Famous INTP

Read what Nancy's INTP readers say about themselves and how they have learned to cope.

10.29.2007 From Natalie (Fem), age 28, email

I identify with the idea that INTPs are essentially easy going and malleable, but can be stubborn when there have been certain breaches.

Also, I can seriously vouch for the fact that everything will seem better once you enter college. High school just isn’t our style; in my case I barely graduated and definitely didn’t enjoy myself. In college I THRIVED. My grades kept me in the top of all classes. Having hence graduated college, I’m back to feeling sort of disillusioned again and ache to get back to college–it’s where I really meld well.

I am a jack of all trades and master of nothing. I read in another essay somewhere else that INTPs are proficient at anything they put their mind to–and that’s me for sure.

I have a myriad of interests from music and art to science and literature. I was never given good mathematics education and am sorely ignorant in the subject, but I think in a different situation I could have been an engineer or something. Instead, I was a history and political science junky and now?

Now I am a really good preschool teacher. The pay is really awful but its positive work where I can use my wide ranging skills all the time. My mind is always active and I’ve always got 1000 things going on to manage.

How to cope:

Just accept yourself for who you are. You’re “weird”; then cool, you’re weird. You’re aloof? So what, you’re aloof. You cannot connect to people emotionally? So be it.

There’s nothing wrong with you are. You are you.

There’s something said in the Talmud I believe, in which someone was asking God about who he is…his essence, etc. The creator’s answer:

I AM WHAT I AM

so let go of any feelings of inadequacy or alienation–you’re a freak or disconnected or whatever–GOOD FOR YOU! Embrace who you are and good will come from it.

I discovered this through dancing my brains out at hippy festivals while on hippy drugs–not everybody needs to go on my path but we all would do well with a little self realization and acceptance however it comes about.

To be an INTP:

is to be interested in everything and nothing simultaneously
is to be good at everything but not great at anything–constantly the person in second place.
is to not want to lead but in the same light, do exactly what you want.
is to feel more intelligent than most people around you (for this reason, associate with smartypants and the world will seem saner)
is to be unable to express simple things like, “what I want is…”;
is to be what I call, “an antisocial socialite.”

I must add, to add to this duality is my zodiac, if one believes in it: Gemini sun, Scorpio moon–

for me, it really is that I do see all sides of everything and therefore cannot decide (and deciding is a stressful thing for me to do)…

it is to like everything and dislike everything at the same time, equally.

7.20.2007 Kim, age 33, email

I identify with all the ones I read.

Please forgive me as my thoughts are somewhat freeform.

After finding out about it, I guess I felt relieved.

And sad.

Relieved I’m not alone, and it’s “normal” (if you consider being merely 1% of the population “normal”).

Sad in that all that I’ve read on the subject confirms my worst fears. I’ll be misunderstood. I’ll be thought of as “arrogant” or a “know it all”. My wife can’t understand how I zone in on things to the point of tuning out the world. And her. And it will lead to needless arguments. She will (incorrectly) think at times, that I don’t love her. Mostly, most recently, noting signs of INTP in my 1 year old daughter, and knowing what she has in store for her. Knowing she might not ever open up to me, even though I profoundly understand.

Well, enough of that.

I’m fortunate too. I work in a business where some of my various skills are highly sought after, as well as highly paid. It allows me to absolutely dote over my kids. So there is a silver lining to being INTP, I guess.

My personal hero is Einstein, even before learning he was an INTP.

For what it’s worth (and before I prattle on and on) my personal motto I got from an Amy Grant lyric.

“I will stand for the truth I’ve seen, so that truth is seen in me.”

And I’ll leave it at that.

Yes, many people above suit myself, but they are older than me. So perhaps, I can find any INTP’s at 15. I am also a teenager and I’ve been seeking for my own identity. I know myself quite well, and I love to think. I mean, what I think is not stupidity. All I think and ruminate is a new life to change!

I realize I’m an INTP as I have done many personality tests and many results highlight that “I am an INTP”. I was not surprised. I have thought bout something like that.

I’m not likely as my friends. They keen to be emotional and flow with cracked problems. I’m not that. All I get is matter-of-fact and, well. I know well what problems must be done and what is a trivial matter.

In class, I love to draw, thinking on new theories, reading motivational books. I love to act like a drama nerd sometimes. I love math and science, and I can do them reasonably.

I am not like other students. They tend to be pretty negative but my brain always says: Be Positive.

I am very fluent in talking. When I give any speeches, I’m just like... Giving new theory to listeners!

I hate emotional people. I’m not sensitive and I keen to forget people’s problem around me. Mostly if it is related to LOVE or PASSION.

Being an INTP, oh God, I just realized it today. I have many parity like a real INTP. I love psychological thriller movie and anime. I give you examples. I’m fond of reading DEATH NOTE. It’s a manga about two geniuses. That is why I’m wanting to be a genius, and find all ways to be it! Whatever people think about me, I know God will help. Men just propose right?

Some people see me as a flamboyant and hatchy girl. Actually it’s not like that. I have high-self esteem, but quite reserved and offhand. That makes some students assume me wrong. I won’t care them, I’m what I am.

I can cope many things. It’s all about my prowess. I’m not so energetic in running.

Many personality tests I made proved that I am not an emotional person.

I have done DEATH NOTE- Personality test. It showed that I am absolutely resemble RAITO YAGAMI. And now, I really act like those geniuses. L and RAITO YAGAMI. Think positive.

www.deathfan.com

~ 15 year old MIR, the Genius email

6.02.2007 Nate, age 24, email, website

I grew up asking lots of questions, and by the time I was 8 most of my questions couldn';t be answered by those around me. People usually are surprised by how much I know, and are sometimes find me intimidating. I tend to be sarcastic, and my youngest brother thinks I would stand a good chance to win the Gold medal if griping became an olympic sport.

I love reading, and thinking, and I love having conversations about ideas. I have been considered weird most of my life, and I now see the word as a compliment. I love music, art, math, philosophy, physics, astronomy, symbology, literature, entymology, foreign languages, and a lot more. My movie and music tastes, however, run on towards the strange. I frequently find myself defending my tastes.

I have never really had a close friend. I also find the emotional demands most girls make in relationships to much, so I have not had to many relationships. Actually, only one has lasted for up to 9 months. My current girlfriend lives over a thousand km away and that is ok by me.

I have been seen as "snobbish" unapproachable, aloof (from a room-mate who was also a "friend"), and unemotional. A friend also once admitted that I was always seemed unruffled, no matter what was happpening.

I was quit engineering because I was doing poorly in Labs, and engineering drawing, but I just got admitted into another university to study Math and Philosophy.

5.20.2007 I find quite a relation with the most of the people above.Yeah, I'm the "alien" type alright!I have this never ending hunger for knowledge,enjoy spending time lone which seems unnatural to my friends and family.Especially I'm credited that arrogance part.I really don't see INTPs as snobs of any kind.Just too lost in our own Universe to notice others.

I think I'm your typical INTP^^.Studying History and Archeology for the past 4 years 'till I was fed up with learning nothing of importance, only enjoying field work wasn't solving the problem.So I put it on hold and I'm going to study Animation in Uk for 2 years.Think it suits me best, maybe I would have done that from the very beginning if there was such a chance in Greece(where I'm from),but unfortunately computer science is not very developed here.So, about me...I think most of the time that the whole universe plays a cruel joke on me.My character is full of contradictions.Too self-centered, yet caring in my own way,extremely social at times,and then suddenly need a lot of time alone.Have a hard time trusting which I had attributed to personal issues, but as I grow up I see it's just the way I am.I feel frustrated at times that the wold seems to hate my type, and my ideas are misregarded, but in general I enjoy life with its ups and downs.To tell you the truth I'm rather pleased being one of the few, you know...and if that's arrogance, then so be it!

~ aridela, age 21, email, website

5.15.2007 I can definitely relate to a lot of the themes coming up on this page. I tested several times as both INFP and INTP, and 4w5 or 5w4 on the enneagram. I am fairly sure I am INTP, though, as analytical thinking comes more naturally to me than feeling. Though even before I knew anything about these tests I envisioned my style as a kind of "thought-feeling," sort of in the way that dreams leave a puzzle behind which can be analyzed as well as felt viscerally. I am very interested in dream theory, Jung, Freud and artists/musicians who deal with surrealistic imagery. I relate to John Lennon in a big way.

Though I like chess, philosophy, science and the mostly analytical pursuits, what really drives me is music, which seems to combine logical-spatial ability with emotional expression.

~JS, age 25

5.12.2007 I can identify with many if not most of the people posting here, in some aspects or another. Living inside my head, the need to be alone, severe problems with time and routine, procrastination, the feeling of being an alien outsider, math/physics always been easy for me (so perfectly logical, no conjecture).. I was surprised to find that the chameleon personality applies to INTP nature, I’ve never read that before, but it applies to me completely. To some people I am the funny guy, to others the serious, to some I’m outgoing, and some extremely introverted. And it’s not like I choose this, my brain unconsciously decides. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one, because I don’t see this type of behaviour in virtually anyone.

To be an INTP is interesting and I wouldn’t give up my inward thinking in exchange for extraverted ‘powers’. But I would really like to be able to have the ‘flow’ other people have in interactions with others... as an INTP I don’t get ‘Hi, how are you? Good, how are you? Good’ where neither side cares but it’s ritual... and small talk etc. I do understand there purpose, but it’s so illogical at the same time. Anyways, to cope, I have tried to learn to participate in these types of things, and other, rapport building exercises. Not just to fit in, but I believe human relationships are important for happiness. But it’s not easy for me, and I struggle at this a great deal.

