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The Internet and Introverts

The Unknown Essence

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Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
33
MBTI Type
INTP
Enneagram
5w4
In many ways I think the internet & introverts like me are a perfect match. Whether on a forum like this or on sites such as Youtube, I can express myself without having to phsycally interact with people, thus avoiding the pleasantries and expected norms that I hate. As an INTP, the detachment that the internet gives appeals to me. I feel more free.

I was just wondering what your "relationship" with the internet is like?
 
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Natrushka

Pareo cattus
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
1,213
MBTI Type
INTJ
I was just wondering what your "relationship" with the internet is like?

It's a source of information, entertainment and distraction. And it can be one 24/7.

I like that online I don't have to pretend so much. I can hit 'cancel' or the back button and I can turn off the computer whenever I choose. I feel like I can be myself more online than when I am surrounded by people. You know how you meet someone IRL that you knew online first and they're nothing like the 'persona' you've seen online? I'm exactly the same.

Make of that what you will :blush:
 

Athenian200

Protocol Droid
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
8,828
MBTI Type
INFJ
Enneagram
4w5
I definitely feel like I prefer interaction via Internet. It isn't because of disliking norms or such, but just the ease of interaction. Speaking of which:



[Fe]Welcome to MBTI Central, The Unknown Essence.[/Fe]

I had to do that. Hopefully it didn't stress you out too much.
 

Kyrielle

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Apr 26, 2007
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1,294
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INFJ
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4w5
It's a source of information, entertainment and distraction. And it can be one 24/7.

I like that online I don't have to pretend so much. I can hit 'cancel' or the back button and I can turn off the computer whenever I choose. I feel like I can be myself more online than when I am surrounded by people. You know how you meet someone IRL that you knew online first and they're nothing like the 'persona' you've seen online? I'm exactly the same.

Make of that what you will :blush:

I feel the same way. Instead of using the internet as a tool for being able to do whatever I want since I'm completely anonymous, I do the opposite. Because I'm anonymous to some degree, I have more freedom to express precisely how I think and feel. And IRL I'm the same person you see online. I don't know why, I just sat here and tried to think of anyway I'm different, but the results were that I'm the same even down to putting my foot in my mouth. (You'd think that wouldn't happen on the internet what with the ability to proofread, but no! It's still just as bad!)

The only thing I wish I could have from the internet...is the ability to be able to think as carefully through a response as I do on forums, but not feel any outside pressure to respond quickly merely because I'm in the presence of someone else. That...and the ability to travel through space in an instant.

But as for the OP, I like physically interacting with people. It's one of the BIG things I miss when communicating with others. Maybe the perfect scenario for me, though, would be to sit next to someone and we both have computers and we both just sort of type things to each other instead of say things to each other...but we get the benefit of physically being near the other person and being able to hear their reaction and comments...and there wouldn't be any restriction on talking and typing. If we wanted to talk, we would talk...and if we got tired of talking, we'd type stuff instead. (That's what I miss IRL. The ability to keep a conversation going when I've gotten tired of speaking, and the ability to alt-tab between responses so I don't get bored of staring at the other person.)

/ramble
 

alexkreuz

New member
Joined
Sep 4, 2007
Messages
35
MBTI Type
INTP
On the internet I can receive information without bring required to respond back ..
 

sassafrassquatch

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Jul 20, 2007
Messages
961
hahaimusingtheinternetiw6.jpg
 

"?"

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Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
1,167
MBTI Type
TiSe
Unless used productively and in moderation, the internet simply becomes another vice for zoning out and can become problematic like television or video games, or worse like a drug. Anyone (and I have witnessed many from the INTPC) who admits that their real life is falling to the wayside, but continues to post, has a problem.
 

Razorcut

New member
Joined
Sep 20, 2007
Messages
18
MBTI Type
INTJ
When interacting with someone on the Internet I find it difficult to know what to say.
I am not as “tuned in” when I cannot see the other person in a conversation.
There is at times confusion as to how personal I should be.
When it comes to gathering information and exploring it is wonderful for me, as
I do not wish to interact with anyone during such times.
 

MadamI'madaM

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Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
58
MBTI Type
1337
I think the internet can become a crutch for introverts.

It gives the illusion that you're actually socializing with people, when the raw form our thoughts take in text is a small fraction of RL communication

It certainly has its virtues though
 

sassafrassquatch

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Jul 20, 2007
Messages
961
Unless used productively and in moderation, the internet simply becomes another vice for zoning out and can become problematic like television or video games, or worse like a drug. Anyone (and I have witnessed many from the INTPC) who admits that their real life is falling to the wayside, but continues to post, has a problem.

What's wrong with tuning out? Not everyone likes to participate in daily life. If I didn't have the internet I would be reading books every moment I would have spent browsing, equally tuned out.

I think the internet can become a crutch for introverts.

It gives the illusion that you're actually socializing with people, when the raw form our thoughts take in text is a small fraction of RL communication

It certainly has its virtues though

Why does there have to be a right way to socialize and communicate? Can't we all just do whatever however we like and if it becomes disruptive we can change it, it not everything is fine. This whole "People are deviating from the prescribed methods of social interaction, o noes!" is crap.
 

