Hoi

[Mir]

Hey all,

Obviously I'm a new member and here's my hello to you all. I have been quite obsessed with the whole cognitive functions idea for a while now and it also took me quite some time to realize I'm an INTP. I always tested as an INFP in tests and then for a long time I thought I was an INFJ. The only fuctions I was absolutely sure about were Ti and Fe.

However, after finishing a tumultuous undergraduate university experience (what probably led to the illusion of being a feeling oriented person) and moving away from the 'campus life' ánd after some heavy reflecting it suddenly became clear to me that my Fe is very very inferior. My mother also thought the INTP children's profile sounded more like me than the INFJ profile. [Note: these were not the only observations that made me aware of my INTP'ness]

So yea.. here I am. I like this INTP forum more than the one on PersonalityCafe and that's why I joined. Also, I don't think I will post much, but I do enjoy reading.

 

[Absurdity]

Hello and welcome.

What was it about your undergraduate experience that led to the illusion of being feeling-oriented?

 

[Mir]

Heh mostly my short encounter with the pill. Never again.

and perhaps because it was the first time in my life that I had something close to a social life. So that also made me experience a lot of disappointment/frustration/misunderstanding/feelings of loneliness. In the village where I grew up I didn't have to think so much about friends etc.

I wasn't unhappy at all though I really like university and I can't wait to start again with my postgraduate next year.

 

[Absurdity]

Heh mostly my short encounter with the pill. Never again.

and perhaps because it was the first time in my life that I had something close to a social life. So that also made me experience a lot of disappointment/frustration/misunderstanding/feelings of loneliness. In the village where I grew up I didn't have to think so much about friends etc.

I wasn't unhappy at all though I really like university and I can't wait to start again with my postgraduate next year.

That's interesting. I've actually become more detached and asocial since I started university. However I think this can be attributed to losing interest in getting drunk all the time to switch into ESTP mode and gain social acceptance.

Did you manage to meet other people like yourself at your university? And what are you studying?

 

[Mir]

Mm I think that's because I was quite young (17) and impressionable when I started university. In high school I always feared being perceived as boring and uninteresting, so when in uni people actually showed any interest I was quite eager to answer that.

However, in these three years I only made 1 good friend (an INTJ) and most of the others were more interested in the fact that I was a girl who likes to play videogames. I guess I was quite naive in considering them to be real friends. So yea, in the third year when that realization hit in combination with an unlucky first "love" experience with an ENFP I also crawled back in my hole to be my detached and asocial self. It was useful in that I now don't crave social acceptance that much anymore.

And to answer your question; the INTJ is a lot like myself, so yes. And there were more people with a big like for theories and not so much the parties, but due to my damned social skills I never really befriended them. I did a liberal arts & sciences undergraduate programme with a major in the Humanities. Next year I am going to study critical theory and cultural studies.

From the Zizek photo in your profile I gather you're interested in critical theory (or philosophy) as well? What do you study?

 

[Absurdity]

Mm I think that's because I was quite young (17) and impressionable when I started university. In high school I always feared being perceived as boring and uninteresting, so when in uni people actually showed any interest I was quite eager to answer that.

However, in these three years I only made 1 good friend (an INTJ) and most of the others were more interested in the fact that I was a girl who likes to play videogames. I guess I was quite naive in considering them to be real friends. So yea, in the third year when that realization hit in combination with an unlucky first "love" experience with an ENFP I also crawled back in my hole to be my detached and asocial self. It was useful in that I now don't crave social acceptance that much anymore.

Who doesn't like a girl who plays video games?

My story is a little different in that I actually made some good friends in high school that I stay in touch with very frequently. However, like you, I have only really made one good friend here (an ENFP) and we are drifting apart. It won't be long until I graduate though, so I don't really care (cold as that sounds).

And to answer your question; the INTJ is a lot like myself, so yes. And there were more people with a big like for theories and not so much the parties, but due to my damned social skills I never really befriended them.

Yes. I always wonder to myself how I would go about befriending people like myself when I never approach anyone and spend most of my time in my room reading or exploring the library. When I do meet them we are usually too awkward to stay in touch after the initial contact haha.

I did a liberal arts & sciences undergraduate programme with a major in the Humanities. Next year I am going to study critical theory and cultural studies.

