Do you feel like it's 'you vs. the world'?

[Jgib5328]

As I've gotten older, I have developed this, 'me vs. the world' dichotomy. I feel as though it is me going against the forces of nature. The world is my obstacle that I have to overcome. I feel that if I triumph over nature, I will reach my highest goals in life. I also feel like there is mutual enmity shared between the me and the world. I feel the desire to hate it, for my own reasons and have decided to separate myself from it.

Do any of you share a similar mentality?

[Motor Jax]

sometimes

but then i just go for a smoke, chill, and then i am good

[DeadSpace]

sometimes

but then i just go for a smoke, chill, and then i am good

lol, similiar self prescribed therapy...

and always feel it's me against the world, or rather against the perceptions of most of the people who inhabit it.

[Aoiluna]

I dont feel like Im battling the forces of nature as much as I am battling the people around me. I do understand what you mean about separating yourself from the world, though.

[lordrrr]

I have extreme paranoia and totally have this mindset at times.

[Jgib5328]

I have extreme paranoia and totally have this mindset at times.

It's not about paranoia, it's about a battle of wills between you and the world. I don't literally think random person x is out to get me or the world is out to get me, I just think that there is a metaphysical conflict between me and the world.

[MichaelH]

There's a world full of stupid, emotionally-driven people out there. You don't have to mold yourself the same way or tolerate their stupidity. There's nothing wrong with you. There IS something wrong with them.

At the same time, though, realize you can't change them. (This is what causes the "me vs. the world" sensation, I think. As INTJs we will always be swimming upstream compared to the sheeple.) The best approach is to find fellow rationals to associate with, and/or use people to your advantage.

Personally, I'm starting to realize the important of emotional intelligence, and will have to learn it to make it work for me in the moderate future. We can't change the masses, but we can learn enough about them to manipulate them to better purpose.

I'm both proud and a little creeped out that I just typed that.

[Jgib5328]

There's a world full of stupid, emotionally-driven people out there. You don't have to mold yourself the same way or tolerate their stupidity. There's nothing wrong with you. There IS something wrong with them.

At the same time, though, realize you can't change them. (This is what causes the "me vs. the world" sensation, I think. As INTJs we will always be swimming upstream compared to the sheeple.) The best approach is to find fellow rationals to associate with, and/or use people to your advantage.

Personally, I'm starting to realize the important of emotional intelligence, and will have to learn it to make it work for me in the moderate future. We can't change the masses, but we can learn enough about them to manipulate them to better purpose.

I'm both proud and a little creeped out that I just typed that.

For some reason I was blessed with a really high EQ, so I've always been able to read deeply into people and sense their emotions. That's how I function successfully in a social context. I read into the person to determine how I should act around them, what I should say etc. An INTJ w/ a high EQ is deadly. I try not to manipulate unless I need to, to proceed further with a plan.

[Haphazard]

The INTJ sees life as a problem to be solved.

I know it's from a satirical site, but this particular satirical remark I've found more accurate than most descriptions of the INTJ.

Yes I get that feeling. Most of the time my life is a battle to manipulate what's already here to get away from what's already here. That sounds a lot more counterproductive than it actually is.

[Lucan]

I often have that feeling being the only INTJ where I work. I get irritated when people don't see things the way I do. When it gets a bit much I remind myself that I am looking for logic where there isn't any as there really are far too many emotional people there and I take a break . A little me time and I feel better.

[meanlittlechimp]

I also feel like there is mutual enmity shared between the me and the world. I feel the desire to hate it, for my own reasons and have decided to separate myself from it. I feel the desire to hate it, for my own reasons and have decided to separate myself from it.


I think you're projecting. The world doesn't care about you, any enmity you think is directed to you by the "world" or by "nature" is in your head, but I think your rational mind knows that - but can't help feeling it anyways.

Separating yourself from the world, can be one way to deal with this feeling I suppose; but I don't think it's ideal. Therapy, anti-depressants are another. A girlfriend, meaningful work/hobbies that interests you, could be other things worth considering.

I can't say I've ever experienced what you're saying. For me it's like getting mad at a tree or a rock for existing. If I'm having a bad day or something negative befalls me; I see it as a series of actions that have occurred randomly without some sinister force driving it (with intention). For me the intention, would have to be required for me to "hate" something. I couldn't get mad at an avalanche, unless I though the boulders were out trying to get me. I guess if I believed in a divine being, I could get angry at the world; since intention would then exist in my framework.

[Jgib5328]

I can't say I've ever experienced what you're saying. For me it's like getting mad at a tree or a rock for existing. If I'm having a bad day or something negative befalls me; I see it as a series of actions that have occurred randomly without some sinister force driving it (with intention). For me the intention, would have to be required for me to "hate" something. I couldn't get mad at an avalanche, unless I though the boulders were out trying to get me.