A number of people have mentioned depression here, and I believe as INTP’s our greatest strength is our mind, but it can also be our greatest weakness if we allow it to dwell on negative thoughts and ideas, allow those to consume us. I always take great care to consciously guide my mind down the right paths of thought, so that although I have experienced mild depression, I know logically it serves no purpose (we are only causing pain by reliving it in our minds), and I try to direct my mind to positive ideas. A subject many INTP’s might find interesting on the mind, and that I use to ‘program’ myself, is NLP, a very interesting subject.

For work, I am a software developer/business owner and I think many INTP’s may find great interest here. Software comprises thousands of extraordinarily complex systems, there is always new stuff to learn. I love being the architect behind it, but my weakness is that I when I can see how the system will work in my head, it’s very difficult to actually complete the project on my own, since the implementation is completely boring at that point. My dream as a business owner is to get to the point where I can simply imagine and research projects, then have employess implement them completely.

Perhaps controversially, and this may be omitted by the editor, I have had some life changing experiences with particular illicit substances. I won’t discuss how illogical the world’s (and particularly US) war on drugs is, but I have sampled a certain ‘club’ drug that was once used legally in therapy until the government found it made people happy and they banned it (Google Shulgin). This drug (used on the rare occassion) has helped me get in touch with my feeling/emotional side, from the first time I tried it. It lets you act in a completely extraverted way, and to feel deeply in yourself and in connections with others. And I don’t advocate anti-depression drugs in all but the most extreme cases (I believe they become more of a problem than cure, and most things can be improved by changing thought); but this drug has opened my eyes to new things, opened my shell to the world.

R, age 30, yelirz@yahoo.com

4.15.2007 when i found out i was in intp, i was honestly surprised. I always thought that i was weird. Mainly because i rarely find anyone else like me who has a very broad interest in almost any form of intellectual pursuits. Like my love for science and philosophy. i love all forms of knowledge and i find myself constantly reading and learning for no particular purpose. my hope is that someday whatever i have gained through my pursuits, i will be able to share with others like me, whose as interested and captivated with my points of view about life and the universe.

such hopes i tend to think impossible until i found out i was an intp and that tons of others share this with me.

being lost in my thoughts is always welcome for me. the universe is indeed a great place to observe and learn from. even when i was younger, i always detached myself from others, preferring to observe their natural behaviours and gain insights on what they’re like basing from how they behave. It’;s always a constant struggle for me to express myself..and sometimes to the point of frustration. I have my views and opinions about anything but always opt to be reserved about it. never sharing unless asked or forced by bringing up a topic i feel very strongly about.

my diverse interests troubled me for a long time because it prevented me from choosing a career path that im convinced would make me happiest. but i ended up in the IT career, and im generally satisfied. the main drive here is the diversity of challenges and problems that need to be solved each unique.

even as i write now, so many thoughts cross my mind that i can't sort them out to express myself openly and correctly. i guess this is my flaw. but writing it down here is quite refreshing. here i see myself more clearly in the midst of others like me.

Sel, a ge 22, chichabituka@yahoo.com

3.26.2006 I have difficulties in explaining about myself. I dont talk much unless somebody addresses a question to me or someone utters something wrong. I love to be alone and at the same time yearn for more friends. I cant understand others emotions and mostly give some logical solutions. I love to break open electronic items and reassemble them. I am presently working as a Software Engineer and at work, I involve myself more on design side. I love to hear music whcih matches my mood. I am very moody. I am selfish most of the time. I am absent mided and cant do daily activities unless I write down a list. I hate routine. I love to just wander in life without a goal. And do I need to say, I am an INTP. I used to feel starnge before but not any more. So fellow INTPs do mail me if you want to be friends with another confusde INTP..bye

~ Venkataprasad, email, blog

3.05.2006 first i would like to say that i am relieved. its nice to know that im not theo nly one out there. sometimes if eel different from other people- in no way shape or form better or worse, just different. although i think i am different, i do NOT think i am weird. i am very grounded and have no peculiar habits or fantasies, but because i am so honest and candid about my unconventional views people tend to think i am weird. that's the confusing part. how the hell can one be different without being weird? so like a typical intp i am going to sit here the rest of the night and analyze that. i spent my whole day adding and multiplying double and triple-digit numbers in my head. i couldnt stop! last night i went to a party and had to leave because too many people showed up and i got freaked out. although i was the most attractive and had the whitest teeth there, i felt like i was too ugly and uninteresting to be there. i feel very awkward in social situations. which is strange because im trying to get a job as a waitress, and im not arrogant but men do find me attractive (of course not all of them do but quite a few) but i cant seem to get a job! the managers always come out and talk to me and interview me (because im cute like is aid before) but NOBODY will hire me because i dont have the right personality to work with people. anyways im done talking about myself- just wanted to say im relieved to nkow everything about me makes sense and comes together. now i will spend the rest of the night analyzing that because i won't be able to help it.

~ Kristen, age 18

2.26.2006 was blown away when I read Keirsey's statement 'you thought you were alone until you went to Univerity', as those were my own words. In fact I returned to Uni. Twice. Just to get away from 'the real world' and find some like minded people to interact with; in the Sciences, of course.

James Potts previously wrote 'how many INTP were executed for heresy, forced to conform, supressed or otherwise kept quiet and/or were simply not given the resources needed for them to develop their full potential'. To this I add my own theory; we are such a minority because the medieval world was not a healthy one for us free-thinkers. Those that survived did so in the monastaries and cloisters that did not encourage reproduction - hence our minority status in this world. But at last we are coming to our own, as long as we can bear the loneliness that comes out of being perpetually misunderstood.

~ Peggy, age 38

2.24.2006 I used to wake up cursing the day. Cursing traffic. Cursing being late to class. After realizing the limitations of class discussion, I would leave class to write in a journal. I would find a location where i could observe people; life. I would call a friend or two, whose intelligence i respected and talked about "todays insights." I would lose sleep to read, only to wake up again the next day...cursing.

How have i coped? Sometime in mid-january 2006 i woke up and realized a sense of purpose. I am currently taking the necessary steps forward to create-a-major (which i had help naming) of "Cultural Criticism." Classes from various departments: philosophy, psychology, anthropology, communication, political science, and more. The idea is to grasp an understanding on the human condition, and then critique it through scriptwriting.

The trouble, right now, is coming to accept this future...

~Bonzon, age 21

2.23.2006 I identify with all of the comments and thoughts made, and in more than just the INTP chameleon way, but in a way that corresponds most exactly to myself. I can empathize exceedingly well without having to think too hard. It's wonderful. :-)

A note about the chameleon aspect of INTPS: With other types, I feel the process of understanding of them is similar to understanding complex concepts in philosophy/math/science. Unfortunately, you can't respond to a person the way you can to a concept: concepts don't respond with emotions when you pick and probe at them with a mind to verifying truth. With people I think INTPs are probing for understanding, but they know that if they push too hard the communication stops. (I think the "chameleon" aspect is the most considerate, empathic aspect of INTPs in their relationships with other types.) Furthermore, I think that in a large sense INTPs find their identity in the verification of truths -- and they have such difficulties in coming up with their own due to their formidable standards for knowledge, that they end up seeking the truths of others. Descartes, upon the basis of every other proposition in his Meditations, was able to derive "I think" which was to him the ability to make judgements. So it is with me, and I believe it is with INTPs in general.

I was introduced to MBTI in high school, about 6-7 years ago. One of the teachers (ESFJ), after ascertaining our results, decided to read aloud the description for INTP only. I was stunned, as most INTPs are. (And I wonder now what her motive was in choosing only that profile from the book to be read aloud..there were only about 5-6 of us in a :double" classroom of 60..) I ended up choosing to go into philosophy partly because of what I'd discovered in that profile. I also finally understood, in a coherent, logical way, why people are what they are, and why it is necessary for the sake of balance that each type exists. I am glad there are other types to take over the machine when I'm no longer interested, or who relish in "daily maintenance." ::Shudder::

For while I liked math and physics, and went as far as I could despite knowing I wouldn't be pursuing either in the future, no one could convince me that they were justified. Proofs and complex epistemological arguments were skipped over and ignored due to time constraints. My questions simply were too much for the teachers. If I knew then what I know now, maybe I could have been some brilliant scientist. But I was too caught up with worry about the epistemological and metaphysical foundation of the system. (I almost failed chemistry out of sheer stubborness. I _hate_, and seem incapable of, simply memorizing everything.) It seems that many people treat science as if it holds divine authority, but many don't bother to question its rationality (which is really what should give science its authority). At least that's how I've perceived it..then again, I wonder if I simply voiced the doubt that others perversely ignore, because they know that ultimately they don't have the answers. Sometimes, I'm almost jealous of people's ability not to care about such things, while I obsess endlessly over them.

I have found much comfort in the internet, which is the perfect forum for INTP interaction. There are plenty of groups to fall into, and out of, as I desire. There are no membership requirements, and no one forcing me to be anywhere at a specific time. Hey, there's even INTP dating services! Luckily for me I found an INTJ five years ago and the relationship is still strong. So my opinion on romance for an INTP is to find someone of the same, or similar, type. NT minds are ideally suited for each other, in my opinion.

