Would it be easier?

[Agent Intellect]

a lot of it is probably my own pessimistic, misanthropic views, but often times i feel like the shortcomings of my personality outweigh the advantages, at least in the society that i live in. don't get me wrong, i love being the INTP type, i have a great (some would say arrogant) respect for my mind and i like nothing more then deep, conceptual thoughts, ideas, discussions, debates etc.

my question is, though, does anyone think it would be easier, as far as humans being social creatures and having expectations from others, to be something besides INTP? i think that most other people would prefer that i was more extraverted, more in tune to my feelings, and a lot more decisive, and i often think that i would probably have an easier time being a human if i was maybe more ENFJish.

i have a tendency to alienate people with my love of debate. i debate people for the soul purpose of debating, often debating on the side of something i don't even agree with, and will always be very direct. even some rather thick skinned people can be put off by this, taking what i say personally and thinking that i'm being condescending (as i often ask questions to make them have to think about and explain what it is they actually think, which often times makes them feel stupid and then they get defensive).

what i'm saying is, it'd be easier if i could be more in touch with my (ugh) feelings so that i'm not so alienating to people. does anyone else ever think that they'd be better off having a different personality?

 

[Jules]

I was trying to write something far more interesting, but I got lost in thoughts and ended up with this: Ignorance is bliss.
Don't know if it answers the question, though.

<edit>
It's the thc, I think...:P
</edit>

 

[NoID10ts]

I've resigned myself to the idea that I reside in an extroverts world. I often do think it would be easier to be another type but I don't know if easier translates into better.

The problem for me is that I am full of big ideas but no real outlet for them. I just don't seem to have the determination to see them through. I lose interest to quickly and spend alot of my time feeling hollow and frustrated. I don't have much to show for it all. I think the INTP's strengths and thought processes have alot to offer the world (just look at Einstein) but we have to find out how to productively channel it. That is the big answer I am looking for at the moment.

Sometimes I imagine myself as the genie in Aladdin:

PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWERS!.............Itty-bitty living space!

 

[Agent Intellect]

i often wonder abou why i am the way i am, and not just personality type stuff. for instance, i curse quite casually (sometimes more then casually, depending who i'm talking to and how drunk i am) while other people don't see the need to or even look down on it. pretty much all my favorite movies are dark and violent, whereas my girlfriend feels sick at the slightest hint of blood on screen. and even here, among people that are supposedly the same personality type, a lot of us disagree with each other (see my awesome painting analogy post for the best analogy you've ever heard). i just think its interesting thinking about what makes myself tick, what makes me, me.

i suppose this wasn't all to pertinent to my own original topic, but i'm always just rambling stream of consciously.

 

[Jesin]

I just about never curse (I'm not really sure why, either). In fact, I have developed a habit of saying "What the flub!?" when surprised.

 

[Agent Intellect]

I just about never curse (I'm not really sure why, either). In fact, I have developed a habit of saying "What the flub!?" when surprised.

i've gotten into the habit of calling people cunts because we started doing that at work one day (after a conversation about how the word "fuck" has lost all meaning and just wasn't offensive anymore, so we chose something a little less common).

 

[Artifice Orisit]

Pretty much all my favorite movies are dark and violent, whereas my girlfriend feels sick at the slightest hint of blood on screen.

Interesting tangent, are INTPs bloodthirsty? We may not be violent and although we make lack emotional empathy we do have a strong sense duty towards basic compassion. If someone I knew hurt themselves I'd be the guy who laughs at them, while I'm helping them.

Anyway back to the topic; being a INTP isn't easy and our disposition to judge ourselves leads the analytical aspect to attack our emotional selves. However just yesterday on the bus I was watching an angst filled, MTV styled teenager scowling out the widow while he bit his black painted nails. So angry, so confused, so desperate to both fit-in and be individual.

If I too listened to society, cared about what is considered cool, fashionable and believed everything I am told, not deciding the truth for myself.
I too would be like that guy; if god exists I thank it/him/her for making me a INTP.

