of social decay would determine who had the advantage among I vs. E and T vs. F, but S's have the advantage for simply being more present to take care of what needs taking care of.

That being said, N's have the advantage in preparing for moments like these. With an utter societal collapse I would put my money on any INTPs and ISTPs that stick together... with perhaps an ENTJ to act as the taskmaster and an ISTJ to manage the no doubt meager supplies.

 

[Achilles]

If I have my MBTI lore correct, aren't we reputedly the least practically useful of all the types?

 

[Decaf]

If I have my MBTI lore correct, aren't we reputedly the least practically useful of all the types?

We are probably the most inclined toward learning things that others view as having no practical use, but that's actually useful in this case because we're talking about a catastrophe that would create needs other types would have assumed would have no importance.

And saying that INTPs aren't physically productive is the same as saying they never develop social skills. We develop them... we just need to get interested enough to start. Develop a paranoia about the apocalypse and you might find yourself studying smithing or charcoal making in no time.

 

[Vegard Pompey]

Here's hoping the apocalyptic scenario that comes along will be a zombie uprising.

2012 of the living dead anyone? *fingers crossed* I'm gonna be sooo ready for this.

 

[Cognisant]

It really depends upon the nature of the scenario, in a zombie apocalypse we would absolutely thrive, for example of an INTPian survival instinct (some may have heard this story before) I was participating in a team vs team paintball match and my team was getting briefed at the bottom of a hill with fortifications (containing the other team) at the top.

I jumped behind a tree, yelled "take cover", got jeered at, then watch unsympathetically as my entire team (myself excluded of course) was wiped out by a sustained barrage from the highly enthusiastic enemy team above us.
I will never forget that moment, it was beautiful, a symphony of pain & panic.

So yeah we INTPians may not be "practical" but in a world where civilization is lying in ruins I think it's safe to assume typical practicality flies out the window, if anything being the impractical oddball who has to do everything differently just makes you more likely to avoid the pitfalls befalling everyone else.

 

[Da Blob]

I was thinking that the "Jack of all Trades, Master of none" characteristic might be very beneficial to survival when competing against 'specialists and experts' for basic survival resources...
Also, The "P" could be very handy for cultivating a 'look before you leap' attitude and the entire tendency of "keeping you options open to the last minute" seems like the better trait for adaptation to changes in the environment.

 

[ckm]

SPs would have the advantage in my opinion. E over I for taking action. Te would be helpful as would N.

 

[Decaf]

The temptation is to think about the skills required to survive, but wouldn't psychological health be paramount after a catastrophe? Who is more prepared for lonely isolation and more willing to accept extreme solutions to problems?

Honestly I wonder if INTPs might be the first cannibals of post-apocalyptia. Well, at least the first converts.

 

[Anthile]

While it is often forgotten when people talk about the concept of evolution, "dumb luck" is one of the greatest influences. Who would like to admit that he only exists because the dinosaurs were not prepared for a meteor impact?
It really depends on what kind of disaster we are talking about. Zombie apocalypse? Economy crisis? Famine? War? Nuclear strike?

 

[Enola.Grey]

I heard Colorado is a safe zone. Do not ask why. I do not know either...

 

[Ghost1986]

would type really matter if your resources are low, weather is nasty and mammalian and reptilian aspects of the brain take over and all upper psychological skills go out the window?

 

[cuterebra]

Honestly I wonder if INTPs might be the first cannibals of post-apocalyptia. Well, at least the first converts.

Are you kidding me? You don't even want to get stuck on an elevator with me; if more than an hour or so went by I'd have you drawing straws. I get cranky if I'm not fed frequently--wouldn't take an apocalypse to push me into cannibalism.

 

[Enola.Grey]

In a post apocalyptic world, I would imagine things would turn out like the video game Half-Life 1 and 2... without the zombies and mutants... or super mutants...

I would raid a leather or latex shop for a cat suit and then I would arm myself with two Katanas, a compound bow and arrows, and duel pistols with all the ammo I can carry...

I would also get a body harness to have them readily available.

After I would set up a safe haven or base to stock pile weapons. Then I would find as much books and working computers I could learn all the knowledge I could.

Starting to sound like the Brotherhood of Steel.... that's the idea...

I would then establish a mantra for people that would join me...
"Wisdom confers power, and power confers right."

 

[Anling]

Honestly I wonder if INTPs might be the first cannibals of post-apocalyptia. Well, at least the first converts.

The only worry would be what they died of. No need to pick up their diseases as well. But I guess if they were thoroughly cooked there wouldn't be too much to worry about.

 

[Da Blob]

I do not know, of course, but it would seem 'logical' that the Outcasts of this society might be the founders of the next society. It seems that a lot of people are totally depending upon society for meeting their needs. If society should fail, they would not even have a clue where to start. Whereas, outcasts, like INTPians, have already learned one can't depend on society for much of anything and already have self-sufficient and self-reliant attitudes in play. I think Decaf was correct surviving mentally is a prerequisite to surviving physically. I do believe that the majority of humans would regress to primitive thinking and therefore would be at a comparative disadvantage when competing for scarce resources.