I think you're projecting. The world doesn't care about you, any enmity you think is directed to you by the "world" or by "nature" is in your head, but I think you rational mind knows that - but can't help feeling it anyways.

Separating yourself from the world, can be one way to deal with this feeling I suppose; but I don't think it's ideal. Therapy, anti-depressants are another. A girlfriend, meaningful work/hobbies that interests you, could be other things worth considering.

I wouldn't expect an extrovert to feel the same way as me. It's more about me hating the world and being opposed to it, than me consciously believing the world is out to get me. I chose to stand against the world, it didn't choose to stand against me.

[meanlittlechimp]

I think it's an interesting discussion nonetheless. It's interesting to see other INTJs with similar experiences. I'm starting to wonder if this is common for INTJs in particular relative to others introverts (or even extroverts).

I don't think it's an extrovert thing necessarily. I've met unhealthy ESFPs and ENFPs, that have this irrational the world is out to get them thing, but I don't think it's the same thing you're describing exactly.

[Haphazard]

I think it's an interesting discussion nonetheless. It's interesting to see other INTJs with similar experiences. I'm starting to wonder if this is common for INTJs in particular relative to others introverts (or even extroverts).

I don't think it's an extrovert thing necessarily. I've met unhealthy ESFPs and ENFPs, that have this irrational the world is out to get them thing, but I don't think it's the same thing you're describing exactly.

You don't have to believe that the system's out to get you to feel disaffected by it.

NT is likely to fathom other ways that the world 'could work' without the system being in place already. J will assure them that they're right, and I makes the inability or unwillingness to create a cohesive enough group to change things for good.

It sounds like INTJs are screwed. :rolleyes:

[Jgib5328]

I think it's an interesting discussion nonetheless. It's interesting to see other INTJs with similar experiences. I'm starting to wonder if this is common for INTJs in particular relative to others introverts (or even extroverts).

I don't think it's an extrovert thing necessarily. I've met unhealthy ESFPs and ENFPs, that have this irrational the world is out to get them thing, but I don't think it's the same thing you're describing exactly.

I think INT's experience it the most. Because we are so rare, we feel opposed to the rest of the world because we are so different from everyone else. I always feel a lot different from the people who surround me.

We aren't paranoid and believe that everyone in the world is out to get us. Our opposition to the world stems from our idiosyncrasies.

[Uytuun]

Not really, I often feel disconnected from the world (INTJ wonderment), but I'm also very intrigued by it. All those ants. :p

[Jgib5328]

Not really, I often feel disconnected from the world (INTJ wonderment), but I'm also very intrigued by it. All those ants. :p

Sometimes it's interesting to study them, I'll admit that, I still hold a general distaste though.

[rwyatt365]

Once, when I was younger, I indeed thought that it was me against the world (or more correctly, "Why is the world against me?"). But then I realized that "the world" is just a series of causes and effects and doesn't "give a damn" about me, or anyone else - it just "is".

I've become less embittered as a result.

[Llen]

There's a world full of stupid, emotionally-driven people out there. You don't have to mold yourself the same way or tolerate their stupidity. There's nothing wrong with you. There IS something wrong with them.

At the same time, though, realize you can't change them. (This is what causes the "me vs. the world" sensation, I think. As INTJs we will always be swimming upstream compared to the sheeple.) The best approach is to find fellow rationals to associate with, and/or use people to your advantage.

Personally, I'm starting to realize the important of emotional intelligence, and will have to learn it to make it work for me in the moderate future. We can't change the masses, but we can learn enough about them to manipulate them to better purpose.

I'm both proud and a little creeped out that I just typed that.

I concur...and yet I am not disturbed by such sentiments.

[Nausved]

Um... no, I don't feel like that at all.

Me and the world are great buddies, actually. The world keeps me fed and entertained, while requiring very little in return. Really, what more could I ask for?

Sure, the world offers occasional challenges, but I actually happen to like puzzles. It's icing on the cake.

I just don't understand the aggression that so many people harbor. I especially don't understand it from NT types. :huh:

[DeadSpace]

I just don't understand the aggression that so many people harbor. I especially don't understand it from NT types. :huh:

Not aggression, at least not in my view point. People have a perception of what's normal. ~~> How someone should act, i like mangling those perceptions, those stereotypes. Mayhap changing them, so that they no longer have a narrow world view.

[searcheagle]

For me, I feel like I am a Square Peg trying to fit into a round hole. The reasons for this are broader the just the INTJ personality.

The biggest difference was Home Schooled through High School, which made my college application process more interesting and and difficult. I had to take extra step to prove that my education was "authentic".

