Sensors vs. Intuitives

I think I figured out a way to describe the difference between S and N personalities. S people, regardless of T/F distinctions, are more focused on lifestyle, meaning the J or P. So SP people are more about broadening their experiences in life as much as possible, and SJ people more about fulfilling the categories of experiences they set for themselves. The F and T dimensions of their personalities are less important than the J or P dimensions. But for N people, the T or F dimensions are more important in defining them than the P or J. Meaning lifestyle is less important to who they are than the search for depth of either emotions (F) or knowledge (T). The focus in life for the NT is understanding the world, and the lifestyle in which they do this is secondary to this ultimate search for truth and understanding. The focus in life of the NF is deep emotional bonds with others, and they are defined by the people they love more than the lifestyle they choose.

Of course I could be too simple about these divisions. People are more complicated obviously but this seems to make sense...

Directive vs. Informative

According to a Wikipedia search on Kiersey Temperament Sorter:

For people of the SP and SJ types, the T is what makes them more directive and the F is what makes them more informative in nature. But for the NF and NT types, the J is what makes them more  directive and the P is what makes them more informative. Meaning the T/J serve the same objective function, and the F/P serve the same subjective function. I guess that's why the ESTP can seem so much a J even with their P because the T in the SP temperament makes them more directive, plus the E which makes them expressive rather than attentive.

"HAROLD AND MAUDE" (1971)

Harold: INFJ
Maude: ENTP
Harold's mom: ESTJ
Harold's uncle: ESTJ

"ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND" (2004)

Joel Barish: INFJ
Clementine Kruczynski: ENFP
Mary: ExFx
Patrick: IxFJ
Stan: ISTx
Dr. Mierzwiak: xNTx

"30 ROCK"

Liz Lemon: INTP
Jack Donaghy: ENTJ
Tracy Jordan: ENFP
Jenna Maroney: ESFP
Kenneth Parcell: ExFx

There's more characters but I'm lazy.

"BU BU JING XIN"

Chinese TV Series 步步驚心 (BU BU JING XIN, STARTLING WITH EACH STEP):

Ma-er-tai Ruo-xi: ENTP
4th Prince: INTJ
13th Prince: ENTP
8th Prince: INFJ
14th Prince: ESFJ
Emperor Kang-xi: ENFJ 
Ma-er-tai Ruo-lan: INFJ
Princess Min-min: ESFP
Lv-wu: INFP
8th Fu-jin: ESFJ
10th Prince: xSxP
10th Fu-jin: ESFx
4th Fu-jin: INFP

Wow a lot more F's in this than I realized.

"ALIAS" (seasons 1-2)

Just for kicks, I'm going to start MBTI-ing the cast of TV series I've watched over the years. First up, ALIAS:

Sydney Bristow: ENFJ
Jack Bristow: INTJ
Irina Derevko: xNTJ
Arvin Sloane: INFJ
Emily Sloane: xNFx
Michael Vaughn: IxTx
Will Tippin: xSFP
Francie Calfo: ESFx
Marcus Dixon: ISTJ
Marshall Flinkman: INTP
Julian Sark: xxTP

May not be all of them but these are the ones I remember. Character analysis to come...

incapable of hate

I would like to use the same argument I used for the incapable of love post to assert why ENTPs are incapable of hate... just wanted to throw that out there for now...

>>to be continued on a later date<<

"The Right Guy" musings...

What would 'the right guy' do/say?:

• Instead of asking something like 'how was your day', he would ask something like 'did anything interesting happen today'
• On a random day would buy me oreo cookies, and on a 'special day' would do the same but wrap them on gift wrapping paper
• If I had a blog, would go through the entries when he feels like it and comment on things he feels like commenting on, giving his opinion thinking that I would want to know his honest thoughts, and not what he thinks I wanna hear
• Would be able to say 'That's very you'
• To be continued, as more awareness occurs...

