Edit: Oh, and
Mendacity:
Blackwater may be traumatized (that would be mostly by me :blushing
but there are too many INTJs out there doing the same for the behavior to be dismissed as idiosyncratic. Don't believe me? Check out the distribution of answers 7-10 in
this poll. So far, 12 out of 16 non-INXJs have answered that in their experience a majority of INTJs suffer from closed-minded certitude. That doesn't mean that there are no exceptions; what it means is that they are just that, exceptions.
I'm confused: You say that Blackwater is traumatized by you, but that he's correct about the INTJ behavior he's ranting about and was traumatized by... which you don't exhibit. How did you traumatize him then?
I never dismissed the behavior Blackwater spoke about as idiosyncratic. In fact, I never addressed that point at all, only took issue with his behavior. Please refrain from putting words in my mouth... or keyboard... as the case may be.
I'm not sure why you think I was arguing that we don't suffer from this closed-minded certitude. It may certainly be true that we do. I don't think I've known enough INTJs to make a judgment like that, and as I've stated, I'd be hesitant to do so in any case.
You seem to have confused my distaste for Blackwater's style of putting his point across, with distaste for his point itself.
I know INTJs can be difficult to deal with. But I think we're still deserving of respect and common courtesy. More importantly, I think we should be able to have discussions about being INTJ without being griefed for it. I, and I think most INTJs, welcome the kind of civilized and more-or-less friendly criticism or explanation of how others sometimes view us that MacGuffin provided. Contrary to popular belief, I think that most INTJs want to have friends and relationships and understanding why people get so frustrated with us will enable us to do that better.
MBTI is a good tool for understanding people who are different from ourselves, and even for understanding ourselves better. But I think it's easy to fall into the trap of lumping them all together in one group and forgetting that they are individuals. Also, someone's entire personality cannot be summed up by their Myers-Briggs type. No personality test is that comprehensive or accurate.
I don't mean to offend you (don't you love when people start sentences that way?), but
it seems like your anti-INTJ sympathies might be a perfect example of the closed-minded certitude you're talking about. You seem absolutely convinced that it is the case that we do this more than any other type, that the reasoning you've done based on your personal experiences is absolutely correct and pretty unwilling to consider any other possibilities. To the point that you're using an informal internet opinion poll of 16 people to back up your position. Again, I'm sorry if this offends you, but the opinions of 16 perfect strangers gathered in an unscientific manner just doesn't sway me.
However, if I've misunderstood your position, then I apologize and would welcome clarification.
Quite frankly, I get more of this closed-minded certitude from the ISTJs in my life than anywhere else. While it can be frustrating, I love them anyway
"So far, 12 out of 16 non-INXJs have answered that in their experience a majority of INTJs suffer from closed-minded certitude. That doesn't mean that there are no exceptions; what it means is that they are just that, exceptions."
Truly, what it means... in fact ALL it means, is that 12 out of 16 non-INXJs have answered that in their experience a majority of INTJs suffer from closed-minded certitude. Don't think that just because there are people who agree with you it makes you right, or that it makes your informal internet
opinion poll amount to solid empirical data.
You seem to be saying, "12 non-INXJ people think we do, so therefore we must."
Ok, the majority of the people who answered your survey agree with you, but there are several reasons that might be. Could it be that's why they took the time to answer? Do you think that 12 out of 16 is truly a representative number of the population? Is it safe to say that if the majority of people think something is true then it is true?
Actually, this is all a bit academic, I'm not saying you're wrong about it, just that your argument seems to be based more on opinion than fact. Frankly, I think that perhaps the point is really a matter of opinion and cannot be argued about using facts, which is ok too. But please keep in mind that while you are certainly entitled to your opinion, I am not obligated to share it.
I'm sorry if my reply to your post seems harsh. It is your argument I take issue with, not you yourself. If you can provide more than opinions and what appears to be a prejudice against INTJs I will happily reconsider my position. And I will not give you a patronizing pat on the head and tell you "yes dear, anything you say" just to avoid bruising your ego.
)
