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[NT] NTs and activism

groovejet02

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Any NTs here in the activism field?

I'm curious because activism has been stereotypically linked to Feelers (or at least that's the general vibe I seem to get). Do you think NTs approach activism in a different way than Feelers?

As for me, I'm a hardcore INTP (even though I have INFP-ish tendencies/moments).

This is how I personally approach activism:

1. I'm not into sentimentality. To me, heartwarming or shocking rhetoric only goes so far. I throw myself in writing and academic initiatives in order to educate the public.

2. I'm a quarter gut instinct/emotions and three quarter hard nosed theory. There are always strong emotions that underlie my actions, but not without a sense of logical restrain and a very calculated, very logical way of doing things. I read up a lot on feminism, socialism, etc. I have to know everything and deconstruct every angle. As a consequence, it takes me a long time to come to a conclusion on an issue. On the plus side, when I believe in a cause, I am thoroughly convinced because I have analyzed almost every side.

3. I am solitary and independent in my work. I do connect with organizations but my tasks are always ones that entail me doing it alone (such as writing). I connect with other activists only when I need to, and mostly by e-mail.

Basically, as an NT, I approach activism clinically, just like everything else in my life.

My INTJ best friend is like me too, and another INTJ I know is also passionate about social issues --- so the notion that Thinkers are rarely activists is an unfounded one, eh?

(As I type this I am reminded of a series of correspondence by Einstein throughout his life, which touched on the politics and social issues around him. I could detect in those letters the same huge amount of passion which he had for academia)
 

Priam

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I would say you're just as likely to find NTs as NFs in the activism field. Indeed, I've been working my entire post-college life (ok so that's only 4 years) in social justice. For me the primary difference in impulse between the two archetypes are of driving intent:

An NT hears about a social injustice and thinks "well that's really dumb". An NF hears about the same injustice and thinks "that's really wrong". Neither one is more or less motivating/more or less worthy, as they both hit a core driver for each type. My first impulse, however, is less attached to direct service and more towards systemic problems. I tend to need little or no contact with those theoretically being helped by my actions, whereas I vitally need to see that programs are being put into place that will minimize/eliminate the injustice I'm reacting against.

Does that make any sense at all?
 

ajblaise

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NF activism - PETA, Red Cross, Peace Corps, environment conservation
NT activism - Net Neutrality, Political Think Tanks (mostly left-wing), free speech
 

Costrin

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NF activism - PETA, Red Cross, Peace Corps, environment conservation
NT activism - Net Neutrality, Political Think Tanks (mostly left-wing), free speech

Heh. How true for me.

Also add: education stuffs, such as OLPC.
 

Priam

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NF activism - PETA, Red Cross, Peace Corps, environment conservation
NT activism - Net Neutrality, Political Think Tanks (mostly left-wing), free speech

I dunno how much I buy that list. I really feel like NTs could sign on to any "cause" organization if persuaded by its sensibility. PETA is probably a stretch, but would the work of the local SCPA? I actually know several NTs who are current Peace Corps members. The Red Cross? Serves a vital function in immediate disaster relief (I was in fact frustrated by not being called up after Katrina). Environmental conservation is clearly something I could be persuaded to do.

It's about whether or not the org's objectives make sense. A non-profit dedicated to preserving the environment because "trees are pretty" isn't likely to get my attention, but one that has a multi-point approach to preserving a viable ecosystem is. If it sometimes condemns a species of panda to extinction, I would feel sad but move on were I persuaded if its viability.
 

ajblaise

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I dunno how much I buy that list. I really feel like NTs could sign on to any "cause" organization if persuaded by its sensibility. PETA is probably a stretch, but would the work of the local SCPA? I actually know several NTs who are current Peace Corps members. The Red Cross? Serves a vital function in immediate disaster relief (I was in fact frustrated by not being called up after Katrina). Environmental conservation is clearly something I could be persuaded to do.

It's about whether or not the org's objectives make sense. A non-profit dedicated to preserving the environment because "trees are pretty" isn't likely to get my attention, but one that has a multi-point approach to preserving a viable ecosystem is. If it sometimes condemns a species of panda to extinction, I would feel sad but move on were I persuaded if its viability.

Sure. You'll find NTs in all of those causes, probably environmental conservation most commonly. I was just talking about tendencies. For every NT strapping themselves to a tree, you'll find 10 NFs who have been chained to the tree for days.
 

entropie

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I dont know activism, but I know expressionism. I dont know if they are the same.

I like expressionism when it comes to art, but to live it is not always easy like art. The idea though is adoreable and would be never fought by me. I would be nevertheless have a problem to see a person becoming insane.
 

nozflubber

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LOL, activism....

The only NTs that would bother would be the ones that don't understand economics. Note: things ONLY change due to economics, NOTHING else. Handing out a crafty, colorful pamphlet on campus or at work isn't doing a damned thing.

People who stand on a sidewalk handing out wads of Papyrus aren't changing the world. Sorry, you're not, and there's a reason only feelers do that bullshit: self-sustaining feel good measures. I hope you're a worthy enough NT to see that.... I would offer direct, pragmatic suggestions to you and your cause, but they are examples of eco-terrorism and are considered felonies. Even in that case, you are pitting your own self against an endless horde of people who want jobs that will counter your every effort. More pointlessness.