Athenian200

Protocol Droid
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Jul 1, 2007
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8,828
MBTI Type
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4w5
What's wrong with tuning out? Not everyone likes to participate in daily life. If I didn't have the internet I would be reading books every moment I would have spent browsing, equally tuned out.



Why does there have to be a right way to socialize and communicate? Can't we all just do whatever however we like and if it becomes disruptive we can change it, it not everything is fine. This whole "People are deviating from the prescribed methods of social interaction, o noes!" is crap.

I agree with you, sassafrassquatch. I don't think people should feel pressure to participate when they feel uncomfortable doing so. I've gone through points where I didn't want to deal with people at all because I had so much to deal with internally. If I had been made to, I think that would have been worse for me and everyone who would have had to be around me.
 
G

GirlAmerica

Guest
I think the most intriguing thing I have found about the internet...is being able to explore and openly communicate with other introverts.
Being SO introverted, a lot of really awesome people I let pass by because I am not one to get involved in what is so overstimulating to me.
I feel extremely blessed in that way. I really, really like introverts!
We can all sit around and 'peer' at one another out of the corners of our eyes here, no pressure!! ha
 

meanlittlechimp

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Joined
Apr 29, 2007
Messages
338
MBTI Type
ENTP
Interesting, I find the opposite for myself. When I talk to people in person, I'm taking in all this information on body language, tone and other things I can't see online. So I'm less sure of myself in assessing what they really mean or their true intention while reading their thoughts opposed to hearing it.

I do find introverts to be amazingly outgoing, confrontational and into sharing personal information. I wish the introverts in my life would speak their mind more, I think they and me would both benefit.
 

MadamI'madaM

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Aug 24, 2007
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58
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1337
Why does there have to be a right way to socialize and communicate? Can't we all just do whatever however we like and if it becomes disruptive we can change it, it not everything is fine. This whole "People are deviating from the prescribed methods of social interaction, o noes!" is crap.

I was thinking more along the lines of complete/incomplete than right/wrong, but I see your point.
 

artie

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Joined
Aug 25, 2007
Messages
18
MBTI Type
infj
Introvert drained by addictive site

I think i find internet interaction even more draining than personal*, but I haven't done much until finding this strangely addictive (& fascinating) site a few weeks ago, it may be teething problems.

I think because of the greater ambiguity (no facial expressions, tone of voice, body language) I worry about offending people (maybe an F thing more than an I) and probably do. and delay in reply gives me plenty of time to worry about how they've taken something and what they'll say, if anything.

Also the anonymity, I keep exposing things about myself I never would(in the hope of helping someone), and keep feeling naked for doing it in front of the world.

Saying something stupid seems more serious, presumably because it's permanent in writing and public.

But having unlimited time to think about what to say before saying is surely a strong "I" thing.

The thrill of finding others with a narrow interest, especially knowledgable ones, would be equally E & I.


* introverts by definition get drained by sustained socialising,(there might be someone who doesn't know that).
 
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The Ü™

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May 26, 2007
Messages
11,910
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
5w6
Instinctual Variant
sp/sx
Most of the Internet population seems to be made up of Introverts and Intuitives, not just on MBTI sites, but on most other sites. The Internet appeals to the Introvert because, naturally, it allows a person to rehearse what he's about to say. The Intuitive would find the Internet as a fast and easy (although often deceiving) way to find intellectual information, because the Intuitive prefers understanding things intellectually rather than experientially.

I suspect that the Sensors are the types who pop in maybe once or twice a week, perhaps because they're not busy. Sensors tend to be the ones out and about doing and experiencing things. In short, Sensors are said to have lives. Even if Introverted, they tend to be more directly involved in the world.
 

Urchin

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Sep 12, 2007
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139
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INTP
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5w6
I like the internet more than real-life socialization because it's turn-based. Real-time interaction requires you to constantly think of things to do and say. In turn-based interaction, if you have nothing to say, you just say nothing, and it doesn't offend anyone.

"'Don't you hate that?'
'What?'
'Uncomfortable silences. Why do we feel it's necessary to yak about bullshit in order to be comfortable?'
'I don't know. That's a good question.'
'That's when you know you've found somebody special. When you can just shut the fuck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence.'" --Pulp Fiction
 

Natrushka

Pareo cattus
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
1,213
MBTI Type
INTJ
Most of the Internet population seems to be made up of Introverts and Intuitives, not just on MBTI sites, but on most other sites.

Exceptions to this that I have seen are forums / sites that focus on sports. We ran a MB thread on a barrel racing forum and the number of members who tested ESxx was astounding at first - until you thought about it.
 

"?"

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May 2, 2007
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TiSe
I agree with you, sassafrassquatch. I don't think people should feel pressure to participate when they feel uncomfortable doing so. I've gone through points where I didn't want to deal with people at all because I had so much to deal with internally. If I had been made to, I think that would have been worse for me and everyone who would have had to be around me.
There is a difference in participating and tuning out life, in the name of escapism. The internet can be no different than drugs or alcohol if you do not maintain some balance.
 

"?"

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May 2, 2007
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1,167
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TiSe
What's wrong with tuning out? Not everyone likes to participate in daily life. If I didn't have the internet I would be reading books every moment I would have spent browsing, equally tuned out.
Not tuning out, escaping from real life situations and allowing those situations to culminate. If you are not participating in daily life, then someone is taking care of you right now.
 
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