Socially, it's hard fit in because people expect me to react a certain way and I don't. They wonder, what's wrong with you. To combat that, I try to figure out what I'm expected to do and do that, if it is an event that matters. That way I do not look like an alien.

[Nausved]

Not aggression, at least not in my view point. People have a perception of what's normal. ~~> How someone should act, i like mangling those perceptions, those stereotypes. Mayhap changing them, so that they no longer have a narrow world view.

Ah, then I think we agree in this regard. I like to buck stereotypes, too. It doesn't make me feel like I'm against the world, though. It just feels like I'm having fun.

[AgentofGaming]

I don't think it's wrong to think it's me vs world.
Consider people who make up the world, after all everybody is competing; be it in the workforce, for resources, for survival, and others.
Competition makes them your opponent.

As for fighting the way things work, sometimes have to go against my own nature to get things done. I can be naturally passive, or apathetic at times which hinders action.

[Haphazard]

I'm an odd breed of misanthrope.

In theory, I think people are wonderful and love them all and support all of their rights and whatever.

And then I meet someone spectacularly stupid, and I think, "The fact that this person is alive disproves the theory of natural selection," and I get curmudgeony and hide in my room and crack open the ol' laptop.

But you know, a few minutes later, I'm back to loving everybody. This is why I'm an INTJ rather than an ISTJ.

[DeadSpace]

Ah, then I think we agree in this regard. I like to buck stereotypes, too. It doesn't make me feel like I'm against the world, though. It just feels like I'm having fun.

heh...'make everyones day a little more surreal' how i look at it

[youngblooded]

Sometimes I do believe that the world is against me in almost every way. That's why I see everyone as a problem I have to solve rather than mix with. And every person is just a chesspiece to be manipulated.

[Homini Lupus]

I'm fighting the world every single day.
I will never be liked because i'm nice and funny and cute and so on; the only thing the outer world may find in me is knowledge and skill. If I'll ever be able to turn those into power, being liked or not wouldn't be a problem anymore.
When you are in charge, the best thing would be to be both loved and feared. If you cannot obtain both, the latter is the best.

[Myrak]

@ the original post:

I feel sort of the same way at times, not so much as the world is a conscious entity or that I'm battling against it or anything, it's just the masses of stupid mindless drones I bump into or have to deal with nearly every day. It really grates on me after a while; the illogicity, the flailing emotions, lack of rational argument et al.

On the flipside, what really cheers me up is just having a really intelligent or emotional conversation with even just a single person; or having fun with a small group of friends. These things remind me that there are people worthwhile associating with in the world, just that they're few and far between and you need to search hard to find them. :)

[PS. If "illogicity" isn't a word, it should be.]

[TheLastMohican]

As I've gotten older, I have developed this, 'me vs. the world' dichotomy. I feel as though it is me going against the forces of nature. The world is my obstacle that I have to overcome. I feel that if I triumph over nature, I will reach my highest goals in life. I also feel like there is mutual enmity shared between the me and the world. I feel the desire to hate it, for my own reasons and have decided to separate myself from it.

Do any of you share a similar mentality?

I think the world in general holds view views contrary to mine, so I anticipate plenty of conflict throughout my life. In short, it's clobberin' time.

However, I also plan to work my way up by cooperating with the world, and leaving it better off, if possible. I can use our similarities to establish the clout to take part in disagreements.

It helps knowing that I am right. :thumbsup:

[thod]

The world is out there but I am in here. Its a slideshow for my amusement. I amuse myself by predicting what it is going to do next. The world isnt against me, it barely knows I exist.

[Jgib5328]

It's not like I believe the world is out to get me, but I just believe that I'm so different from the world, that we will always be in conflict. Whenever I get too close to the world, I always feel like I need to distance myself from it.

[Nausved]

If I'll ever be able to turn those into power, being liked or not wouldn't be a problem anymore.

Is power a means to an end to you, or is it the goal itself?

When you are in charge, the best thing would be to be both loved and feared. If you cannot obtain both, the latter is the best.

I strongly disagree. As a leader, it is considerably better to be loved than feared. Fear breeds hate, and the hated are ultimately destroyed (in the figurative sense—and often in the literal sense, too).

[TheLastMohican]

Is power a means to an end to you, or is it the goal itself?



I strongly disagree. As a leader, it is considerably better to be loved than feared. Fear breeds hate, and the hated are ultimately destroyed (in the figurative sense—and often in the literal sense, too).

Machiavelli says you are wrong. Love is fickle and quickly forgotten. Fear that is not based in tyranny, but in firmness, breeds respect and awe, which never diminishes.

[raconteur213]

When a true genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign; that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.

Jonathan Swift

[Jgib5328]

When a true genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign; that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.

