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The topics we talk about

Oaky

Travelling mind
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
6,180
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
5w6
Instinctual Variant
sp/so
I used to have the ideology that sensors talk about different topics or have different interests than intuitives. I recently figured out it's not really the case. I realise that what people talk about are the same but talked about in a different way. Sensors would talk about the topic. Intuitives would talk about the theory of the topic.
For example:
Most people like to talk about love and relationships yet sensors would talk about the relationships and intuitives would talk about the idea of relationships.

Academics, politics, health, work, crime, social life, sex, drugs, relationships are all things that are talked about by almost everyone.

My point is that the topics don't differ from the sensors to the intuitives. Only the way it's talked about. Personally, I don't usually like to talk about the general topics that people talk about and I like to talk about some of the most bizarre things but would that be a difference between a sensor and intuitive?
 

Geoff

Lallygag Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2007
Messages
5,584
MBTI Type
INXP
I agree to an extent. i think there are some topics rarely seen in each group. I have a good ESTJ friend who will talk a lot about the hierarchy of social structure where she works and how to positively influence it, which I wouldnt normally raise.

Similarly, I can't get her very interested in almost anything theoretical in its general nature eg the meaning to the universe.

I would say our intelligence levels and all are about the same, just that she is interested in different things to me.
 

Oaky

Travelling mind
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
6,180
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
5w6
Instinctual Variant
sp/so
I would suppose it would depend on the individual and not generalised to the certain mbti type though.
 

ajblaise

Minister of Propagandhi
Joined
Aug 3, 2008
Messages
7,914
MBTI Type
INTP
Ns tend to be more interested in big-picture topics than Ss.

We can look at the N vs. S questions on the MBTI test itself to figure this out. For example, "You often contemplate about the complexity of life".
 

Poki

New member
Joined
Dec 4, 2008
Messages
10,436
MBTI Type
STP
Instinctual Variant
sx/so
Ns tend to be more interested in big-picture topics than Ss.

We can look at the N vs. S questions on the MBTI test itself to figure this out. For example, "You often contemplate about the complexity of life".

I agree. My S side says just live life, but when things get complicated my N takes over and says we gotta figure this stuff out because S is not cutting it.

Neither lose track of the big picture, but handle it in such different ways.
 

INTJ123

HAHHAHHAH!
Joined
Jun 20, 2009
Messages
777
MBTI Type
ESFP
I used to have the ideology that sensors talk about different topics or have different interests than intuitives. I recently figured out it's not really the case. I realise that what people talk about are the same but talked about in a different way. Sensors would talk about the topic. Intuitives would talk about the theory of the topic.
For example:
Most people like to talk about love and relationships yet sensors would talk about the relationships and intuitives would talk about the idea of relationships.

Academics, politics, health, work, crime, social life, sex, drugs, relationships are all things that are talked about by almost everyone.

My point is that the topics don't differ from the sensors to the intuitives. Only the way it's talked about. Personally, I don't usually like to talk about the general topics that people talk about and I like to talk about some of the most bizarre things but would that be a difference between a sensor and intuitive?

I heard there are 3 things people talk about long ago
1. People who talk about people
2. People who talk about current events (sports, music, ect.)
3. People who talk about ideas

as for talking about bizarre things.. it might be an intj/intuitive thing, and it probably falls under ideas.
 

MonkeyGrass

New member
Joined
Jun 13, 2009
Messages
877
MBTI Type
infj
Enneagram
7
I think I agree. In my conversations with sensors, they tend to glaze when I stray into abstract or metaphors or the broader picture and how the concept at hand applies. I always feel a little silly when that happens. :blush:
 

Quinlan

Intriguing....
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
3,004
MBTI Type
ISFP
Enneagram
9w1
I often contemplate about the complexity of life, but I don't usually try and comprehend it, I just appreciate it and am in awe of it.
 

Xenon

(blankpages)
Joined
Oct 5, 2009
Messages
832
MBTI Type
INTP
Enneagram
5
Mmm...yeah I think you're on to something. Going with the example of relationships, my mother (ISFJ, I'm pretty sure) is fascinated about the relationship problems of people she knows: what the neighbours were arguing about, who said what, how often this has been happening, who is more at fault, etc. She wouldn't be interested in any theories surrounding relationships though: common patterns in spousal relationships, the social forces that contribute to them, or psychological theories that explain why people often clash with each other. And I'm the opposite, so it's hard to get engaged sometimes when she talks to me.

She's got some very good qualities as a person, but we don't have great conversations.

So in the list above, "people who talk about ideas" would tend to be intuitors, while sensors pay more attention to specific people or events.
 

Charmed Justice

Nickle Iron Silicone
Joined
Jul 22, 2009
Messages
2,805
MBTI Type
INFJ
Interesting.
I think you're probably right. I'm a person who likes to talk theories, ideas, possibilities, hopes and dreams.

I don't mind small talk anymore; although, I used to hate it. I'm not talking to anyone about what Britney Spears did, or any other celebrity. I could care less about popular culture for the most part. I like discussing politics; but yea, notice that sensors, for the most part, like to get in and get out. I like to ride the waves of confusion and contradiction. I mean, there are some conversations that I've pretty much exhausted. Like, I'm not really interested in discussing religion anymore. I just like to listen to other people's ideas now--but their ideas better be well thought out or fantasmic. If I don't feel some depth or some passion, I probably don't want to hear it.
 

01011010

New member
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
3,916
MBTI Type
INxJ
1. People who talk about people
2. People who talk about current events (sports, music, ect.)
3. People who talk about ideas

I discuss all of these topics, but my favorite conversations revolve around ideas.
 

mockingbird

New member
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
249
MBTI Type
INFP
Enneagram
9w1
I prefer to talk about ideas and theories, but I like to make those ideas relevant by discussing how those ideas and theories relate to actual people and reality in general.

I'm also the least likely to gossip than just about anyone I know. Unless it's about something truly bizzare that someone did, it just bores me.
 

ayoitsStepho

Twerking & Lurking
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
4,838
MBTI Type
ISFP
Enneagram
4w3
Instinctual Variant
so/sx
i would love to talk about ideas and theories...i just feel stupid when i try to. I admire that N's can think beyond whats right here. I always wish i could speak and think like that. it seems so artistic to me :wubbie:
 

Ruthie

New member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
436
MBTI Type
?
Put me in the "they talk about the same things but in different ways" camp. I hate focusing on details, get really bored talking about day-to-day life, and I love talking about politics, society, culture, ideology, etc... BUT, within that, my scope is narrow and real.

Say I'm having a political conversation with one of my N friends... I might be thinking about demographics or messaging or changing coalitions. Maybe I reference some kind of historical precedent. My N friend, on the other hand, is more likely to get fed up with all the back and forth and might want to put it in a grander (and more abstract) context. They might wonder if the entire concept of a nation-state is obsolete, if capitalism or socialism is an effective economic system, etc...
 
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