 

[Agent Intellect]

I agree with what was said above. I don't know how well INTP's would fair as far as pure survival technique so much as having the ability to get society restarted. An INTP's ability to be a minimalist would probably come in handy (perhaps this one is just me, though, but I have always been good at not having more then I need). But, I think in the end, the INTP's strength would be the 'idea person', able to generate ideas and foresee contingencies when rebuilding some sort of civilization.

I recently saw a show about ancient (as in 30,000 years ago) astronomers, and they talked about them watching and etching into stones the phases of the moon and stars etc, allowing the ancient civilizations to know the migratory patterns of animals and growing seasons of fruits etc. I couldn't help but think: "a person who is nocturnal enough to stay up all night, lazy enough to sit on their ass, and curious enough to look up at the sky and wonder what's going on; that has to be an the ancient INTP". So, I imagine an INTP in a post-apocalyptic world would be the one that took in the surroundings and wondered "What does all this mean? How can I utilize it and make something out of it?"

 

[bluesquid]

This might sound thoroughly retarded to you all, but bear with me.

If you think about survival? Read "The Stand" by King. I dont think I have ever read as many plausible, and deadly scenarios before.

I believe that the INTP's that have been able to push past the comfortable boundaries, may be well off. Many of you will draw strength from your favorite anime, and get squashed.

Many of you will be paralyzed with analysis, and be squashed.

Some of you can barely exert enough strength to type on a keyboard. You will be crushed.

Those of you that have acquired a foundation, will have the skills to use your god given aplomb.


Anyone who wants a list of things to do in order to prepare for a situation like this, pm me. i would be happy to list my preperations, and the sites I reference.​

 

[ld50]

Dumb luck.
More dumb luck.
People with stocked intact bunkers.
People with firearms.
People without firearms who raided the local sporting goods shop and then the canned goods aisle.

Ok, now lets talk types....*

 

[Devercia]

Develop a paranoia about the apocalypse and you might find yourself studying smithing or charcoal making in no time.

*Has actually done this* Made a crude knife.

I think this is a great point. I do not think INTP's would be good for survival, but rather would have isolated moments of great, possibly underrated glory. There are fiew types that match us for the sheer amount of what modern society would call trivia. So long as the menial day to day needs are taken care of; when the leader says, "we need to do this or that, anyone know how?", we can say "yes" when everyone else is shaking their head.

The usefulness of us would be in preserving the knowledge of the past. Like Decaf said, not many people would bother to learn basic metalurgy, ESPECIALLY the practical types. I dont think many people realise just how much would need to be reinvented.

 

[Ulysses]

It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round. I've always thought of society as an ecosystem of personalities, so perhaps the ratios would remain roughly the same even if the population started to dwindle.

 

[bluesquid]

It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round. I've always thought of society as an ecosystem of personalities, so perhaps the ratios would remain roughly the same even if the population started to dwindle.

It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round. ??

where you come up with that one?

we know for a fact because of MBTI that the majority of people are blind, and follow authority to a fault.

That alone gives us a huge advantage.

 

[Adymus]

I am a member of the "Doom and Gloom" club when it comes to the future of Humanity, for reasons that need not be addressed at this point. I 'bunkered up" several decades ago, leaving the City and making a pilgrimage to the "Wilderness". I now actually know how to "Live off the Land" and I believe that is rare knowledge in these modern times.

Anyway, if the end of civilization, as we know it, is at hand (Which I doubt), what personality Types would be most likely to survive in an 'Apolyptic' environment? Would INTPians be among them?

Yes?
No!
Why?

http://www.hulu.com/embed/eND2QDLaxNFEzq26ztRboA

 

[Ulysses]

It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round. ??

where you come up with that one?

we know for a fact because of MBTI that the majority of people are blind, and follow authority to a fault.

That alone gives us a huge advantage.

Imagine a body without a brain, or vice versa.

edit: I could be less vague, but your post isn't worth a detailed response.

 

[Decaf]

Y'know, when push comes to shove, INTPs are more capable of getting things done than many of us seem to believe. The problems lies in necessity. Modern culture leaves very few things in the realm of necessity, and very few of those things can be done on an individual level.

By bringing things back to an individual level I think we would thrive. No more having to deal with the social implications of our actions. Simple. Straight forward. Legal obligations? Demands on our future? I seriously doubt the profound hesitance that is an epidemic in INTPs today would survive the change as a weakness we view is as now.

EDIT:

we know for a fact because of MBTI that the majority of people are blind, and follow authority to a fault.

We don't know that MBTI is fact. Also I wouldn't think SP's or NJ's would have any special attachment to faultless obediance. That doesn't leave 50%

 

[Adymus]

we know for a fact because of MBTI that the majority of people are blind, and follow authority to a fault.

And it is this that makes human beings such a successful race.

 

[bluesquid]

Imagine a body without a brain, or vice versa.

edit: I could be less vague, but your post isn't worth a detailed response.

just that that post was the first official cliche I had read.

 

[Logician]

Random survivor: "we are running out of food, i thought you said you were getting together a run to the commercial district"

INTP: " ya i am don't worry "

a week later when the bunker is completely out of food and has been surviving off barely put together meals of scraps the INTP finally heads out...

shortly after the post-apocalyptic scenario began, the INTPs would indeed be very proficient, but after some form of order was established we would need some form of leader.