Jonathan Swift

That's how I feel in a way, I'm not a genius, but it's the fact that my mentality is so adverse the general population that I feel this way. I don't think people are against me though. It's more like I'm against them.

[Nausved]

Machiavelli says you are wrong. Love is fickle and quickly forgotten. Fear that is not based in tyranny, but in firmness, breeds respect and awe, which never diminishes.

I love those I respect. I actually have a hard time differentiating between love and respect. (The dictionary says they're different, but I'm not totally convinced.)

I never fear those I respect; respect requires trust, and I simply cannot bring myself to trust someone I fear. The fear must be eliminated first.

But perhaps I'm just weird. Or, more likely, we're just using different definitions of fear.

[thod]

Machiavelli says you are wrong. Love is fickle and quickly forgotten. Fear that is not based in tyranny, but in firmness, breeds respect and awe, which never diminishes.

Machi was wrong. If I like and respect my boss I will go the extra mile for him, come in at the weekend etc. If I hate his guts I will do the minimum I can get away with and seek opportunities for my revenge.

[Jgib5328]

Just because Machiavelli says something doesn't mean it is exactly right. He was a philosopher, not a scientist.

If you love someone, you are going to want to work harder for them. If you fear someone, you work out of obligation. If a leader leads with fear, in his moment of weakness, his subordinates will go against him. If a leader leads with love, his subordinates won't, or will be less likely to do so.

Think about it in real world. If you love your job, you are going to want to work harder at it. If your only motivation to work hard is your fear of getting in trouble, you won't work with as much passion.

[TheLastMohican]

I love those I respect. I actually have a hard time differentiating between love and respect. (The dictionary says they're different, but I'm not totally convinced.)

I never fear those I respect; respect requires trust, and I simply cannot bring myself to trust someone I fear. The fear must be eliminated first.

But perhaps I'm just weird. Or, more likely, we're just using different definitions of fear.

I think Machiavelli meant the kind of fear a believer feels towards God. You love him, but you also fear and respect him. A lot of people probably have a similar feeling towards their parents.

I partly disagree with Machiavelli, but I can let the rest of you beat up on him a bit before I clarify my own opinion.

[vkut79]

That's how I feel in a way, I'm not a genius, but it's the fact that my mentality is so adverse the general population that I feel this way. I don't think people are against me though. It's more like I'm against them.

Its a typical INTJ trait. Its because of how the INTJ's life experience leads them to view other people. INTJs naturally don't fit in from a young age - if they want to fit in, they need to work on it and act differently. The animosity they feel towards others is probably a self-defense, self-justification mechanism. In order to increase their feeling of self worth, they think negatively about the people around them and exaggerate their own self worth. This is combined with a kind of closed-mindedness and stubbornness, and you can see it on this board. I feel like this is a major weakness for the INTJs, and the one that I personally have decided to work on overcoming. I am going to value other people more and learn from them, rather than dismiss them as inferior. I think its a healthier approach and more beneficial psychologically. Stubborness, closed-mindedness, and negative projection are weaknesses we naturally develop, and we should work on overcoming them in order to develop into stronger, better people. Its going to be tough but I will work on this.

[vaguely dissatisfied]

I feel this way all the time. I have yet another theory about why. I think it's a feeling of disconnectedness. I am unable to connect with people in the same way that most other people can.

[acyckowski]

I just don't understand the aggression that so many people harbor. I especially don't understand it from NT types. :huh:

Exactly!

Yes, most sheeple (love that word) are driven by emotion, whether it's the fact that they feel strongly about something or that they won't step out of their comfort zones. But you can't change people.

Yes, the "rules" of society are arbitrary and even ridiculous at times. So are the rules of football and Monopoly. Can't really change them, either.

I don't understand why so many of my NT brethren get bent out of shape about it. If you can change the rules, do so. If not, they become objective conditions that can either be manipulated or mitigated to achieve your ends.

[Motor Jax]

there are times though, that i could swear that there are people that are paid to get me though

kinda like that movie The Truman Show

i'm being watched!

[vaguely dissatisfied]

there are times though, that i could swear that there are people that are paid to get me though

kinda like that movie The Truman Show

i'm being watched!
I'm watching you Motor Jax.

[thaddeus6th]

Fear and hatred are different feelings, and Machiavelli specifically stated that being hated was to be avoided at all costs. He also said that it was best to be loved and feared, but if you could only be one then fear was the better, because men choose who they love, but the feared choose who fear them.

Responding to the thread's question: quite frequently. The fact is that your average INTJ differs quite a lot from your average person. We're quieter, more thoughtful and, casting aside false modesty, probably more intelligent.

However, there are certain things I do like, and a few people even though we're quite different.