You want to change things? Invent, write, research.... that's how true NTs are Activist
 

entropie

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LOL, activism....

The only NTs that would bother would be the ones that don't understand economics. Note: things ONLY change due to economics, NOTHING else. Handing out a crafty, colorful pamphlet on campus or at work isn't doing a damned thing.

People do me a favour and dont talk for the NTs. Everyone can talk for their own
 

nozflubber

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I'm not talking for them or anyone except myself, I'm talking DOWN to them because they are activist retards. There's a difference :p Good NTs know that market forces trump everything

It's like voting... I can't believe there's NTs out there that vote. What the hell is wrong with you?
 

tinkerbell

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I'm not a tree hugger or animal petter, but I've do believe in socalisim (please note that that doesn't equate to communisim).

I've spent most of my working life championing possitive change for people and helping people making informed decisions.... first as a nurse and there after as a market researcher (ok the latter is mainly to help companies make more money by doing the right thing).
 

Tallulah

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LOL, activism....

The only NTs that would bother would be the ones that don't understand economics. Note: things ONLY change due to economics, NOTHING else. Handing out a crafty, colorful pamphlet on campus or at work isn't doing a damned thing.

People who stand on a sidewalk handing out wads of Papyrus aren't changing the world. Sorry, you're not, and there's a reason only feelers do that bullshit: self-sustaining feel good measures. I hope you're a worthy enough NT to see that.... I would offer direct, pragmatic suggestions to you and your cause, but they are examples of eco-terrorism and are considered felonies. Even in that case, you are pitting your own self against an endless horde of people who want jobs that will counter your every effort. More pointlessness.

You want to change things? Invent, write, research.... that's how true NTs are Activist

I agree, most activism as we know it is annoying and pointless. All organized protests do is block traffic, irritate people (even those that might agree with you), and make people associate you with that time they couldn't get to work b/c of the hoo-hah. The real way to influence people is to have conversations with people you actually know, after you've won their respect. And then you have to respect their right to disagree.

I have never, ever changed my mind on a subject because of a protest or a pamphlet or a mass email. EVER.
 

jenocyde

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I'm definitely an activist, but not the kind who would ever hand out a pamphlet on the street, which I find humiliating. But I am very active within my political party, trying to get more people in my party elected in their local areas. Start from the ground up... I definitely agree that change can only come through economics, and economic freedoms only come from politics.
 
G

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My drive to take charge usually manifests itself as me taking a lead position on committees and in organizations that deal with community and humanitarian issues, and my cerebral interest in psychology helps with connecting to others and using them effectively to accomplish our goals.

But I really shine when Fi gets thrown on top of that--when I just feel that something must be done for the community.

This in particular definitely also describes me when it comes to humanitarian missions, communal good, and activism.
 

EmilyEccentric

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I'm not much of an activist. The only time I will is if it gives me community service hours.
 

Orangey

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I'm an activist insofar as I am concerned with theory surrounding issues of social injustice. Ground level stuff is uninteresting (and ineffective) in my opinion (I wouldn't be caught dead at a soup kitchen or feminist rally). For instance, my last semester of undergrad I wrote a paper explaining why I thought that subjectivity-building art (art that is political, grounded in ideas of agency and identity) was not ultimately going to have a significant positive effect on the socio-political environment.

And while I tend to disagree somewhat with Nozflubber's economic reductionism, on some level political economy does seem to produce the most logical theories to explain (and offer solutions to) social and economic inequality.
 

ajblaise

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I agree, most activism as we know it is annoying and pointless. All organized protests do is block traffic, irritate people (even those that might agree with you), and make people associate you with that time they couldn't get to work b/c of the hoo-hah. The real way to influence people is to have conversations with people you actually know, after you've won their respect. And then you have to respect their right to disagree.

I have never, ever changed my mind on a subject because of a protest or a pamphlet or a mass email. EVER.

Protests and PR campaigns can be annoying, probably especially to INTP types.

But civil rights activism, feminist activism, environmental activism.... have achieved a lot. Without political movements, nothing changes.

Without activism, we might all still be working as Feudal Age peasants.
 
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Protests and PR campaigns can be annoying, probably especially to INTP types.

But civil rights activism, feminist activism, environmental activism.... have achieved a lot. Without political movements, nothing changes.

Without activism, we might all still be working as Feudal Age peasants.

Notice how you're only assigning the term "activism" to movements you agree with?
 

ajblaise

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Notice how you're only assigning the term "activism" to movements you agree with?

Movements I'm against deserve the label of "activism" too. It's just that the larger movements that have won political and public support over the years, tend to be liberal/progressive movements that I see as positive.
 

SilentStream

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I'm not an activist in the true sense of the word at the moment, but I'm about to start studying environmental sustainability at university and I feel quite strongly about the importance of conservation and the wise use of natural resources. I think I will probably end up being involved in activist causes when I come to realise that it is impossible to change the system from within, at a governmental level, because of the inherent greed and ignorance of our society.

On the other hand I think extreme emotional activists do much to give activism a bad name. Like others have said, the type of activism that works is the measured, practical and rational arguments we can give for change.
 
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