 

[Dormouse]

Just saying that I'm not gonna survive more than a minute come the zombie apocalypse. Or any type of disaster, really.

It's not just type, each would have their own advantages and disadvantages. Obviously some thrive more in the seperate stages of social destruction than others. But me? I'm doomed without a cozy place to retreat to and a couple of dictionaries/encyclopedias.

 

[timmymayes]

This is brilliant because I'm actually working on a piece of fiction revolving around zombie apocolypse as we speak. My main character is modeled after me so he will end up being INTP. But I think it will take all types in an apocolypse to work together. One of the keys is to identify those strengths and mix with people approriately. We as INTP's would need to assert ourselves more so as leaders than we normally do in life becasue we would contain both a vast back store of information and a greatly needed skill for the future; the ability to process the new world around us, our pattern recognition skills and our high level of intuitive flashes. And our group would need to know that we possess these abilities.

In general I feel that our type is particularly well sorted to coaching & consulting. Essentially we need to be able to tell people what needs done and have it get that way. In reality though we aren't exactly leaders. We don't like the position. So while we would be an immense resource in a survival / apocolyptic situation we would in reality need to align with someone who is a good leader or swallow our pride and start developing those skills.

But one inherent problem with becoming the leader is that it leaves us less time to really assess the world around us. I could see us falling into the leadership role in the initial small group of say 5-10 people. The world around us has more immediate threats than figuring out the more long term survival issues / problems. Then once we natually incorporate into a larger surival entity which would be necessary for long term survival we could then shift into a more advisory role where we are able to study the "new" world around us finding interesting solutions to interesting problems.

The thing is I feel our type would thrive much more so in a world where the communities are around 100-200 people. That gives us a good distribution ... only one or two of us around in the big group. We will be lauded for our specialness. LItterally one of a kind. We would be turned to for figuring out the answers to major problems and we would love the situation where we would have this group of people dependant on our genius but also having a leader around to deal with the details. We would secretly know that he's just our puppet anyway...more of an administrative assistant than anything.

 

[Decaf]

a week later when the bunker is completely out of food and has been surviving off barely put together meals of scraps the INTP finally heads out...

shortly after the post-apocalyptic scenario began, the INTPs would indeed be very proficient, but after some form of order was established we would need some form of leader.

Some INTPs actually learn to be good leaders, if reluctant. I don't think this is a type weakness as much as a tendency to avoid leadership skill building.

 

[Logician]

The need for a leader stems from the need for motivation, not the INTPs own lack of leadership ability. While the crisis is at hand, the INTP would have his motivation, but once order and safety is established absent-mindedness and procrastination will once again set in.

This may be slightly off topic, but in terms of hierarchy in a crisis or in anything else, the INTP would be most suited, and probably most comfortable, as the leaders right hand, his adviser. This way he can put all his ideas into work yet not have the full weight of responsibility.

 

[bluesquid]

This is brilliant because I'm actually working on a piece of fiction revolving around zombie apocolypse as we speak. My main character is modeled after me so he will end up being INTP. But I think it will take all types in an apocolypse to work together. One of the keys is to identify those strengths and mix with people approriately. We as INTP's would need to assert ourselves more so as leaders than we normally do in life becasue we would contain both a vast back store of information and a greatly needed skill for the future; the ability to process the new world around us, our pattern recognition skills and our high level of intuitive flashes. And our group would need to know that we possess these abilities.

In general I feel that our type is particularly well sorted to coaching & consulting. Essentially we need to be able to tell people what needs done and have it get that way. In reality though we aren't exactly leaders. We don't like the position. So while we would be an immense resource in a survival / apocolyptic situation we would in reality need to align with someone who is a good leader or swallow our pride and start developing those skills.

But one inherent problem with becoming the leader is that it leaves us less time to really assess the world around us. I could see us falling into the leadership role in the initial small group of say 5-10 people. The world around us has more immediate threats than figuring out the more long term survival issues / problems. Then once we natually incorporate into a larger surival entity which would be necessary for long term survival we could then shift into a more advisory role where we are able to study the "new" world around us finding interesting solutions to interesting problems.

The thing is I feel our type would thrive much more so in a world where the communities are around 100-200 people. That gives us a good distribution ... only one or two of us around in the big group. We will be lauded for our specialness. LItterally one of a kind. We would be turned to for figuring out the answers to major problems and we would love the situation where we would have this group of people dependant on our genius but also having a leader around to deal with the details. We would secretly know that he's just our puppet anyway...more of an administrative assistant than anything.

I think you have a great point about being a leader taking time away from our observations. So, lets say we take the opportunity to play king maker. Put a person in charge thats smart enough to know what he or she doesnt know, and very "tom brokaw" lol

 

[Da Blob]

Well, admittedly a cohesive team/tribe would stand a much better chance of survival than individuals in an End-of-Civilization scenario. In which case, based upon prior discussions of INTPian archetypes, I would suggest that our 'natural' role would be to serve as 'Shaman", rather than "Leader" or other team role...