[Minerva]

As I've gotten older, I have developed this, 'me vs. the world' dichotomy. I feel as though it is me going against the forces of nature. The world is my obstacle that I have to overcome. I feel that if I triumph over nature, I will reach my highest goals in life. I also feel like there is mutual enmity shared between the me and the world. I feel the desire to hate it, for my own reasons and have decided to separate myself from it.

Do any of you share a similar mentality?

Ok... so I'm not INTJ, but sometimes I feel like that too. According to various sources, I am "supposed" to be a protector and living in a compassionate, concrete world... blah blah blah. And I share many of the traits that the literature says I should have. But honestly, there are times when I really feel like I am really out of place with the "rest of the world".

You know sometimes I hear people talking about what's normal. And there are times when I ask them "What is normal, anyway? Who gets to define normal? You? Me? Some deity?" Some people can't seem to think outside the box. But maybe they should. You know... be more open minded.

Does your dichotomy exist because you feel like you just don't get this world we live in? When I was as a child, I felt ostracized, and this made me really disenchanted with the world. For example, I was never into what my schoolmates were into. So I became the laughing stock for most my class. I couldn't stand the vast majority of my schoolmates. There were times when I really hated having to go to school. But I went because I said to myself "To hell with them... I love to learn and that's why I go to school. Friends are just bonus points!"

I am no longer a child, but at times I still feel like I cannot connect with what is happening around me. But I listen and try to absorb what's going on around me... keeping myself aware of my environment.

And like your said above, you have to decided to separate yourself from it. Well... at this point in time, maybe that is the best thing for you. Ensure your own comfort. And who, you may ask is the best judge of where to find this comfort? Answer: You!

[sriv]

It's not me vs the world. It's the world vs me. The world should be listed first since it is older and more superior than I am. No actually. I try to look at things from all perspectives, not just mine. When it is a bad day, I forgive everyone in the world for everything they ever did wrong, go to sleep, and start all over again.

[acyckowski]

It's not me vs the world. It's the world vs me. The world should be listed first since it is older and more superior than I am. No actually. I try to look at things from all perspectives, not just mine. When it is a bad day, I forgive everyone in the world for everything they ever did wrong, go to sleep, and start all over again.

Nah, it was right the first way. Standard box score format lists the home team after the "vs".

[nyshygirl71]

I dont feel like Im battling the forces of nature as much as I am battling the people around me. I do understand what you mean about separating yourself from the world, though.

I would have to agree with this statement.

[pallasathena]

I heard once that we create our own reality. If that is true, then ultimately, are we against ourselves? :thinking:

[sriv]

You are against yourself only when you have lost all external worries and problems.

[Maverick]

I feel like the world is a system of forces working sometimes together, and sometimes against each other. Order and logic enable the concentration of forces on areas that are deemed worthwile by their holders. On the other hand, chaos will hinder this process and will lead to a waste of ressources.

[Nightelf]

I love observing the world, I love contemplating about how it works. I love exploring its secrets.
Still, as I differ from most people around me and they just don't understand me I often realize that THEY are aganist me. So I strive fro survival.

[umop_3pisdn]

I don't feel like it's me against the world. I used to feel that way often, though, when I was younger. I went to a catholic high school. Early on I was agnostic/atheist, but the whole experience sort of precipitated my discovery of nihilism, and the meaninglessness nature of existence, and fun and enchanting stuff like that :blank:. This was also the same time I got throughly fed up with politics and prescribed morality, and really most of humanity in general. Around then, I really liked entertaining the idea of becoming some sort of dictator, because I really hated all the BS involved in politics. I generally thought most people were too stupid to even know what's good for them, or how to maintain focus on the more important topics. I still kind of feel that way, but now I feel I'd rather just ignore or remove myself from politics... as it's outside my control, and I tend to wish it was all irrelevant.

I'm quite familiar with feelings of anomie, as I kind of hated most of my peers at that time. Not because they were cruel to me, but because they never met any of my overly-high standards. I spent a lot of this time in solitude and in a deep sort of loathing. For both the world I was born into, and how/if I could reconcile myself with it. But eventually I realized I was only hurting myself. And then I was out of high school, so I wasn't forced to spend time with these people, anymore. I calmed down a fair bit, and now I just try to ignore those feelings. Most people are alright at face value, even if I hate everything they stand for.

Now I mostly just feel that society's expectations don't apply to me... though the world can still annoy some of my sensibilities. I think a large part of my frustration stemmed from feelings of isolation, or feeling separate from the rest of humanity. I don't find myself thinking that very much, anymore, even though I'm not that much like most people. I'm not sure exactly why, but I've grown a bit more compassionate lately, through recognizing and owning up to some of the weaker aspects of my character... so it hasn't bothered me as much, lately. Everyone has faults. Especially when you expand that into society, many of those faults compound each other. I'm more content to fix the things I don't like about myself, than trying to struggle against the current of the world to get my way.