I still have issues with procrastination and timeliness, on which I am still working.

My biggest fear is that we will figure out everything and no longer have anything to seek to understand. An ironic paradox for an INTP, don't you think?

~Stephanie, age 22

2.20.2006 Me being an only child and a INTP opened my eyes to the joys of solitude. Growing up as a kid I remember longing to be by myself so I could just be in my own little imaginary world. Even, today as an adult I have the same desire. I enjoy the relationships in my life, but there's nothing like sitting down or even standing up and letting my mind just wonder into space. My biggest strength as an INTP is strategizing, categorizing, and foreseeing. I've been told many times by many different people that I'm pyschic or something. I seem to have the ability to foresee the actions and or outcomes of people and situations around me. I don't neccessarily think I'm psychic but I think that I can just look past the obvious and see into the essence of a person or situation and accurately understand its nature.

What has helped me as a INTP is learning and studying how Introverted Thinking works. One of the most obvious manifestations of Introverted Thinking in INTP's is the ability to understand the underlying truth or essence of something. Also, the ability to quickly be able to comprehend complex theories and concepts.

One of my most biggest struggles in life is being able to consistently get things done in the sensate, or external world. Things like paying bills, doctor appointments, or any type of appointment I struggle consistently to remember and keep. When I put my mind to it I succeed at sensate tasks. The problem is that I don't naturally and consistently keep my mind on sensate tasks. As an INTP my natural problem solving abilities and ability to adapt quickly has compensated for some of my sensate task short-comings.

~age 27

2.20.2006 I've always had a good sense of self-understanding, and have know myself to be the personality tpye I can now apply the label INTP to. I've known about Jung's types for a couple years, but only recently have I gotten more into the subject. It is very interesting to read these posts, as I can relate to any I read. I noticed a lot of younger people, which I think is great. The particular system which fascinates me is Earth-- its natural history, processes and systems. I feel that the Earth is at a point right now where rates of change are approaching the cusp of an exponential curve. This anthropogenically driven acceleration will undoubtedly have profound and unforseen effects. Of course, as a whole system, the world naturally adapts to these stresses. Earth's reaction is coming in the form of all of these young, motivated individuals with the proper resources to faclitate global change by furthering our understanding of ourselves, the Earth and the Universe. Judging by the ages and apparent intellects of many of these posters, I would venture to guess that once again, INTP's could be the bringers of hightened understanding and a new era. -Nick, Charlottesville, VA; Albany, NY

~age 19

2.02.2006 I identify with most of their comments. It's both a surprise and comfort to see that they are people like you. I rarelly reply to any discussion thread on the internet, but I think I own to the other INTPs and the organizer of this survey to validate their feelings and thoughts.

I don't feel like an odd ball growing up, may be it's because in my country (China), being "nerd" is not considered bad at all, it's actually appreciated. Other than all the obvious characteristics that have been described very well by other INTP, I find I'm constantly criticizing myself for my "P" traits - not being able to complete boring chores even though I reationly acknowledge those are my duties.

Another issue not mentioned by other INTPs here is relationship and marriage, but this is not a surprise. Until quite late in my life, I don't feel any urgent need or interest for a girlfirend, and would rather spend lots of time reading and thinking about "unrealistic" things.

These are about the only odd traits noticed by my family and friends. But once I've formed a 5 years relationship, I've discovered that actually it's a better state than being completly solitude. We brokeup envetually, but I've made up my mind to start searching for a new soulmate. Being an INTP, this seems to be extremely painful and "unnatural". But I believe it worth it.

~Shane, age 37

1.23.2006 On the subject of a slower thought process I wonder if the following might be what you describe.

I was once told by an IT trainer that some people learn best by seeing and some by doing. He commented that there is a much rarer third way, which he observed mostly among programmers (and in me - hence the discussion), which he called data processing. This is exactly what I do, and should not be mistaken for slowness of thought!

When I'm learning, I need to process the information I hear/see. When the data comes faster than I can process it I can get stuck and 'overflow' as it were, particularly if I have to grapple with an idea. At such a time I have to stop the teacher (the input) and clarify the point before I can continue. If this is not possible I will generally lose track of proceedings until I am done processing, which is inconvenient in group learning situations. However, once processed, I have fully grasped the point and will not need to return to it.

Anyone else do this? I suspect it is related to the INTP stubborness I have seen described - the unwillingness to accept what others say (whatever their status may be) without first analysing and deciding for ourselves.

It tickles me to think that I work rather like a computer program.

~Henry, age 25

1.12.2006 If you ask me how is to be an INTP, well, I think it is comfortable enough. Even more, I simply cannot see me being/having/belonging to other type. If you ask my wife (who is a clear ESFJ) she has her moments of dispair ;-) of being married with an INTP... If you want to ask my friends is rather difficult, guess why? - I don't have too many.

~ age 38

12.16.2005 i've just been made hip to this myers-briggs stuff in the last week or so - not positive i am an intp, but pretty sure i am. i think i am fairly well-adjusted - as much as an intp can be anyway - but it is a tremendous relief to know that there are lots of us out there. what i relate to most about intp behavior is the ability and storng tendency to spend hours and even days alone, sometimes skipping meals without noticing - all in the pusuit of solving some problem, figuirng something out - not knowing exactly why or how i developed the interest in the first place, but almost completely consumed by it. the two phrases i grew to hate most from my mother were "honey, why don't you go outside and play" and "i want you to clean up your room." attendance at social engagements, even to the present day, is something i often view as a self-improvement endeavor - not something i would choose to do. interests have varied over the years - as a child, i was passionate about drawing and physical anthropology. these days my passion is reformed theology. the beauty of it is that it presents a complete philosophical system - a "worldview" for understanding all of reality. every component - knowledge of God, man, salvation, etc, together form an architectonic unity. i expect to enjoy exploring these jungian categories for a spell - a new tool for getting a handle on the way the world works!

-- DAvid, age 44

10.16.2005 Socrates and his message to lead the examined life, one which through reason can be assessed for best possible solutions connected with me as did similarly Sherlock Holmes. The extraverted intuition of Einstein displayed in the 'tongue - out' photograph also resonated. For further insightful reading on famous INTPs I would strongly recommend the chapter 'the search for coherence' in Anthony Storr's book Solitude. Wittgenstein who I believe is an INTP is described and I identify with him. In addition though I'm not sure if he is definitely an INTP I identify with Kafka.

I find the accounts given on this webpage frequently profound and its discovery is a real point of significance for me. In particular James Potts' account struck a chord. I only discovered Jung based typology a month ago but it is a great revelation. A lot has been explained. I have had great difficulty in social situations and have always struggled with being so introverted especially in my teens. Three years ago I went through a period of psychosis and have been keen to understand why this has happened ever since. I have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder. Prior to the psychosis I was unhappy and greatly stressed and at the edge of a relationship {the psychosis occurred just after entering the sixth form (England)}, though during it I felt as happy as I have done since early childhood and also at times as scared as I have ever been. I agree with a lot of what James Potts says about conformism and I felt that at school. Moments of inspiration and escape would occur by reading books like Sophie's World (as mentioned) or listening to music (Manic Street Preachers) or watching film (Shawshank Redemption, American Beauty) and my brain would fire up after being dulled by classes and social convention and after that it would not stop running and I would not sleep and thoughts ran faster and faster until the brain couldn't take anymore. Throughout my teens I have dreamed of living in a small pod in the middle of nowhere protected from the outside world. I even built a small wooden caravan for my Design Technology coursework for such a purpose! One of the things that kept me going was meeting another INTP at school and for everyone such a thing is a grace.

I'm off to university soon to study philosophy and psychology and though my coping mechanisms for stress and procrastination are not well developed I have been given some advice which I could share here. It is none of my business to think what others think about me. Be loyal to yourself. Bring yourself into the present when worries dominate. In strange places with strange people guard yourself with an imagined cloak of light fabricated from unconditional love that is so intense that harmful influences bounce off its surface like a mirror. To think of such a force think of a place perhaps you know where all the vibrations around you tell you that the place is eternally special and calm and in the presence of unconditional love; that it is just right.

-- Mark, age 19

10.10.2005 I identify especially the one who asks "if any other INTPs notice a considerably slower thinking process..." - my boss just did a personnel review, and that was the one biggest complaint she had - i seem to think slow. Perhaps everyone at work is ";ExTJ" types. And always, professors, coworkers, girlfriends, et al always say things like my head is in the clouds, or i'm not "grounded" as if i should be different from what i am. very annoying! And i'm collaborating with an artist on some larger paintings, always feeling in conflict because she says "focus" which no good for us ***P types!   As an "artist/physicist" i certainly find identification with the physicists, biochemists and such.    I didn't see much commentary on this page from artists; maybe they're more likely to be categorized INFP? My MB test actually came out close to tied - INFP or INTP, take your pick!

Keep in mind, it is in the rough areas where one needs the most polishing. Rely on your strengths, but do give other modes of operation a try now and then. I deliberately look for ESTJ type things to do (ie Election Judge in 2002) to stretch myself.