 

[Ermine]

i often wonder abou why i am the way i am, and not just personality type stuff. for instance, i curse quite casually (sometimes more then casually, depending who i'm talking to and how drunk i am) while other people don't see the need to or even look down on it. pretty much all my favorite movies are dark and violent, whereas my girlfriend feels sick at the slightest hint of blood on screen. and even here, among people that are supposedly the same personality type, a lot of us disagree with each other (see my awesome painting analogy post for the best analogy you've ever heard). i just think its interesting thinking about what makes myself tick, what makes me, me.

i suppose this wasn't all to pertinent to my own original topic, but i'm always just rambling stream of consciously.

I identify with that attraction to dark, violent stuff. While I have a peaceful nature, I think I'm drawn to stuff like that for the sake of contrast. Usually, I'm emotionally void, and dark stuff is an easy short cut to having emotional contrast (as opposed to working for joy, love, long term happiness). However, that's all restricted to music, movies, fictional outlets. In reality, blood (in large amounts) and violence make my stomach lurch.

In response to the original post, yes, I do sometimes think that it would be a lot easier to have another personality type. It doesn't help that currently, in my life, I have everything in front of me. If I knew how to get myself out there, I would have everything going for me. It's so tantalizing, so close, yet so distant... Oh what I would give, even for just extraversion.

Don't get me wrong, I relish having my personality, but it just doesn't work too well in the "real world". And like Cognisant said, if I actually cared about fitting in, it would be all to easy to turn into an angsty "emo kid".

Something tells me that most of my life's struggles will be in learning to transcend myself, and make life totally fulfilling, while dealing with the world.

 

[Wisp]

=) I like dark things too... One of my pet peeves is when people mix the meanings of "dark" and "evil". I love a good anti-hero, but I don't like villains that much. I identify with dark because it defines much of my personality. Being ultimately "good", yet being shunned by society, cast aside like rubbish, well anyways.

I'll swear, but I only usually use the "minor" swears, I don't drop F-bombs unless I'm going through one of my holes of depression/inferiority complex. They don't last long, though...

When I get really mad, however, I'll start being inventive with what I call people.

I would never, ever, sacrifice the integrity of my personality just to fit in...

 

[eudemonia]

I think its really difficult being an INTP. In some respects its more difficult being a female INTP and in other respects not. Being a female INTP means you're forever regarded as weird and non-functional. I have never met another female INTP or any other female interested in discussion politics, religion (in an intelligent way), philosophy or any other topics that make you think. Over the years this just ground me down and I became a functional female, mother, worker, friend - always having to rely on my under-developed F. So I ended up gliding through life, often observing my ridiculous behaviour even as I enacted it. It worked for everyone else, but it made me morose (which no-one ever saw). I prefer male company but I think females regard this with much suspicion and quickly rescue their mates from me as soon as they can. On the other hand I have backed off from work a bit over the past few years - and perhaps only a woman can do this as men are usually the main bread winners. Its helped me to regain my energies, decide where I want to operate and work, and reinforced what's important to me. I'm now about to start work in a university and I hope I'll get more intellectual challenge there. If an INTP can find their 'community of practice' as it's called, they can be at peace with themselve, even happy - but its difficult.

 

[Ermine]

Agreed. Life would be a lot easier if I could find female friends interested in discussing things, thinking, etc. All too many take my discussions for arguments without listening to me. Even if they don't get offended by being forced to reevaluate their thinking, discussion is simply too obscure for them. It's not fun being taken for a belligerent nerd.

Also like I've pointed out in other posts, INTP males have stereotypes to slip into and go unnoticed. It's OK for guys to be nerds, and there's always the "strong and silent" archetype, as well as the "lazy genius". INTP females on the other hand, have no such sanctuary. They are only themselves.

 

[Agent Intellect]

what annoys me more then anything about women is the stereotypical females (mostly thinking about the girls at my job). the fact that they can have an actual conversation about where they buy their underwear and lotion (this is a real example of something they talked about, too) or what so-and-so did at the party last night. listening to them i sometimes think that i'm going to go mad. i'd like nothing better then to have a girlfriend that will sit around playing chess with me and talking about something interesting until we retire to our own rooms and our internets.

 

[Dissident]

INTPs unite!

We are the answer to each others problem!!

 

[Varg]

pretty much all my favorite movies are dark and violent, whereas my girlfriend feels sick at the slightest hint of blood on screen. and even here, among people that are supposedly the same personality type, a lot of us disagree with each other .