[suzyk]

When I don't understand things, I feel like that. I still do.

[Antares]

I tend to be more cynical, but do not necessarily think the world is against me. To me, everyone else is an enemy or a competitor who must be vanquished. I'm good at sensing emotions and empathy; and I have sympathy too. I hardly ever use the latter. To me, high IQ, coupled with high EQ (not necessarily showing emotions etc. I control my emotions, not the other way around) is a deadly combination, which I will work to my advantage. I know what ticks people and how to manipulate them to meet my ends; I've manipulated my worthy competitor from participating, say, in an audition. I don't feel guilt in doing this; a bit more BRAINS would have prevented them from being emotionally manipulated. I strike where it hurts most; but it's their fault; they should have used their brains. Maybe I'd be a good dictator, but I wouldn't care for such petty things as power.

I hate the world sometimes and I see the worst in people; but it's actually the worst in them that could set you up for failure; them being generous and giving you candy don't matter. There's just so many things wrong with the world today; so many emotionally-driven semi-morons. There's so much hypocrisy; so much deceit; arrogance and self-importance. So many things unnecessary; don't even get me started. They expect me to be a certain way; but their expectations are complete and utter bullshit. They're unnecessary and controlling; totalitarian, not in the sense of physical threats, but psychological ones (exclusion from society etc). If I'm not 'normal', hell, I'm out!

[TheLastMohican]

I tend to be more cynical, but do not necessarily think the world is against me. To me, everyone else is an enemy or a competitor who must be vanquished. I'm good at sensing emotions and empathy; and I have sympathy too. I hardly ever use the latter. To me, high IQ, coupled with high EQ (not necessarily showing emotions etc. I control my emotions, not the other way around) is a deadly combination, which I will work to my advantage. I know what ticks people and how to manipulate them to meet my ends; I've manipulated my worthy competitor from participating, say, in an audition. I don't feel guilt in doing this; a bit more BRAINS would have prevented them from being emotionally manipulated. I strike where it hurts most; but it's their fault; they should have used their brains. Maybe I'd be a good dictator, but I wouldn't care for such petty things as power.


I think you might be in big trouble if you came up against someone who was better at this manipulation than you are. Think about that. The more you pull, the more you have coming to you.

[sriv]

Thats the problem. Someone I know is attempting to manipulate me and I sort of let him do it, but when he pulls hard enough, ;). I reveal that I held the reigns the whole time and he collapses because everything has been revealed in too little time.

[Minerva]

I heard once that we create our own reality. If that is true, then ultimately, are we against ourselves? :thinking:

This reminds me of "Life is what you make it." We shape our destinies with the decisions we make. Life is a series of decisions and when we reflect we can see how one thing led to another. However, we are not alone in this world. Other people can have a great influence on what happens to you. What is good though is that you have control over how you react to it, or how you handle a situation as it presents itself.





Minerva added to this post, 3 minutes and 4 seconds later...

I think you might be in big trouble if you came up against someone who was better at this manipulation than you are. Think about that. The more you pull, the more you have coming to you.

I second that. Meeting you match or your someone who has excelled in manipulation beyond your capabilities could make it very, very uncomfortable for you. And I ain't just theorizing here. I have witnessed something like this before.

[Timdotz]

There's a world full of stupid, emotionally-driven people out there. You don't have to mold yourself the same way or tolerate their stupidity. There's nothing wrong with you. There IS something wrong with them.

At the same time, though, realize you can't change them. (This is what causes the "me vs. the world" sensation, I think. As INTJs we will always be swimming upstream compared to the sheeple.) The best approach is to find fellow rationals to associate with, and/or use people to your advantage.

Personally, I'm starting to realize the important of emotional intelligence, and will have to learn it to make it work for me in the moderate future. We can't change the masses, but we can learn enough about them to manipulate them to better purpose.

I'm both proud and a little creeped out that I just typed that.

I'm proud you typed that out, and I'm proud thats exactly how I feel as well.

I can't say I've ever experienced what you're saying. For me it's like getting mad at a tree or a rock for existing. If I'm having a bad day or something negative befalls me; I see it as a series of actions that have occurred randomly without some sinister force driving it (with intention). For me the intention, would have to be required for me to "hate" something. I couldn't get mad at an avalanche, unless I though the boulders were out trying to get me. I guess if I believed in a divine being, I could get angry at the world; since intention would then exist in my framework.

The reason we get angry at the world (or from my perspective), it is that its a self-protection mechanisim which encourages us not to be as dumb as the general population as dumb-witted, emotional-driven zombies. Feel free to tell me I'm wrong and why.

That's how I feel in a way, I'm not a genius, but it's the fact that my mentality is so adverse the general population that I feel this way. I don't think people are against me though. It's more like I'm against them.