 Note to self: Do the above as well, cuz, the right guy would want the same treatment :)

Cooking Expedition

Interactions among a group of Ns are pretty amusing. The endless non-sequiturs alone. Here's footage of a food-related gathering with the ENTP, the INTP, an INFP, and an ENTJ in dialogue form:

the ENTP: [holding giant knife and bar of cheddar, waving knife around casually to gesticulate speech]
the INTP: [recording, mimics "Psycho" music]
the ENTP: [oblivious to this, posing for picture] Oh, you're recording? I was holding for a photo.
INFP: Where did those Premium crackers go?
the INTP: [looking at cutlets of meat] That doesn't look like Premium crackers.
INFP: No, this. [grabs box of crackers]
ENTJ: I'm on number two [about beer].
the ENTP: Can that be sent to me via email? [about recording]
INFP: Tastes like shit! [about beer]
the ENTP: What kind of file is it? [about recording]
INFP: [noticing the ENTP waving knife around in his direction] Whoa this!
the INTP: Yeah, I know. I gotta stay away from you [about the ENTP's disregard for knife safety]
ENTJ: OHH! The server's down! [about computer game] Oh, no it's not.
the INTP: Well, I use VLC [about recording].
the ENTP: What's that?
the INTP: [wondering curiously] Uh, what does it stand for? ENTJ, what does that stand for?! VLC.
ENTJ: [dismissively] Nerd shit.
the INTP: [excitedly] INFP! What does it stand for?! VLC!
INFP: Hmm, VLC. I forget, sorry.
the INTP: Eh, it's just VLC then. [seeing the ENTP walking pass] AHH!! You have a big knife in your hand!
the ENTP: You already knew this.
the INTP: Yes, but it came closer to me.
the ENTP: [blithely] Just slicing some cheese.
INFP: [somewhat loudly] If you can, cut them a little thinner.
the ENTP: Oh, okay.
INFP: [softly] Thanks.
ENTJ: Yo, don't yell at her.
the ENTP: I didn't see that as yelling.
INFP: Take a break for awhile. Try this. [hands out cracker creations]
the ENTP: Oh, onions. There's no meat involved?
INFP: No, try it.
the INTP: Mmm, this is good.
the ENTP: Oh, I like it, and I usually don't like onions.
the INTP: Me, too. I was skeptical about this, but I was gonna eat it anyway.
ENTJ: [from other room] I need some assistance over here!
the ENTP: What is he doing?
the INTP: Who? ENTJ?
the ENTP: Yeah.
the INTP: What does he ever do?
INFP: Here, try this. [hands cracker creation to ENTJ]
ENTJ: [swallows in one bite]
the INTP: You didn't even taste it. You just like ate the whole thing. [offended for cracker creation's sake, not INFP who made it]
ENTJ: Good shit, right?
INFP: [long elaboration on his cooking process]
the ENTP: [walks over to see what ENTJ is doing, sees same computer game as earlier] Oh, this lame ass thing again.
INFP: It's fun...for those with an imagination [wistfully about computer game].

[End footage]

Dialoguing Clumsiness

One common grounding point the INTP and I share in our personalities is our mutual physical clumsiness. We know this well about each other and expect nothing less.

the ENTP: Woke up this morning, thought I had appendicitis. Turns out the pain in my side is just 'cause I ran into a doorknob yesterday.
the INTP: Of course.
the ENTP: Need to use automatic doors more when available.
the INTP: That would be efficient.

the INTP: I almost knocked down a newborn just now.
the ENTP: That sounds about right.

the ENTP: Last time I tried to unplug my laptop, I almost ripped this lamp straight off the wall without even noticing.
the INTP: Naturally. No effort needed.

an INFP: (comes to me frantically, expressing concern over the INTP's state) She just slammed the door on her head.
the ENTP: (expressionless) Oh, I'm used to this.

Romantic times with an ENTJ

ENTJs and INTPs are supposedly an ideal match. Let's explore how that may be the case...