Also, observing it takes many types of people to make the good things in the world work. (It takes fewer types to make the bad things work ;-)   Someone has to play tuba, someone has to play flute, someone has to conduct, and someone has to keep the music library straight. I delight in the variety and sometime surprising ways our systems develop. Some industries have places for all types - film/TV, or large manufacturers, for example. But there are some systems i could do without - like our political and economic systems. Especially the latter; i don't "get" why anyone should die of starvation for merely not having financial/business savvy, or a major bit of bad luck such as the layoffs of the last 5 years. Ah, if only Earthlings could see how things are done on my home planet!   (I wonder where my home planet is?)   It is by providing visions of possible futures, how things can be, that maybe others can make serious improvement to the state of things in our world.   We INTPs (and INFPs too) are a important part of coming up with these visions. Other very different types, the E's and the J's and all, have their parts in making it all come about. I am comfortable with, and glad to have, my role in all this as an INFP (and a Gemini, liberal environmentalist, whatever).   BTW, i didn't see any sci fi writers in the list of famous INTPs; i am sure there are some.

But there are rough spots i have yet to resolve including: dealing with 9-to-5 full time jobs, dealing with suits, those high intensity "focus" people, dealing with clocks and calendars. Often i am reluctant, even fearful, to start an interesting fun project, knowing that at some particular clock time i'll have to pull the plug, just quit, no matter how well things are going, because i have to be somewhere.   It is hard, but avoiding making any commitments to anything based on dates and times helps. Earthlings love their clocks and schedules! Here again we need that future vision - showing how we can live and do things in harmony without the mechanical contraptions.    Reminds me of a scene from Theodore Sturgeon's "The Cosmic Rape" where people spontaneously synchronized their activities with exquisite precision. An excellent read, but i digress.

Finally, according to one friend of mine, the real fundamental solution to most of our, oops i meant the Earthlings', problems, is to fully bring back the Goddess.   (Book to appear soon...)   I can never quite get a clear explanation of just what she means in everyday terms, but if that means letting women run things, cool! Most companies and nonprofits i've been glad to have been involved with, which seem to be the best-run, have been headed by business-savvy women.   I really have no idea, but am guessing that such environments are better for IN** types in general. What have others observed?

-- daren w, age 45, email and website

8.15.2005 I agree with most people here. As a female INTP, I think the world includes a bunch of wolves too,,that was always my expression.

For a while I touthgt i was not normal but knowing the fact that I was an INTp made my life much easier. As a child I was very quiete and private person, very very curious. I used to collect lots of insects and i had a book where I used to stick them to my book!! My dream was to have a microscope nd put these bugs under the microscope and study them.

I took Astrology when I was only 15 years nd continue to study it and get my astrology degree. I cold buy pieces of electronics from Radio shak and make a little radio station. I could fix almost any thing at home, any plugs or any thing. I like the corse that i had about the car engine at elementary school, I knew how to build a little house with bricks and cement at school. I liked to invent things like once i made a little box of movie and i created a little version of manual and mechanical camera or movie!

I was really quiete as a child, used to hide in closets and be alone by my self. As a teenager I grow up and got closed to mostly boys because girls could nto understand me well. Because of that people tought I was a bad girl and wanted just to have boys with me but that was ot the case at all. Boys could teach me so much and i could learn a lot from them.

The whle people and my family tought I had some kind of problem because i was always different adn did not want to get married later on what they wanted and consider as being a legitimate and good match. I needed to discover first, I got married when I was 20 but did not liek it and wanted to get out as soon as possible. the world did nto finish there for me yet.

I did not want to have children yet. I wanted to know about every thing ad every body in this world first. It was honestly a veyr solitude and lonely world for me. Because not too many people could understand me ad they were all taking me always wrong thinking that I was never good. they used to tell me all the time, you muist have some kind of psychological problems because I was thinking differently.

most men I had relaitonship with were the type of Gardians, most people in my family are Gardians. now I still attract mostly men from ENFJ groupe for some reason and can not handle too much emotions coming from them. As a woman and as a thinker it is so hard to do my duties as an average niormal woman. I have a child and sngle mom now. I did nto get veyr rich butmoney is not eveyr thing for me. I want my son to choose nad think for him self. I tought him to read th ealphabets when he was only a year old. I want my son to be smart. He can ow read a book and he is only three. He can read numbers too. He draws very nice pictures. He is really smart my son and I am happy that he is. His health ad my health are in a good condition but I do nto think like most moms do. I never ask for any help to raise my son.

I am tough as a naila dn can do almost any thing if I put my mind on it. I always like and ask for knowledge. I know I can not make up my minde and can not stick to some thing for a while but the wolrd is sucha big place to learn. We can all learn an dthink much better. If we could all think we would not may be have so much troubles around the world. th eproblem with humna being is that htey waste their time too much on useless stuff. they do not want to think logically specially some women even with all these freedom of speech ad every thing, they get a job as an executive or director of companies but when they go back home, they are stupid as hale!!!

Any way, it is very hard to be an intp, alone in this univese and specially be a woman intp. The soceity is a sick society, we like to expect different things for different people. Men or women, we can all be smart and think clear and logic, why do we always have to distinguish between these two genders??

I am as sexual and as agressive and as smart as a man can be or may be more but why men should keep us down and expect little few duties at home for women.

I always lived my life in a female body but always think as a man too because we all have brains, we know exactly what is going on in this world??? I am not a feministe and do not believe in that at all but I have a damm good brain in my head and why is it that I should be different because only I am a woman!!

Thanks so much for reading my e-mail ad good luck to all the intp and specially all those very rare intp females on earth. Life is and can be really really tough on us!!

DM, age 39

From my previous e-mail I also forgot to add that I study Statistic adn Economie which were my favorite subjects at high school. The Ecology was amazing too. I was good at Physics. I did not have to study all year long. Only few hours before the test I used to just go very fast through my book. I only needed to read some thing once and it was there in my brain for ever!! I did not want to bother with my study because it was too simple and boring.

my IQ was around 125 to 130 which I find it not good enough! I could do beeter may be at this type of test, after all it was logic i supposed. I later on went to the Unviersity and got my minor in Psycology and major in French Literature. I was facinated by psychology. If I had more moeny I owuld get my Psaychology degree at no time. I went to business shcool and Teacher's College but it was really not my cup of tea. I tried the Teacher's College two times and could not find the logci relationships between the subjects dn the way how at school they tell teachers to teach. It ws awfuland they use very awful system to do that. Children are like spong, they can absorbe any thing more then adults and it is mostly waste of time at school for those poor little children. Teachers just follow few codes, this is so not great to learn any thing at scchool, at least what i believe. I worked in banks and was very good at that. I am doing lots of things and have now two, three jobs that i am holding and have a realtionship now.

But why is it that we as intps we always attract the idealiste types, specially the one with ENFJs temperements?? Thery fall in lvoe with us then later they want and try hard to change us. Turn us to a sensititve sentimentasl beings. You can not change some one because only you think it is okay??

That is all I culd say, god luck to eveyr one hee on this wonderful web site. It is great to have such a great web site like this and be able to expresse our toughts nd out emotions.

8.8.2005 I hope this does not sound like an attack, John Hearn has some valid points and arrogance is certainly not something I encourage but personally I would find it incredibly boring if everyone in the world was modest.

When I saw the results of my personality type I was stunned by the flawless accuracy of the description, almost as if a psychiatric phantasm had been tracing my thoughts for months and then posted it's results on the Internet. Only now, reading all of these accounts I realise how truly remarkable it is how many other people there are thinking on my wavelength. The knowledge that there are others who share the same thoughts as myself intrigues me greatly and yet also I feel as though some of my individuality has faded with this discovery. I reassure myself though that only a very small percentage of the population is categorised with the INTP personality type and from what I have read they mostly sound like intelligent, reasonable people. About myself now, I am a graphic novel artist. This is my favourite medium to outlet creativity because I can combine both of my prominent talents, writing fictional literature and drawing/ inking the human form into one work.

-- Bleu, age 15

8.5.2005 Also, I would like to know if any other INTPs notice a considerably slower thinking process, albeit moderately more thorough?

hi alex, this is a question that i have been musing over myself for quite a while now. i think a suitable analogy can be found in simple physics. i cant find the perfect equation on the internet at the moment ( been searching for all of 2 minutes, perfect example of us "intp's" loosing patience.) but basically put, it takes quite a while for something very heavy (our intellect) to gather momentum or speed.

think of it as a massive locomotive, it takes a while to get moving but after a while it can develop massive pace. i suppose the downside is that it takes a lot to stop a runaway train (keep that in mind!). if you havent noticed i am an intp border line intj aged 22 years living in sheffield, great britain. i loved your little article, very succinct and to the point, feel i could have written it myself. it touched me. with regards to my age i can safely claim that i have a little more experience in life than yourself without sounding condescending. as such i would like to give you a few pointers which i feel you may find helpful.

people need people, humanity are pack animals, individually you and i are wolves but even wolves need association from time to time or there would not be any wolves. in the adult world association has to be sought unlike at a school institution where people are seemingly forced on you. adulthood can be very lonely for us types. learn social skills now even if it is through books, we love psychology so learn it in a cold book fashion if needs be but please do it and prepare.

2. the mind is not fully formed until mid 20's it is a sight to behold, you will be able to chew the fat for hours on end in a few years and all i can say is that it is great.