Agreed, My favorite things are relating to the macabre. I find it interesting too, I write and my characters are mostly based on our personality type and the isolation it can create. I had a writing teacher tell me. "You can't write a character like this! No one can relate to them!" I was shocked because of course if I found characters in this style I would absolutely relate.

I plan on continuing to write like that instead of bend to the norm I may lose the majority of the possible reader base but I'm not trying to connect with them any how.

 

[eudemonia]

INTPs unite!

We are the answer to each others problem!!

Now there's an idea for the entrepreneurs among us (if ENTPs can do it, so can we - though a bit of J would help) - a dating website just for INTP's or people looking for INTP's. It can all be done from home, only having to communicate with people via the internet. You can make money from it. The organiser can have the pick of the crop and you can draw upon the group wisdom re how to seduce an INTP in three days. I think I've found a fun job for IfloatTHRUlife

 

[Agent Intellect]

Agreed, My favorite things are relating to the macabre. I find it interesting too, I write and my characters are mostly based on our personality type and the isolation it can create. I had a writing teacher tell me. "You can't write a character like this! No one can relate to them!" I was shocked because of course if I found characters in this style I would absolutely relate.

I plan on continuing to write like that instead of bend to the norm I may lose the majority of the possible reader base but I'm not trying to connect with them any how.

you write too? care to share anything you've done?

 

[zxc]

I think it would be easier to be non-INTP, but certainly not better, from my perspective.

edit:

Also like I've pointed out in other posts, INTP males have stereotypes to slip into and go unnoticed. It's OK for guys to be nerds, and there's always the "strong and silent" archetype, as well as the "lazy genius". INTP females on the other hand, have no such sanctuary. They are only themselves.

Might have something to do with the fact that INTP males are at least twice as common as INTP females.

 

[Aphasia]

Really?

@nia: Will there be enough people interested to make it worth the time? A site like that will be nice (in my case, it will be nice eventually, when I feel like being committed to someone ), but I wonder.

 

[eudemonia]

I know too many people - from 20 - 50 who are thoroughly disillusioned with meeting people from ordinary dating sites like match.com. I'm not sure that an INTP dating site would be any better but it would be worth a try and I bet you'd end up meeting more interesting people than through other means. Plus, what's there to lose? Why not start a thread here on this site?

 

[Agent Intellect]

I know too many people - from 20 - 50 who are thoroughly disillusioned with meeting people from ordinary dating sites like match.com. I'm not sure that an INTP dating site would be any better but it would be worth a try and I bet you'd end up meeting more interesting people than through other means. Plus, what's there to lose? Why not start a thread here on this site?

wouldn't even have to be strictly a dating site, just a "meet interesting friends" site (and maybe something more could evolve out of that or not)

 

[Dissident]

Yeah, to relieve the preassure, everyone would be looking for a date, but noone would actually say so

Chances of finding someone close to where you live are slim tho, unless the site was uber popular.

There are many geek dating sites out there, I guess you could find some INTPs there.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Life as an INTP is much easier when one's closest friends, allies, spouses, family members or whomever are tolerant of, accepting of, or at least understanding of INTPs.

I have a pretty good mix of the traits of many of the other types, and I find that it helps in some situations. Ultimately, though, I'm most at home in my own narrow INTP space.

Dave

 

[Friar Pug Rush]

Agent, you posted somewhere that you agree with most of the things I've posted.
I think quite similarly, and this thread has thoroughly creeped me out.
I want my soul back. Now. ::Grinn::
I've asked the same question before. What you have to ask yourself is, if you *could* change yourself, and be another personality type, what would you do when your thoughts glance across something you came across as an INTP that made you unhappy? Would changing your typing change who you are, or who you act like?
Wouldn't it just seem like a lie to be anything else?

 

[Artifice Orisit]

The personality types are not static by any means, I personally switch to being an INTJ in emergencies or when work needs to be done. Just because my natural state is INTP doesn’t mean that I will still be exactly that five years from now.

Anyway our likes and dislikes are integral parts of our personality; I know that I'm an INTP not just because I fit the description but also because I value the strengths of the INTP type. If I didn't value these strengths and disvalued the INTP type weaknesses then my strengths and weaknesses wouldn't correlate with the INTP type, thus I'd be something else.