Agreed.

I love those I respect. I actually have a hard time differentiating between love and respect. (The dictionary says they're different, but I'm not totally convinced.)

Neither, can someone please throughly explain the difference?

Its a typical INTJ trait. Its because of how the INTJ's life experience leads them to view other people. INTJs naturally don't fit in from a young age - if they want to fit in, they need to work on it and act differently. The animosity they feel towards others is probably a self-defense, self-justification mechanism. In order to increase their feeling of self worth, they think negatively about the people around them and exaggerate their own self worth. This is combined with a kind of closed-mindedness and stubbornness, and you can see it on this board. I feel like this is a major weakness for the INTJs, and the one that I personally have decided to work on overcoming. I am going to value other people more and learn from them, rather than dismiss them as inferior. I think its a healthier approach and more beneficial psychologically. Stubborness, closed-mindedness, and negative projection are weaknesses we naturally develop, and we should work on overcoming them in order to develop into stronger, better people. Its going to be tough but I will work on this.

Good luck, if you succeed, please pass on some tips on how to socialize better with people.

I heard once that we create our own reality. If that is true, then ultimately, are we against ourselves? :thinking:

That raises awfully interesting questions.

To me, high IQ, coupled with high EQ (not necessarily showing emotions etc. I control my emotions, not the other way around) is a deadly combination, which I will work to my advantage. I know what ticks people and how to manipulate them to meet my ends; I've manipulated my worthy competitor from participating, say, in an audition. I don't feel guilt in doing this; a bit more BRAINS would have prevented them from being emotionally manipulated. I strike where it hurts most; but it's their fault; they should have used their brains. Maybe I'd be a good dictator, but I wouldn't care for such petty things as power.

I hate the world sometimes and I see the worst in people; but it's actually the worst in them that could set you up for failure; them being generous and giving you candy don't matter. There's just so many things wrong with the world today; so many emotionally-driven semi-morons. There's so much hypocrisy; so much deceit; arrogance and self-importance. So many things unnecessary; don't even get me started. They expect me to be a certain way; but their expectations are complete and utter bullshit. They're unnecessary and controlling; totalitarian, not in the sense of physical threats, but psychological ones (exclusion from society etc). If I'm not 'normal', hell, I'm out!

I can feel your hatred. I have to agree on all points of that. I hate people who are too nice/kind, as it makes me feel bad about manipulating them, and knowing that emotions are a bad bad thing, makes me angry.

Meeting you match or your someone who has excelled in manipulation beyond your capabilities could make it very, very uncomfortable for you. And I ain't just theorizing here. I have witnessed something like this before.

Now that is someone I would like to meet. If I ever did, I would take the stance of a learner and ask them to teach me how to do it more effectively, and therefore manipulate them in return, but that I suppose would not be possible as they would see through that?:huh:

[Antares]

I think you might be in big trouble if you came up against someone who was better at this manipulation than you are. Think about that. The more you pull, the more you have coming to you.

True. That's why I tend to keep away from these people (if I know. But those skilled at manipulation, often have you thinking they're nice and cuddly). If I happen across them, I retreat.

[TheLastMohican]

True. That's why I tend to keep away from these people (if I know. But those skilled at manipulation, often have you thinking they're nice and cuddly). If I happen across them, I retreat.

So do you think you are the smartest person on this forum?

[Antares]

So do you think you are the smartest person on this forum?

Why would you ask that?

[Alida]

I definitely see every decision/action as made in the frame-of-mind of me vs. the situation, or "the world" in a broader scope.

I see all people as a sort of training-ground that keeps me in-shape for future battles. Every interaction is like a little practice fight. I want something - and I see if I can get it or not, and how.

[TheLastMohican]

Why would you ask that?

Because you have not backed down from any debates on this forum (that I know of). Yet you apparently retreat when confronted with superior forces.

[Antares]

Because you have not backed down from any debates on this forum (that I know of). Yet you apparently retreat when confronted with superior forces.

Only if I know you're superior. And why should I? I don't see that I've lost, then I won't. Besides, if I find fault in my arguments or I misunderstood something, I would admit it. See my debate with Sod. If I meet someone who is very adept at manipulation, then I would avoid dealings with them. And by 'back down', do you mean stop posting? I see a lot of people here who do that when they lost the argument; but I always seek to complete. If I must admit defeat in a debate, I won't just abandon it. I would actually post that I've lost the debate.

[TheLastMohican]

Only if I know you're superior. And why should I? I don't see that I've lost, then I won't. Besides, if I find fault in my arguments or I misunderstood something, I would admit it. See my debate with Sod. If I meet someone who is very adept at manipulation, then I would avoid dealings with them.