HIM: (asks some computer questions)
ME: (avidly answers, expounding on them to the extent of an extrovert)... ask me more computer questions, it makes me feel sexxeee
HIM: (laughs) NERD

--

ME: (while playing footsies) it's getting hot... o0o0o time for the socks to come off... (takes off socks, smells them) ooohh yeaahh they smell cleeeaan... I bet that's sexy huh (throws socks at guy's face)
HIM: (laughs) ew, asshole

--

ME: (lying on a couch on a random building, sleeping)
HIM: (punches me really hard on the ass)
ME: AGGHHHH AAAAHHH OOOOUCH WTF THAT HURT A LOT ASSHOLE
HIM: (laughing uncontrollably)
ME: (getting up as soon as the pain allows it, chasing ENTJ until I grab a hold of him and bite him as hard as I can on the arm)
HIM: AAAGHHH YOU BIT ME WTF
ME: (laughs)

--

ME: (excitedly running to meet ENTJ guy) ...so guess what? my perfect match is an ENTJ
HIM: ...
ME: that's you dumbass
HIM: ... man that's horrible
ME: whaaat?? whyy??
HIM: I feel bad for anybody who has someone like me as their perfect type


Analysis (no conclusion here): The ENTJ appears to be cool and detached, yet entertaining and interested in the uniqueness of people. The INTP loooves being seen as a unique individual. Thus, the ENTJ makes it very comfortable for the INTP to come out to the world and play. Instead of the reactions the INTP expects from people, which are to simply dismiss the INTPs quirks, the ENTJ seems delighted in them, and they carry on this attitude with all people, so the INTP doesn't feel that it is attention given for the sake of attachment but rather out of a genuine interest in what the world has to offer. This is very attractive. And very few compliments have the effect of being called an 'asshole' in this manner. This is almost a match made in heaven except for the likelihood for the INTP to get really really hurt as the ENTJ has been likened to the personality of the devil. No matter what, the ENTJ will never get attached. The INTP both likes and dislikes this. Well, for a type who favors uncertainty so much, maybe it is after all a match made in heaven.

INFJ + INTP

The conclusion I always reach is that we're stuck in fantasy loops. And this is what's been happening so far:

INFJ guy seeks out INTP girl. Constantly.
(from here on I will just say 'Guy' and 'Girl')
Girl likes the attention. A lot.
Guy and girl have many obscure tastes in common.
Girl makes guy laugh often.
Guy makes girl laugh at times.
Girl likes a lot of physical contact with guy.
Guy is always traveling.
Girl likes that. It makes things more interesting.
Guy is very expressive of his feelings. He says things like 'i miss you' a lot. Or, 'come over.' Girl likes this.
Girl reciprocates.
Girl never knows how to start anything. When she does, she pretty much copies the patterns of Guy, and feels somewhat uneasy/fake about it, but doesn't know of any better choices. Girl likes guy and would like for this to continue for as long as it can. Girl thinks it is surprising it's still going on.
Girl finds guy to be very sensitive. She makes every effort to not offend him or make him feel unwanted.
Girl finds this somewhat tiring. She wishes sometimes she could just be blunt. She sometimes doesn't want to reciprocate the expressions of care because she's not feeling it at that moment, though she appreciates these expressions. However, if she doesn't reciprocate she wonders if that will mean to Guy that she's not interested. She wonders if this should go on when it takes so much effort.
Moreover, Girl doesn't find that she is seen very often. Only when she is blatantly obvious about who she is. She starts to crave understanding. She finds she can only give this to herself. Guy doesn't seem to get it. Moreover, Guy seems to like Girl a lot because of what Girl means to him. This meaning is something that Girl suspects to not really be like her. Girl suspects that Guy wants to validate his own existence through his interactions with Girl. This would be fine, but, Girl would also like her existence validated. The expressions of care seem to be devoid of something. And Girl wonders if there is a time when content fills the void. Or if by prolonging the situation, we are simply deepening the void. Girl suspects that content was supposed to be there to begin with. Girl gets angry at not knowing what she has done, what she is doing, or what she will do.
Girl wonders if it really matters anyway. Guy is probably not thinking about it.
It's just, I guess, Girl wants to make sense of things. And these things never seem to make sense.