3. our type are naturally depressives and excessive solitude can/will make your depressive state greater until it is clinically expressed, when fully expressed depression fully locks the mind which aint good for the agile intp mind so try to avoid depression if you can; mind lock and cognitive dulling is our antitheses, read up on it.

please let me know when you have received this email. it would be great to correspond for a while if you like. hope you found this some help. all the best

yours
reece , age 22, email

8.01.2005 I identify with practically all of the above persons. As a young child I frequently played games involving the imagination and was a notorious fabricator. Growing up has had its ups and downs. Discovering my gifts has been inspiring, but realizing that I have spent almost my entire life on a different wavelength is a little overwhelming. I am currently coming to grips with myself and am learning that I am who I am and that there is nothing I can do but accept it. I am also trying to figure out how these things you call "credit cards" work. Feeling reality for the first time can be difficult, especially when it's on the receiving end of a punch to your face. I am getting over my depression and learning to cope better. I think college will provide more opportunities to excel.

Being an INTP has its advantages and disadvantages, just like any other personality type (albeit much, much, much more pronounced). Reflecting on history, I can only imagine how many INTP were executed for heresy, forced to conform, supressed or otherwise kept quiet and/or were simply not given the resources needed for them to develop their full potential. It's a shame that our society places so much value on the worker b'E' people and little on us until we've actually proven ourselves worthy. I think that it is a shame that we are fed lies by incompetent mongrels through most of our youth and told that we will amound to nothing. While most INTPs will eventually discover sometime during their life that they are not inferior, this is not the case for all of them, some falling victim to anxiety and depression and even suicide. I believe that the next rung on the social ladder is making sure that highly intelligent people(especially INTPs) are given encouragement and the tools necessary for them to succeed in a left-brained, systematic, social and verbal world. It's really shocking to see people living their routine lives without so much as a second thought about societal flaws that you see so clearly. It's all a matter of experience. In order for someone to understand the INTP plight they must have some knowledge of what it's like to be different from and victimized by a population of conformists. Anyway, I am currently trying to teach myself coping mechanisms to relieve the stress of work and real life. The real world is bad enough, but it can be hell for INTPs. Conversely, it can also be the "best of all possible worlds", which is why INTPs have so much weight on their shoulders. It takes a good two decades for most INTPs to learn these things and find out how to cope, but those who can muster the strength and willpower to succeed will become masters of the universe. Virtually everything wonderful and worth living for that has ever been done or created is the work of an INTP, though if misguided INTPs can prove catastrophic (Hitler, Stalin, virtually every dictator with the INTJ/INTP personality). Generally speaking, INTPs have more to gain and more to lose, and it is their responsibility to use their gifts for the better of mankind.

-- James Potts, age 17

7.15.2005 When I first learned I was an INTP, I was incredibly gratified to see list of famous INTPs. Jung has always been my favorite psychologist (his theories on archetypes fit nicely into my favorite subject, English literature) and since I've read Sophie's World, by Jostien Gaarder (an excellent novel for those interested in psychology) I've practically worshipped Socrates. It feels good to know that though I do not have the same mental capacity as my idols, at least I have the same personality.

Being an INTP comes with challenges doesn't it? Though I'm in the honors program at my school, surrounded by people both as intelligent and more intelligent than me, I've always found it hard to identify even to people in that select group. I've found that even if my peers are more efficient thinkers than I, they like to think less and dislike discussing politics, philosophy and religion outside of class. I know for a fact that I was the only INTP in a class of 30 extremely gifted psychology students.

I've also discovered (to my intense surprise) that very few people besides INTPs take it for granted that nothing in the universe is certain. Because of my tendency to answer questions with "I think." or "this person believes.." people tend to find me more uncertain than I really am.

It was only after finding out I was an INTP that I started to trust my intuition. I've found that about 90% of the time, my logical guesses (or sometimes completely random guesses) will be right. If there are any other INTPs not trusting their intuition I urge you to start trusting yourself. That N in INTP stands for iNtuition!
Sites like this have really helped me. It's so nice to hear from other people who think like I do!

PS: Any career suggestions for an INTP who thrives at critical reading, but not the sciences or math?

7.06.2005 Many characteristics fit Einsteins traits; as I recall the photo where he sticks his tongue out. It is unusual, however, and much like a different correlation to the world around you; addressing a camera like it is all for the world to see and peak into your persona, unrelenting with the aspect that eternity will enshrine your uniqueness when life accordingly recognizes you for who you are. Very few INTPs will ever reach the stature of Einstein, as I have not myself, though briefly in a moment those intuitive glimpses of recognition make their stand. O_o

There comes a time in every persons life when they find out who they are. Perhaps certain moments of social nuances will be questioned every day of our lives, though we would be lieing to say INTPs are not unique, and therefore it is greatly esteemed to recognize when the traits do apply. Maybe ever since you were young, you always knew somethings seemed different, though perhaps not 'abnormal.' Perhaps people will try to correct your 'introversion,' only to remind you more how you detests the hu-man (alien emphasis applied) language, and to some degree extroversion. It is needless to explain the frustration that can be applied to this, though no more than our perceptivness would allow for us to cope. We can always understand where others emphasis fails, and where ours may seem to define our latent abilities; never allowing ourselves to be submissive to the faults of others. Though unfortunately, life doesn't allow for that assumption to be dictated. For that, all I have to say is, know what you know, for you may only know the better. School, for me is a pain in the *****(expletive null). Perhaps my introversion has driven me to define life before I've lived it?

PS: Don't play with a q-tips, you're liable to get injured. . .

-- Ryan M. Parr, age 20

7.01.2005 Welcome to New Zealand Anne.

Yes, there are also INTP's in New Zealand. Both my wife and I are INTP so we have much in common. What I have discovered is that my life during the early years growing up was reasonably straight forward. But as I have grown older, I feel that my mind is evolving and longing for understanding of many things, concepts, ideas etc. I definitely see myself as a late bloomer- only now beginning to understand who I am and how I can make a contribution. Many people misunderstand me so they find it difficult to fathom why I see and do things differently and don't want to pursue a 'normal' life. The universe and the world is out there to understood.

By the way. Does anyone else out there find it difficult to discover a vocation that suits them?

-- Mike, email

6.15.2005 I strongly identify with Socrates and Descartes. I'm extremely interested in philosophy; Socrates, Descartes and Kant fascinate me. I also admire Einstein, Darwin and [cut off, I guess]

Being an INTP is both curse and blessing. On the one hand, I think that awareness of the fascination of complexity and reason is a gift. On the other hand it is quite annoying to be either enerved by everyone around me or to be called an arrogant person because of my intellectuality and my search for loneliness.

But in the end, I have found a few similar people in a voluntary philosophy course at school. It's easier to cope INTP-ness with friends who know this feeling of couriosity conjuncted to loneliness. And after all, my couriosity lead me to the will to study philosophy.

(Please, excuse my awful English skills, I'm from abroad...)

-- Julius, age 18, email

6.08.2005 I identify with this: "The only real valuable thing is intuition." -Einstein

Personally, it seems I've always had to accept lonliness and self-doubt as a constant in life, especially an overwhelming lonliness, as people who we can relate to are few and far between.

But there have been the occasional exciting instances in which an author will share their ideas, through a book I'm reading in the wee hours, or I'll be surprised, bewitched by a phrase I identify with in a lecture or even a simple bit of profound graffiti could do it.

We live in an intensly complicated personal world that we each possess so intimately that it's seemingly indescribable to others, so that when something makes the distance and creates a bridge, and the complications between these personal worlds seem thin and a connection is formed even between two strangers, like an impossible tear in a sheet of iron, a piece of someone else's secret world will come to view, and speak to your own psyche. this is where I find that understanding may very well be the strongest connection between souls. It's when I find this unexpected view into another's microcosm that I can comfort myself and know that I am not entirely alone, that there are others whose minds may be so intense that they would do almost anything to escape at times.

I am from the United States but a couple of weeks ago I moved to New Zealand, and I am now studying at Victoria University of WEllington. I'm double-majoring in anthropology and psychology, which seems appropriate. i'm extremely restless, which may account for the sudden change of lifestyle.

I've been interested in Jungian ideas since i started reading this wonderful book, which i would suggest to all INTPs, called "Jung to live by" the author is eugene pascal, smart guy.

it's the wee hours of the morning here in NZ, and i couldnt help but miss out on sleep in order to read some of these comments by other INTPs. I usually dont reveal my thoughts online, or anywhere at all, for that matter, but i felt compelled to do so, as i read i had an amazing feeling of relief to know that i may not be lonely for the emainder of my days.

As for coping, that has to involve an awareness that there is actually a problem that needs to be coped with, and i'm not sure how to pinpoint that. who has a cure for lonliness? i think that all individuals must be lonely, to an extent, all we can do is bear it.

-- Anne, email

5.26.2005 I can only relate with the famous INTP's because of the fact that i love to analyze and be alone!

I had only found out a month ago that I am an INTP. For so many years i yearned to fit in with everyone..but no matter how I tried - I felt out of place because I could never relate with other teenagers. The only way to really describe it is the extra screw after you put together a table ("...where does this go?" ) I constantly have friend problems because I always seem to attract extraverted people. I never understood how one month I would have 10 people phoning me every day..then the next month 10 people hating me for not hanging out and making them a major priority in my life.

Weirdly enough, I always thought that my personalty was to blame on my horoscope (Virgo) - being a hermit/loner and the 'logical' one.

I always thought I was actually stupid and weird for thinking way too much into things...and analyzing everything..and I was always made to feel bad for doing so - but i've accepted my quirky ways and i enjoy being an INTP!

Go Brains!