 

[Agent Intellect]

i don't think i would actually change my personality, given the chance. i recognize that my life would probably be easier in a lot of situations if it was different, but like cognisant said, i value the strengths of being INTP. its probably because i'm INTP that i like the fact that INTP's are very different from other people, they aren't shallow dull like i find so many other people to be, and i certainly love that people (the ones that know me, anyway) value my mind more then anything else about it.

 

[grettiron]

i've gotten into the habit of calling people cunts because we started doing that at work one day (after a conversation about how the word "fuck" has lost all meaning and just wasn't offensive anymore, so we chose something a little less common).

hah i love that word. i think i drop it in public too much though. i like getting creative and offensive with my cursing.

i also love violent entertainment. the more blood, the better! my mind wallows in dark, morbid, violent places. daydreams and fantasies usually involve death, murder and torture. crushing, knashing, stabbing rage is a common feeling.

but i am polite and compassionate. i'm eager to help, respectful and upstanding. my friends sometimes say "he's never said a bad word about anyone in his life".

what a combination.

 

[severus]

sweeney todd: gore and alan rickman singing, what more could an INTP want?

i don't think i would actually change my personality, given the chance. i recognize that my life would probably be easier in a lot of situations if it was different, but like cognisant said, i value the strengths of being INTP. its probably because i'm INTP that i like the fact that INTP's are very different from other people, they aren't shallow dull like i find so many other people to be, and i certainly love that people (the ones that know me, anyway) value my mind more then anything else about it.

Same. Exactly the same.

 

[Wisp]

YES YES YES.

.... And Johnny Depp...

 

[Artifice Orisit]

Ahh Johnny Deppy, years from now we'll be old farts complaining about the lack of "classical" actors like him. Damn deppy's a great word, deppy, deppy, deppy, right I'm over it.

Quick question for my fellow post people on the subject of horror, do you relate to the alien or predator better. I've been wondering if the fan-base split between the two monsters isn't based upon extroversion/introversion. I like the alien best, but only in CGI, people floundering around in rubber suits just don't have the right affect. Sorry for being of topic.

 

[severus]

Predator. dundundun.
Like Mr. Brooks. That would be me.

 

[Aphasia]

I can't choose. Acid blood and a cute appearance? Or cloaking and a really fun helmet? I wanna have both.

Back on topic: It would be easy because then I won't have to think so much about not being in sync with everyone else. Also, I won't need to care about not being able to communicate my (well thought out) ideas because I won't have any. Serious.

 

[severus]

Back on topic: It would be easy because then I won't have to think so much about not being in sync with everyone else. Also, I won't need to care about not being able to communicate my (well thought out) ideas because I won't have any. Serious.

lol/ Easier then, but not better.

 

[myexplodingcat]

No. Not easier. Not better. Not me. Yuck. I can't possibly think of anything else that would be more useful than INTP.

If the "disadvantage" is supposed to be the in-own-world-ness, think about how many arguments you haven't gotten into because you were thinking about the argument you'd have instead of starting/instigating it.

Even if it comes from one, and for what it's worth, INTPs are brilliant.

 

[Fukyo]

No. Not easier. Not better. Not me. Yuck. I can't possibly think of anything else that would be more useful than INTP.

ESTJ, ENTJ, INTJ, ISTJ, INFJ, ENFJ...the list goes on.

Your have a very narrow perspective on types. Sorry to break it to you, but INTPs aren't exactly the top of the food chain, and they aren't all geniuses waiting to happen. Sometimes they can even be plain dumb, and sometimes they are just whiny, confused teenagers.

INTPs are brilliant.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

ESTJ, ENTJ, INTJ, ISTJ, INFJ, ENFJ...the list goes on.

I think we can knock off a few of those on the list, amirite?

 

[Da Blob]

I wonder if INTPians would still be INTPian, if they lived easy lives, had no challenges, nothing to provoke thought, nothing to cause a need for introspection? Other types seemingly can live primitive lives, Responding habitually, to the Stimuli of 'Feeling', Sensation or Social interaction. Whereas We Respond to Stimuli, in a non-habitual manner and those stimuli are not mere sensation, emotions or the opportunity to extravert. I believe we (unconsciously, at least) envy those who are able to meet their needs, just thoughtlessly responding to their environments. Being an INTPian means, I suppose, living a "frustrated" life - not an easy life... I think that the tastes in music, movies etc. and choice of words (cursing or civility) reflects that frustration... (?)