From the Zizek photo in your profile I gather you're interested in critical theory (or philosophy) as well? What do you study?

Ah, I am jealous. I'm in a bland pre-law program despite having realized that I do not want to go to law school. I do have an immense love for crit theory and philosophy more generally but it is only something I am able to pursue in my free time, so I am very unevenly read. I wish I could study it at the graduate level like you are but I'd have to work to earn some money first, and even after I was finished the job market for humanities degrees is so terrible in the States that I'd probably end up working as a barista.

 

[Mir]

Ah, I am jealous. I'm in a bland pre-law program despite having realized that I do not want to go to law school. I do have an immense love for crit theory and philosophy more generally but it is only something I am able to pursue in my free time, so I am very unevenly read. I wish I could study it at the graduate level like you are but I'd have to work to earn some money first, and even after I was finished the job market for humanities degrees is so terrible in the States that I'd probably end up working as a barista.

Yea I am starting to realize more and more how lucky I am in that sense. Even though the job prospects for humanities degrees in Europe are more or less similar

I'm just going to do my best to get a good PhD somewhere and then spread amazing ideas? I'm also learning to program a bit so I will be more 'worthwhile' for future employers and have more opportunities. On the other hand - as I guess one would expect of an INTP - I dread the prospect of having to work in a business like setting (unless it's my own) and I will try hard to avoid that. I am now working in such a setting (albeit a quite informal one luckily) and I must say I am now highly motivated to do well next year.

Do you already know what you want to/can do after that pre-law program?

 

[The Introvert]

Welcome, welcome!

Although you claim you will mostly lurk, perhaps we can persuade you to talk a bit?

Always nice to add more people into discussions.

 

[Absurdity]

Yea I am starting to realize more and more how lucky I am in that sense. Even though the job prospects for humanities degrees in Europe are more or less similar

I'm just going to do my best to get a good PhD somewhere and then spread amazing ideas? I'm also learning to program a bit so I will be more 'worthwhile' for future employers and have more opportunities. On the other hand - as I guess one would expect of an INTP - I dread the prospect of having to work in a business like setting (unless it's my own) and I will try hard to avoid that. I am now working in such a setting (albeit a quite informal one luckily) and I must say I am now highly motivated to do well next year.

Do you already know what you want to/can do after that pre-law program?

I've always wanted a PhD myself, if for no other reason than being able to introduce myself as Dr. Absurdity (with a twirl of the epic handlebar mustache I would inevitably grow during grad school). If you're gravitating toward something you love, I'd say it's the right path.

Business environments generally are not all that appealing to me either. The more relaxed and less hierarchical the better, but not by much. I've worked in some that I have enjoyed but I suspect it was primarily because they were temporary internship positions with an expiration date. Can't imagine myself spending years in a cubicle, or even an office of my own.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do after I graduate, or for that matter what I am even going to do this coming summer. While the degree I am earning doesn't explicitly set me up for any career fields I am particularly interested in, the school I go to is considered "elite" and opens doors that way. I'd like to work in film and television, and I have some experience in the field and really enjoyed it. The idea of settling down anywhere is repulsive as well; i want to do some exploring.

So I guess, in summary, I'll probably pursue some sort of unconventional artsy career with no set path, in accordance with the desires of my INTP-ness haha

 

[loveofreason]

Hi Mir. Welcome. Excellent user name.

 

[Mir]

Welcome, welcome!

Although you claim you will mostly lurk, perhaps we can persuade you to talk a bit?

Always nice to add more people into discussions.

Thanks, and yep of course. I guess I'm just not used to being active in forums, but I already saw some nice discussions going on

So I guess, in summary, I'll probably pursue some sort of unconventional artsy career with no set path, in accordance with the desires of my INTP-ness haha

Hehe that sounds a lot like me (except the twirling of the mustache, unfortunately). I do believe things will always work out one way or the other.

Hi Mir. Welcome. Excellent user name.

Thanks Is it excellent because of this reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mir ? I have to admit that I chose it rather randomly and wasn't aware of the space station's existence ;p

 

[loveofreason]

Yes, I thought of the space station, but firstly the word 'mir' means 'peace' to me, and I like that: the connotations of a peaceful homeland in space.