-- Mallory, age 19, email

I guess i Identify with Mr. Anonymous, in that I love Science and reading and learning new things, I am good at math and writing but like him I have little patience for math and book anylizing.

I guess I don't hold a candle up to any of you because I am not convinced I have even a little bit of genius. But I have always felt the need to learn all I can and learn how everything works. I love discussing theories with people and logic and such, and I am always incredibly pleased when I find someone else like that. It tends to irritate me when people say "oh your so quiet you need to make more friends, you need to talk more" or " you think too much for anyones good" it sometimes makes me want to deck them though I am ussually not violent. Also I find it hard to express why I love learning about how the universe ticks. In science class my friend sometimes asks "and you actually want to do this" as if that wre insane. And I find it impossible to answer! I love to retreat into my own world, thoughts or my books but I am entirely awkward in a social setting. I am also incredibly stubborn, when it comes to something i strongly believe in. Happily two of my elder brotheres are like me though they have not test and both are stronger in it than I. The other is an extravert and we are always at eachothers throats. It's hard for me to amke new friends but when I do they are forever.

-- Valerie, age 15

5.6.2005 I am glad to be in the supposed company of Lincoln (my favorite US President), Darwin and Einstein, wow, not to mention the great Socrates as well. If anything, I can identify with their sense of logic and calm, flowing style.

I have learned to value solitude, rather than loneliness and to observe with passion rather than to be a wallflower: that is, to overcome the negative views of others with positive view of oneself. It helps when I can get out and experience new things and new people, rather than to fall into a comfortable, but predictable (and likely boring) routine. Like many people, I still have pitfalls, so no solution is ever final (or could that be the analytical gears wanting to churn out new possiblities whenever possible?)! :-)

-- Marko, age 35

5.2.2005 I have recently found out my type (INTP) and it has been a great relief to know that there are lots of us out there (more than I previously would have thought at least).

I think so much that it has concerned me that it wasn't healthy. That my brain would just eventually sieze up from over use.

In my past, I have done numerous jobs. Each I have pursued with vigor and then left to take up a new interests. I have managed to find an area that keeps me relatively focused in the longer term. I am a physical scientist. This discipline seems to be populated by INTP and INTJ types.

As much as we INTPs are all very different people, I take solace in knowing that you are all out there with such similar traits.

Eric, age 40

4.26.2005 I love theory so yes I identify with them. I identify and get annoyed with Descartes because I can see how he came up with such nonsense. I can be smart and stupid too!

I'm pleased to have found out that I'm an INTP. Feeling different is tough and it's something you love-and-hate but you can't help it so this is affirming and pleasing to know. Apparently, we're only about 1% of the population so no wonder we feel different! I studied Sociology which I found fascinating. I did also suffer a "breakdown" of sorts where (no sobs) but I experienced a massive disconnectedness of things which was the most awful experience I've ever had - too much booze and caffeine and no breakfast no doubt! Seriously, it was grim and I had to sit down in front of the tv and watch pap tv for a while to "reintegrate" myself and eat with my family and pretend nothing was wrong. I've only told a few people this as most would never understand and would simply assume it is depression. Other than not yet finding a good INTP job I'm actually pretty happy, thanks! Good luck to you all and hope this touches a chord with some of you.

-- Jim, age 33

4.4.2005 I identify with Einstein, though I would never pretend to be comparable to him. I am not worthy!

Life as an INTP has been, well, interesting. Sometimes I feel like I'm the most introverted person on the planet, or even the only introvert on the planet. I display the typical INTP trait of indecisiveness, sometimes to an extreme. Unusual for an INTP, I'm fairly good at being punctual, though appropriately I hate being bound by appointments.

My favorite place is inside my head, and people (including myself, but less so than others) confuse me. That is not to say that I dislike us humans, just a lot of the things that we do.   Inside my heart is a battery that is drained by social interaction, and the drain on this battery is increased exponentially by each added person on which my attention must be focused. When such interaction is prolonged my body seems to literally rely on adrenaline to keep me going. I often feel forced to play the "false extrovert"; lately I have tried to suppress this urge, trying to be myself as a introvert in an extroverted world. I behave like quite the chameleon, even subconsciously picking up the speech patterns and tone of voice of people I speak with. The weirdest feeling is having to speak with two very different people at the same time; that's when I realize just how much my persona changes around different types of people. My outward behavior rarely matches the person inside my head.
   For reasons mysterious to me, people have a tendency to come to me and literally surround me, wanting to talk to me. I become the center of attention, which I can't stand. Sometimes I'll have more than one person speaking to me at the same time! I really haven't figured this one out yet. I have a fantasy of asking people direct questions about why they do certain things, and actually getting an answer. Hmm.
   I think I have a fairly strong Feeling side for a Rational (NT) type, but my Thinking side tends to voluntarily or involuntarily suppress my emotions and prevent me from acting on my feelings and impulses. Though I naturally find flaws in people and things, another side of me wants to show appreciation, compassion and warmth to others. I love to comfort anyone I care about, but the stronger I feel the urge to do something like this the more I lock up. I always want to give compliments but consistently find it impossible to do so unless someone is bragging in a friendly manner, openly inviting compliments. I constantly think about and fear the possible consequences of my actions. I am easily embarrassed and try to avoid embarrassing others, because I know how it feels. For some reason I am fascinated when normally reserved people reveal sudden outbursts of emotion.

My interests and talents are varied and don't necessarily match each other. Some of my current interests include science (both physical and life sciences), computers, photography, psychology (I want to understand people), and reading (everything and anything, including nutrition labels and instruction manuals.) Though I'm good at math and sometimes at writing, I typically have little patience or interest for either. I absolutely can't stand doing literature analysis; that sort of thing ruins novels for me. I guess that's my INTP "big picture" behavior coming in; I don't care about the details of the symbolism and whatnot, I just focus on the overall impression.

I am impressed when people display logic. I appreciate thoughtfulness, caring, and complexity of personality in others. I despise the phrases, "you think to much" and "if you'd only come out of your shell." (Hey extroverts! If you say either of those things to me I will climb out of my shell all right-- but only long enough to whack you! (just kidding)) Some things I say/think a lot are "Something always goes wrong," "There's never enough time," and "What?"

The only way I can cope with this mysterious world is to have time to be alone with my thoughts and feelings. On my own. The standard introvert way.

Remembering to accept others just as they are helps greatly when I'm with them, but of course this is not always easy.

I hope many other INTP's will read this and see that they're not alone.

-- Mr. Anonymous, age 17

3.22.2005 I think my fellow INTPs listed above are far too great personages to be compared to the likes of me! But I sympathise in my slight capacity to their intense concentration, and love of pondering things.

I just recently discovered who I was in Jungian Typology and it was the most amazing feeling when I read my profile. That all of these seemingly unexplainable tendencies of mine (my calmness, the way I refuse to take offense to things but completely blow up when somebody challenges my religion or deep values, the way I am most impressed by people when they display logic, etc..) are bound in a framework that OTHER PEOPLE share and understand was an amazing discovery. I felt a lot more normal, and I gained a lot of insight into how my type and my friends' and siblings' influence our interaction. It was fabulous, and I'm so happy to be part of the INTP community now, and so proud to be who I am.

-- K.U., age 16

3.15.2005 I admire most of them in different ways, but I'm not sure that I identify with any of them per se. I'd love to be as rational as Socrates (or at least how he is portrayed by Plato), but then again I'd quite like to have the big picture skills of an Einstein or Darwin. Probably would like to be most like Socrates, questioning redundant social rules.

Having not ever been anything else, there isn't really a reference point. I tend to make friends slowly and keep them, which means that I can be fairly lonely for a while if I have to move from one place to another. Socially I tend to talk about quite intense academic things - I find small talk difficult. I've learned to talk about things like music and film rather than 'hard' subjects like science, which makes social conversation easier. I'm very interested in academic things, and can lose myself in mathematics, philosophy, history or any of the sciences (particularly biology).

I tend to focus on rational thought, but sometimes it feels like a facade - I don't have very well developed defences against emotions both my own and those of others, and I often have the feeling that there is a dangerous mass of emotion boiling under the surface of my personality which I have to actively restrain. I've suffered from depression and anxiety on and off, perhaps as a result of this.

I take criticisms personally, unless they are made in the rational constructive way that you encounter in academia. I'm always questioning myself and pushing myself harder. I guess I'm never satisfied with myself, I always feel that I could do much more if only I could concentrate on one thing.

My ability to deal with the interpersonal side of work isn't too great, although I've got better at it over time. When I first ventured into the world of business I acquired the reputation of being a bit of a bruiser (because I become impatient when I think people are not making an effort) and of being something of a 'Vulcan'. Over time things have got better, but the bruiser reputation has stuck (interestingly both the bruiser and 'Vulcan' reputations seem to have helped push me up the career ladder quickly, but they have serious downsides). I tend to find myself shunted into advisory positions - I'm currently co-ordinating supply chain strategy for my company's European operations. I find that people will listen to my ideas, and seem to come to me to solve problems, or if there is a need for big picture analysis, but they don't seem to want to follow me and in project teams I tend to lose out in group power struggles and be relegated back to the status of advisor. I also have to rely a bit on others to help me finish tasks as I tend to lose interest after a while. I don't think I've yet learned to cope with being an INTP. I'm an outsider and whilst that can be interesting, it can also be quite unpleasant at times. I'm not sorry for being who I am, but I think it will take some time for me to learn to defend myself against both societal pressure to conform, and my own internal desire to constantly push myself further.

