Contributing to society

[MichaelH]

My spouse and I visited a local historical site today. It was fun. Their need for docents is glaring, and they seem like nice people. I was attracted by the idea briefly, but then thought it through...

I could be a really good docent for one or two trips through the house. After that, my social batteries would burn out. The lack of endurance and my bad hearing make me a grade-C candidate for docenthood.

What kind of contributions can INTJs make to their communities? How have others solved this problem?

[Kfbr]

Raise your hand if you had to google 'docent'

... *raise*

[Determind]

Raises hand. :( I think that the biggest contribution a INTJ can make to there community is probably giving "deep" advice, as anything else they're capable of is generally better done by other types. The obvious exception being applying there deep advice.

[MichaelH]

Thanks for the feedback so far! (I wasn't trying to be difficult with "docent"; my ESFP spouse actually taught me the term years ago.)

Let me try a different angle: what community organizations do other INTJs belong to? Historic groups? Star Trek clubs? Or, as an INTJ, should I not be trying to find a "community club" type I'll fit into?

[INTroJect]

Going above and beyond.

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[niffer]

Giving advice, explaining things to the masses (or the few that may need it), and giving spot evaluations/checking up on things to make sure they are going as planned, and helping to keep objectives in view.

[yondyr]

I would suggest many INTJ's unsuited to joining groups similarly to anarchists..grins, but here we are. And also as you say, MichaelH, unable to sustain the social contact for a lengthy period of time. It may be that not being a financial or social charge upon a community might be contribution enough. Apologies for trivialising, but I live in a largely socialist country.

[Paul V]

Well, I try to live by an oath I took a while ago: "I hereby swear to keep this world and mankind alive for as long as I can, taking advantage of every resource within my body, soul and mind. So help me Nature." So I try to involve myself in every activity that might further that goal of mine. With the recent news about the Arctic, I'm growing more worried with every passing year.

[Smacknrat]

I try to live by an oath I took a while ago

Is this an INTJ thing or more of a NJ (primary iN) thing?

The best thing is to just admit that the best way you function is with your head and then extrovert in your own way. I like Sci Fi, but I find the local Robotic group more productive. I also like aviation so I joined the Flying Club here (volunteer based and lots of stuff to learn).

I guess the general problem with the whole N thing is the day-dreaming change-the-world attitude. I wish it were easy. Older ENTP/Js seem to make very powerful and important connections/allies.

[Paul V]

I guess the general problem with the whole N thing is the day-dreaming change-the-world attitude.

I don't dream about changing the world. Merely halting its impending doom for as long as I can is enough for me. Also, I fail to see your point. Clarify moar, please?

Oh, and may I remind you of a good man that DID manage to change the world, and who said "I have a dream"?

[Smacknrat]

The N is a mode of thinking inherently meant to be focusing on possibilities rather than living in the world of senses. Infinite possibilites are available, or what ought or could be. Not only safer, but also enticing. The post was an observation and meant for discussion.

Is it bad or wrong? No. I don't think so. But it is a side effect. Many others don't see this and I was wondering if it was an INTJ and INFJ thing. It certainly seems so. I only mention it because I as well as several others on this board made mention of this type of thing (prommsing towards a better future based on an internal value system).

But it is also important to recognize the implication of such a value system. I trivialized the intuition, not on purpose, but obviously with reason. How would you measure a result of such a goal> Why have the goal?

As for a person that did manage to change the world... It is both true and false. Obviously it had effects here... But how about in China? Even "Tank Man" is almost a non-existent memory there. What do you think MLK stands for there? Further.. What makes you think that the one person wasn't simple an icon of the times? Just a representation of the general ethos that was permeated and inevitable?

[Sylvanus]

Thanks for the feedback so far! (I wasn't trying to be difficult with "docent"; my ESFP spouse actually taught me the term years ago.)

Let me try a different angle: what community organizations do other INTJs belong to? Historic groups? Star Trek clubs? Or, as an INTJ, should I not be trying to find a "community club" type I'll fit into?

Mensa?

[Todos]

The only club i belong to is the classical guitar society, but I don't consider that contributing to society. I have been thinking of volunteering to get more social contact (and also helping society) lately, so I'd be interested to hear how others contribute to society also.