I mean Prey live a comparatively easy life compared to Predators and the analogy of the Predator/Prey relationship can be seen as a valid one for the ever present Oppressed/Oppressor that dominates social relationships amongst humans.

So are We, as a type, Predators or Prey - Oppressed or Oppressors?

(Both?, Neither?)

 

[Abraxas]

ESTJ, ENTJ, INTJ, ISTJ, INFJ, ENFJ...the list goes on.

Your have a very narrow perspective on types. Sorry to break it to you, but INTPs aren't exactly the top of the food chain, and they aren't all geniuses waiting to happen. Sometimes they can even be plain dumb, and sometimes they are just whiny, confused teenagers.

After a very profound introspection and close examination of the people around me, I came to a conclusion that I'm just a very confused young adult with more or less autistic features(without the 'special abilities'). So, yes life would most likely be a lot easier with a whole different personality... But I really don't care, 'cause it's just life, experience or existence and in the end it doesn't really matter to me what goes on in the world. If I wan't to do something, I do it, but most of the time I just don't feel like doing it.

...
I mean Prey live a comparatively easy life compared to Predators and the analogy of the Predator/Prey relationship can be seen as a valid one for the ever present Oppressed/Oppressor that dominates social relationships amongst humans.

So are We, as a type, Predators or Prey - Oppressed or Oppressors?

(Both?, Neither?)

I think we're carnivorous plants and the rest are herbivores.

 

[myexplodingcat]

I have never met another female INTP or any other female interested in discussion politics, religion (in an intelligent way), philosophy or any other topics that make you think.

I'm female. I find politics amusing sometimes--10,000 laws vs. 10 Commandments, and they enforce the same thing--I have intricate views of religion, and I like topics that make people think.

The trick is finding a place where people will ignore you well enough. If you're a student, then that's the crowd of weird people in the lunchroom, who just think you're listening (sometimes because you are). If you work, seek out independent work if you can, or make your ideas known and let them be discussed, like you do on INTP Forum.

In response to this...

ESTJ, ENTJ, INTJ, ISTJ, INFJ, ENFJ...the list goes on.

Your have a very narrow perspective on types. Sorry to break it to you, but INTPs aren't exactly the top of the food chain, and they aren't all geniuses waiting to happen. Sometimes they can even be plain dumb, and sometimes they are just whiny, confused teenagers.

I'm not talking about INTPs in general. I'm talking about my experiences, as you are talking about yours. And in my experience, I like INTP.

Would you still have the talents that you do now if you weren't INTP? How often has your train of thought led you to try something new? For me, I work. You will have a different view, and more power to that. You have a right to disagree, but you don't have a right to tell me that I can't disagree, or that I can't disagree with your disagreement. This is the place where rebuttal time is infinite.

Yes, I have been made fun of for not knowing the music of the most popular musicians, but I don't give a rip about that. No, people don't understand me, but that's not such a big deal either, because I'm introverted and I understand myself quite well. Though it does mean that I take long showers because I'm thinking about something other than getting clean. I have horrible times at school and a stressful life, but everyone does, and my advantage is that I can retreat into myself, and even if that means I don't finish my homework as fast as I'd like to, I stay sane.

This is interesting to discuss, but it shouldn't become a long train of gripe stories and I-wish-I-was, because you can't change that. The grass is always greener on the other side; how do you know what ENTJ, ISTJ, whatever, has a better life? You can't, because you've never lived it.

"If the INTP is not able to find a place for themself which supports the use of their strongest abilities, they may become generally negative and cynical." --http://www.personalitypage.com/INTP.html

I happen to have found that place. I wish that all INTPs could do so easily, but we all know that this won't happen. *sigh*

The other type that I might be able to fit as would probably be ENTP, but I have worked hard to develop my skills as a better speaker and am now better with humor and snap sarcasm in conversations, as well as reading people's feelings (not that I understand why they get so emotional over the weirdest stuff), and that's good for me. I can talk--I just really, really prefer not to, and like my own company.

I'm just saying that even if there are people who are a heck of a lot happier than me, I see four times as many people who are a heck of a lot unhappier than me, and I'm glad that my personality fits my brain. Anything wrong with that?