-- Jonathan Tee, age 25

3.13.2005 Many characteristics fit Einsteins traits; as I recall the photo where he sticks his tongue out. It is unusual, however, and much like a different correlation to the world around you; addressing a camera like it is all for the world to see and peak into your persona, unrelenting with the aspect that eternity will enshrine your uniqueness when life accordingly recognizes you for who you are. Very few INTPs will ever reach the stature of Einstein, as I have not myself, though briefly in a moment those intuitive glimpses of recognition make their stand. O_o

There comes a time in every persons life when they find out who they are. Perhaps certain moments of social nuances will be questioned every day of our lives, though we would be lieing to say INTPs are not unique, and therefore it is greatly esteemed to recognize when the traits do apply. Maybe ever since you were young, you always knew somethings seemed different, though perhaps not 'abnormal.' Perhaps people will try to correct your 'introversion,' only to remind you more how you detests the hu-man (alien emphasis applied) language, and to some degree extroversion. It is needless to explain the frustration that can be applied to this, though no more than our perceptivness would allow for us to cope. We can always understand where others emphasis fails, and where ours may seem to define our latent abilities; never allowing ourselves to be submissive to the faults of others. Though unfortunately, life doesn't allow for that assumption to be dictated. For that, all I have to say is, know what you know, for you may only know the better. School, for me is a pain in the *****(expletive null). Perhaps my introversion has driven me to define life before I've lived it?

PS: Don't play with a q-tips, you're liable to get injured. . .

-- Ryan, age 19

3.6.2005 I was always fascinated by Lincoln, even when people came along and mentioned other, more influential historical figures. I identify with Einstein's personality and Socrates' ideas.

One thing that I think is very peculiar about me (compared to other INTPs) is that although I'm especially good at math, I hate it. It comes natural, but I just don't like it for some odd reason. Then on the other hand I am fascinated by science, yet I cannot ever seem to wholly grasp the concepts except superficially. Maybe that comes from my need to know everything before I feel I know anything about something. Hehe, cheers to you if you even understood that sentance.

Anyway, I'm very very logical but my interests lie more in the open-ended subjects rather than the systematic. Like psychology, philosophy, spirituality, literature, etc. I like concepts more than details, but I also have a need to know and understand every little detail about it too. That may sound contradicting, but let me rephrase that. I have a strong curiosity for details, but find it too tedious to be enjoyable working them all out.

My personality is so layered that I couldn't describe it in 10 words or even 1000 words. I kinda stopped caring about my personality though I pay special attention to understanding every other aspect of myself. I have a different personality for every person I meet, and I think that they are all genuinely me somehow. It is not forced, nor does it come from a desire to fit in. It comes naturally and it has puzzled me for a long time. When I'm not with people or when I'm engaged in my thoughts however, which is as I prefer it most of the time, I can withdraw into myself for amazingly long periods of times. Sometimes I think I would lose all awareness of a world beyond my own mind if it weren't for the people who are constantly pulling me back to it.

Also, I'm horrible when it comes to time management or extended focus on something I consider unimportant. I tend to move on once I understand something, even if it's not finished. This usually means low homework grades and high test scores.

Also, I would like to know if any other INTPs notice a considerably slower thinking process, albeit moderately more thorough?

-- Alex, age 16
SEE RESPONSE FROM REESE

3.07.2005 Hi Alex,

Nancy, the IntrovertZCoach, asked me if I would like to respond to the questions that you submitted to her website. It is very cool to find a young person that is already aware of their MBTI type. Unfortunately, I didn't find out about this stuff until I was in my early 40's. You are off to a great start in understanding yourself and others.

Although I am not an INTP myself, I do have some answers to your questions. Like many INTP's, it is easy for you to get lost in your own mind. Not all INTP's are math/science nuts. The determining factor is whether or not you are deeply interested in the search for knowledge, not necessarily the application (as an INTJ) or whether you are more interested in how this knowledge impacts people (as an INFJ/INFP). Time management is often a problem for P function people. P's also have a tendency not to finish what they start. This is especially true for INTP's who are more interested in the knowledge than the application. The thinking process can be slow for many types often for different reasons.

An ISFP would have Thinking as their inferior function. Logic might be difficult for them because they use their other functions are stronger. For INTP's, the situation is a little different. Their dominant function is Introverted Thinking which gets it information on the outside world (of places and things) from their Extroverted Intuition.

The typical INTP needs to withdraw into their own self to resolve the constant and often contradictory flow of information from Extroverted Intuition. Since you are not subject to the same need for closure as an INFJ/INTJ, you are in no hurry. Because you are no hurry and you have a strong desire for knowledge, you continually take in more information, which compounds the time issue. I hope this answers some of your questions. I hope that you continue studying the MBTI so that you can learn about others as well as yourself. If you have any more questions, feel free to contact me by e-mail.

David DeVaughn
INFJ - DiSC type DC - Enneagram 1w/2wing

3.7.2005 Response to the above email: I relate to some of your comments, about being a different person with everyone you meet, and how it is not being fake, it is inexplicable. How you naturally open up to some people and not others or are funny with one person and not another, etc.

Also about how you learn. I find that I am fairly intelligent but seem be slower than many in picking some ideas. I think I need also to understand something from the ground up. In reading about my different aspects I think it may fall under Mercury sextile Saturn. Supposedly this aspect makes you very slow to learn certain subjects, but if you learn it step-by-step, you will never forget it. I found the following website to be very useful in investigating aspects.

3.4.2005 Very early on I already identified with Abraham Lincoln. Lately I have read some more on Einstein. And I certainly identify with a lot of his ideas. Socrates is also someone I identified with. Socrates is also someone I identified with. Knowing that I am an INTP has meant a lot. It gives me a lot of inspiration to deal with the sometimes all too overwhelming outside world. The knowledge of being an INTP and knowing waht that means in respect to others is very benficial. I also think it is a personality type which peaks later in life.

Knowing that I am an INTP has meant a lot. It gives me a lot of inspiration to deal with the sometimes all too overwhelming outside world. The knowledge of being an INTP and knowing what that means in respect to others is very benficial. I also think it is a personality type which peaks later in life. The INTP already carries the world on his shoulders at a young age. If he or she survives all the illogical and irrational actions of humanity they will be destined for greatness in later life.

-- Brendan, age 32

2.24.2005 Everything in the world is subject to analysis. The world can't simply be sensed; one must take the world in, qualify and quantify it, model it, and play with the model . . . The most bothersome thing about life is that not everything is like poetry, music, the outdoors, and Go games. There are so many things - and so many people - that one simply can maintain very little interest in and can't be connected with because they are inherently illogical or closed to much analysis. There are systems without real sense to them that especially annoy, all of which are human. One is easily annoyed with the illogical and firmly held statements that people chose to hold; take for example my 10th grade English teacher, who continues to assert that 0.55 does not round up to one. If his interest was in rounding down the median, which it was, the largest arguable decimal value which he could round down is 0.5, or the fractional value 1/2. Though this faulty policy never had an effect on my grade, the inconsistency bothered me for the entire year.

I have found outlets for my tendencies, which I have recently discovered are shared by a select few other individuals belonging to this personality classification, in writing, mathematics, photography, and musical composition. I am the most involved in the composition because it allows me to utilize so many of my skills, work on my own, and continuously systemize. Making film music is especially satisfying, as it allows me to convey the feelings of visuals through my composition. I can also maintain control of my performers when I compose, a situation I don't always have with people, because I have absolute and nearly unquestionable expertise in my own compositions.

People must be dealt with on a basis of individual merit. Occasionally, I meet people who I like immediately, but most individuals must be assesed carefully. I act like my company, so it is easy for me to mingle with anyone I wish to even if I don't always feel comfortable with large groups of people.

I have yet to learn how to cope.

Andrew Broz, email, http://uncertainoutcome.org/ [check out Andrew's music]

2.20.2005 Being an INTP... I find that pretty tough sometimes. Don't misunderstand me: I like it, but I find myself so different from the others. I tire of playing a role. With this person I'm somebody, with that one I'm almost the opposite...

In a way, it's pretty useful to be a jack-of-all-trade. I can see myself being fired tomorrow. Quick to learn, quick to adapt. I can react logically even if something totally new happens... but!!! I CAN'T have a speciality. I juste can't keep my mind on a single thing long enough. And that bothers me. And since qw're are so few INTPs, almost nothing's made for us. (as job) Or at least, I haven't seen anything myself... and since I don't ask anybody... Nope! it ain't easy being an INTP surrounded by a society mainly of Extraverts.

-- Mathieu, age 28

2.09.2005 I'm a teenager, and the clash of the emotions derived from physical changes with my personality is still leaving me grasping for a way to cope, I can only be patient and reason my way through it.

Wow, I always thought that the questions that were constantly running and evolving in my head were not normal ones to be asking. I identify with what people were saying....I have this inherent need to know everything, and to undertstand the universe, and yet I always know that I know an incredibly small amount, and who knows if its true or not. What I think is important is the search, and that is what has seperate me from people at high school, because they don't care. Sometimes I look at people and wonder how they can continue without pondering why it is all happning, from the mechanisms of the universe to the mechanisms of society. And I definately live my world in my head and consequently have trouble making friends. I also feel sufficated around too many people. I also fall 'in love' (I don't know what it is when you're teenager, although I try to think of a definition often) very easily, and it last for a while until my INTP reasoning comes in and analyses the entire thing, the person, me, the emotions, and I ruin it completely since I reason to the point that the relationship is no longer an emotional one, and it ends fairly quickly.