"What would each temperament say to..."

While googling for some info about temperament interactions (still not getting what I was searching for, Google), I came across this INTJ forum that poses the question above. I thought this was funny 'cause it's true:

To the statement "I love you"

NT: I don't understand this "love"
NF: I love you, too
SJ: Prove it to me by being reliable and thoughtful
SP: How do you define love?

incapable of love?

Sometimes I think NT people are incapable of love beyond theoretical abstraction or fleeting moments of intensity (or maybe it's just ENTPs or maybe just me). First, as rationals (NT) temperament-wise, we want things to be rational and efficient, and love is, by all popular consumer definitions, neither rational nor efficient. Almost by default, this makes love rather repellent to NTs, like we want to eliminate it all together so that we can live in peace and productivity. I get how intoxicating the feeling is and I often get carried away with the whole notion of it myself, but that's all in very abstract, idealistic terms. The experience of this emotion still eludes me. I can honestly say that I've never been in love with anyone (outside of myself anyway) nor can I imagine myself ever being consumed by this emotion over another human being, not even those closest to me. The idea of them maybe or the role they play in my life, but never them themselves. This brings me to my second point, which is that I think love is more a S and F thing. This would include all temperaments (SP, SJ, NF) except NT. Obviously, F people would be into love by the very nature of the F dimension valuing feelings over logic. And love to them would probably be the most powerful feeling, something they value above all else (probably more difficult for men than women due to socialization). NFs are probably more swept away by the profoundness of love and SFs more by the concrete experience of it. S people (even STs) experience love by the nature of the S dimension being more prone to strong sensations easily felt through experience. Love probably develops rather superficially for them at first and deepens with time (or not and divorce happens). People with either the S or F preferences, especially the E versions, are more people-dependent: the F powering the need for emotional connection with others and the S powering the need for social affiliation. The NTs, devoid of either of these forces dominating our personalities, almost have no need for love.

Now onto the ENTP personality: Es are naturally more externally focused and therefore socially-inclined because we like to interact with others for the sake of self-expression. This makes ENTPs more people-dependent (at least superficially), but not for the S or F reasons of social affiliation or emotional connection. We just like interacting is all; it's energizing. The NT pulls us away from true people-dependency because we are perfectly capable of functioning in solitude. We have strong loner tendencies, even if we do choose to be surrounded by people. The P further drives us away from dependency of any kind because we have no sense of permanence or stability outside our own immediate consciousness. This makes human attachments, which love embodies, all the less likely or sustainable. In essence, love for ENTPs is mostly to feed our E needs for expression and interaction. Love is then the permanent audience. It validates our existence, and is powerful almost for this reason alone.

conclusion: The E in me will always want love, the P in me will never be able to hold onto it, and the NT in me will believe I ultimately don't need it. What a sad yet oddly self-consoling combination. I can see this dysfunction on endless loop for years to come. "I want it because I can't have it, not because I need it" or "I want it, lost it, didn't need it anyway"

Prison Rape Humor

Okay, this may not be about dating or misadventures exactly, but it is rather tragicomical (if you have a rather demented sense of humor like myself)...

So the INTP and I were touring some historical prisons (highly recommended, btw) and blithely listening to the stories and facts being dispensed by the audio device given us. This one part talked about love stories blossoming between inmates in male prison cells, followed by the caveat "However, they may at times be one-sided." I damn near fell to the floor laughing because this is the scenario I see in my head:

ENFP prisoner: (flamboyantly) I love you so much!
ISTJ prisoner: (meekly) Please stop raping me...

I mean, how else can you picture this unrequited love story playing out?