-- Jessica, age 17

Until today I didn't know about INTP. This explains a few things. Like why I'm cold and insensitive, hate going anywhere or doing anything that someone else planned. Why I take so many notes (like the ones in front of me now). I've collected over 15 tons of industrial machinery, even a fork lift to move it around. I'm having a hard time justifying this to others because I can't tell anyone why I have them. There are a few more pieces on my list and when I get them all I am going to build the machine that I have been testing in my mind for so long. And what do you know It just might change the way the world operates. I thought I might have lost it, but now I might have to think about that.

AdobeOne, age 34

1.09.2004 I definitely identify most with Einstein because there is so much INTUITION behind his ideas. They feel so flexible, so of the mind...

Today I sense space-time as a clever work of Origami; endlessly folded and endlessly unfolding. Such is my sense of myself. How do I cope with such vastness? I endlessly surf my ideas. I dislike the way the real world can encroach upon such processes. What is the real world anyway? Others attempts to juxtapose a false reality upon my own. To be INTP is to experience oneself endlessly evolving...

12.28.2004 Lincoln has always been my favorite historical figure. Relativity (Einstein) seems like common sense.

What's it like tio be an intp? Well, there's the constant question of WHY about everything, the feeling like home is on another planet, and the difficulty of dealing with people, even though their benefit, on a larger scale, is in mind. For me, learning that there's a whole big category of us (intp) was a disappointment.

12.16.2004 It's interesting that even the process of writing something in this box has been inherently intp ;-).

I started out to say that I disagree that intp folk don't like to take charge of other people rather than ideas. But I decided to reread the note to see _precisely_ what it said, and have now convinced myself that I do agree, at least partly. What I was going to say was that I don't mind being in charge of others but when I think about it, although I do enjoy being a leader I do not like the hierarchical in-charge bit and prefer to think of it as an ongoing collaboration towards the team's goals.

So I manage others in a very egalitarian style (although paradoxically, I like to be and usually am Right About Things in that intp way) which has a lot to do with an instinctive mistrust of hierarchies, or at least of the qualities on which organisations construct these hierarchies (usually completely irrational and unjust).

But as an intp senior executive I genuinely love managing and leading my people - especially my enfj sales staff with whom I have at times enjoyed moments of rapport which almost feel inappropriate, so intense is the connection and the joy of collaborating. (Fear of extraverted feeling comes in there. I want to tell my extraverted feelers how important they are to me, but I don't know how, even though I think they would like me to do so.) I think this whole process has got easier as I have begun in later life to master my inferior extraverted feeling function. Working with teams which comprise almost entirely extravert feelers (and quite a lot of Sensing) has been a real growth experience for me, and one which I look forward to continuing. Anyway just wanted to share.

-- Adrienne

12.15.2004 I was completely amazed to see these names on the list, for they were who I'd imagined would be INTPs. I feel every aspect of everyone of them.

I recently discovered myself, and began exploring reality in a whole new perspective...I look back at my life and I can see the things I did as a boy were so INTP-like naturally rebelling against everything I went against. Asking WHY all the time. Living in my mind like I was crazy....But remember my name. I will be remembered.

-- Tim Tran, age 20

11.30.2004 I identify with almost all the people above. Reading the descriptions of INTP for the first time was really an amazing thing. I could not get over how accuratly I was described down to strange quirks. I have trouble communicating with other people. I've as far as I know never met another INTP, wish I would. We need to start a support group or something.

email, age 18

11.18.2004 It feels pretty self-congradulatory to say i identify with them [any of these people], but yes, i do. particularly socrates.

ive often thought that abraham lincoln may be the only president we've had qualified for the position-largely because he didn't want the job.

What's it like being an INTP? i like being an INTP. i mean, it took me a while to realize that most of my elementary school teachers were incompetent and didn't know how to teach to different learning styles, and that i wasnt actually an idiot (im also ADD. i think most INTPs are).

i guess the trick is that once you realize that most people don't know jack and are just faking it, you have to learn to deal with them in a way that doesn't make them look or feel stupid. realize that no matter how smart you think you are, you still don't know that much, and the difference in perception that divides you from most people isn't big enough to have an ego about.

despite what we might like to think, intelligence is not the only (or even the most important) quality that makes someone an important part of society.

in short: forgive easily, and treat people with respect.

John Hearn

11.05.2004 I think I identify with Pascal the most, but Darwin and Einstein have never failed me :). Lets just say im a huge fan of Physical Science. Chemistry is Applied Physics, Physics is Applied Math, and Math is everything. So Chemistry is everything ^^

I have had a hard time being reserved up until I figured out that it is alright to be the way I am. Finding out that I am an INTP really helped me understand myself and my surroundings a lot more. The MBTI system in general has taught me how different people think different ways, explaining why people do the things they do.

-- Chris, age 20

10.30.2004 I I do not identify with anyone is`nt that what INTP is all about independens?

-- Suzanne, age 45

10.24.2004 I identify with Einstein, and Darwin. All looking at the big picture via many microscopic lenses. Every example must fit the model in order for the model to be correct. When the model breaks, come up with a new one.

I work as a Civil Engineer. The complexities of arranging all the elements of site plans for large developments defies description. Most overwhelming is the need to balance conflicting variables. Deadlines, budgets, and the overlapping regulations make the assembly of a set of plans a daunting endeavor indeed. Unfortunately, I don't have to think about it much anymore, and the task is similar to finishing drywall. One area at a time until it all works. I work for a small outfit, and my office is in the attic with no one to bother me. Ideal. Not even a telephone. I live in a cabin in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, with an hour commute each way. I listen to books on tape from the library while driving. In my spare time I read, study quantum physics and play golf. I'm quite happy.

-- Tom, age 38

10.23.2004 Jason, age 19 OH FOR ANOTHER INTP !!!I WISH I COULD MEET ANOTHER ONE . HOWEVER,SUCH IS LIFE!MY FRIENDS ALWAYS SAY THAT I ANALYZE A BIT TOO MUCH. ANYWAY,MY ANALYTICAL POWERS TELL ME THAT THE QUESTION ABOVE THIS (BOX???) THAT I AM WRITING IN IS A MISTAKE. HOWEVER,I THINK I HAVE INFP LEANINGS :-)

10.5.2004 I identify with Einstein and Darwin, although I am not nearly on their levels! I admire how they developed over-arching theories about the world, based on following the logic of a few facts.

I am a PhD biochemist, and I like it because the biology aspect makes the chemistry almost mind-numbingly complex. It is a great place for people who seek to try to find patterns and logic in systems so complex they seem irrational at first glance. I am pretty extreme on all aspects of INTP. I definitely need to understand the big picture. I also don't suffer illogical fools very easily, although I am trying to fit them into a general pattern of human survival. I do fall in love head-over-heels. I always wondered about that, because it seems out of character, but I recently read a description of INTP that includes that trait. It is very hard for me to find social partners because I tend to focus on flaws. I am working to improve that flaw in myself.

-- Jeff, age 40

9.24,2004 I see many of the characteristics in myself, including the wish and drive to redesign the world! However, my inclinations are more toward social and environmental redirection rather than anything involving concrete, stone, and steel. I have always been an analyst, and a philosopher, and though I am primarily a writer, I have spent many of my working years as a junior physicist and analyst.

-- Anonymous

9.24.2004 I have studied physics (and loved it!) I have always been fairly philosophical, wanted to understand the WHY of things. Got into trouble as a kid wanting to see the insides and the workings of things. Never cared too much about the fashions and frivolities of the other girls I knew. And NO ONE but my grandmother (who was an extrovert, but otherwise much like me) could really understand me. So I guess I have some traits like those named. It feels good to be in such company. I have never, to my knowledge, ever met another INTP, and I would like to

It's mainly being different from everyone I know. And that has caused many sadnesses and difficulties. But I love my adventure with the world around me! There is so much to see and explore and do -- largely through books and study, of course, and very much through the imagination. But I have been fortunate, so far, in finding occupations that give me the chance to use my sense of wonder in ways that satisfied me. And now that I have retired, I am finding community activities to let me pursue my 'world reshaping' tendencies -- in much more positive ways than Ayn Rand's architect!

-- Paula, age 59

Yes,I do identify with some of the people listed above.

I will be a paramedic soon and would be grateful to be able to correspond with another INTP paramedic...an introvert in an extrovert's field, it is a struggle.

I "think" and according to Myers-Briggs I come out INTP, but with INFP tendencies I'm sure. I still am learning to cope and accept my uniqueness. -- Sheri, age 24

7.17.2004 I'm a paramedic and I subscribe to 'The Economist', 'Scientific American', and the 'Journal of Personality and Social Psychology'. I love trying to understand the interconnectedness of everything.

6.6.2004 Don't know if I identify, exactly, but Abraham Lincoln is my all-time favorite POTUS. I'm borderline between F and T on the Myers-Briggs, but definately I, N and P. My boyfriend is an INFP, and we have so much in common it's like the Twilight Zone sometimes. I've noticed that my trouble getting along with people tends to come from my N traits and my P traits. Weird, no? -- Kathy, age 40

7.26.2004 The discovery of "INTP" was the first step in proving I was not an alien. :-) -- Charmainne