I saw your concessions in your debate with Sod, but you did not run away from the debate; you just gave ground gradually.
How do you tell if someone is adept or better than you at manipulation? I get the impression you might have a tendency towards falling in love with these people instead.

[Antares]

I saw your concessions in your debate with Sod, but you did not run away from the debate; you just gave ground gradually.
How do you tell if someone is adept or better than you at manipulation? I get the impression you might have a tendency towards falling in love with these people instead.

There are points that he hasn't answered, so I wouldn't call it 'giving ground'. If we reached an understanding that our interpretation of the data is different and extremely difficult to reconcile, then I would suggest to him that we abandon that area of the debate. After all, it would be back and forth, yielding no conceivable results.

I don't think I can tell, but generally, being good at manipulation myself, I get the gist. I must rely on my intuitions on this one; since a person good at manipulating wouldn't give away this piece of information (like my highly manipulative mother. Even my father doesn't know about it. She's an 'INTJ' at work, and I think NT is her shadow personality which she's in touch with. We communicate often and I'm the only person who actually knows). I tend to fall in love with them? I tend to fall for those who can defeat me and represent a challenge. Like my ENTP friends; even though I'm not 'in love', I find meetings with them highly entertaining because they can outwit me in a verbal sparring.

[TheLastMohican]

I don't think I can tell, but generally, being good at manipulation myself, I get the gist. I must rely on my intuitions on this one; since a person good at manipulating wouldn't give away this piece of information (like my highly manipulative mother. Even my father doesn't know about it. She's an 'INTJ' at work, and I think NT is her shadow personality which she's in touch with. We communicate often and I'm the only person who actually knows).

Do you mean your mother is manipulative and your father does not know it? If you know it, does that mean you are not subject to the manipulation?

I tend to fall in love with them? I tend to fall for those who can defeat me and represent a challenge. Like my ENTP friends; even though I'm not 'in love', I find meetings with them highly entertaining because they can outwit me in a verbal sparring.

I don't remember which types exactly, but I remember you reported a few instances in which you fell in love with people of quite different personality types, those who are often skilled at manipulation. It seems this would place you in a very vulnerable position, since according to you, you are less rational when in love.

Henceforth, methinks thou ought not manipulate too often, lest ye yourself be suffered thus.

[Antares]

Do you mean your mother is manipulative and your father does not know it? If you know it, does that mean you are not subject to the manipulation?She manipulated her brother into some real estate investment (legally) that benefited her. I don't know the details of this, but her brother seems to think that he's manipulating her. She was, of course, angry over the fact that he went back on his words and she lost a house because of it. It's very complicated; but if you're interested in the details, there's PM. She doesn't manipulate me; despite having such abilities, she sees raising me into an independent and successful person as her duty and if she's manipulating me all the time, well... She told me because I was the only person she could trust that wouldn't judge her (given our similarities) and because I was her only child. I suppose, upon her relevation, I gained enough insight to start manipulating her back (a good reason not to share this with anyone). I got out of practicing piano, fooled her into thinking that I spend 8 hours a night doing homework etc. While my dad doesn't know about just how smart she can be, neither does anybody else but I.
I don't remember which types exactly, but I remember you reported a few instances in which you fell in love with people of quite different personality types, those who are often skilled at manipulation. It seems this would place you in a very vulnerable position, since according to you, you are less rational when in love.

Henceforth, methinks thou ought not manipulate too often, lest ye yourself be suffered thus.

I think I've only fell for an ENTP (I never did like my ESFP ex), and he was ignorant even to this day. I let him indirectly manipulate me emotionally; and given my romantic craze, I realize that I was being somewhat controlled by him, but I gave in to my intense Fi at the time. I put myself in vulnerable positions, sometimes stupidly. If I had genuine affections for my friends, I would be open (but I've heard that INTJs tend to 'open up' when someone finally 'gets in'). I have paid for that once, but usually it's rewarding; but I don't err without learning a lesson. I generally withhold my affections now, and it extends to only a couple of friends (I shared with them today that I don't like my other 'friends', and I trust them to not judge me. They didn't).

[True Rune]

Sometimes, but I don't think other people lower or anything..

[TheLastMohican]

It's very complicated; but if you're interested in the details, there's PM.

PM by all means, as long as it is not confidental information.

The rest of your post pretty much covers it. I am surprised that someone would believe you spend 8 hours on homework. She has certainly not taught you honesty, it seems. ;)

[Minerva]

PM by all means, as long as it is not confidental information.

The rest of your post pretty much covers it. I am surprised that someone would believe you spend 8 hours on homework. She has certainly not taught you honesty, it seems. ;)

Sometimes parents wast to believe the best in their children. Her mom probably thinks that her daughter, who she trusts enough to confide in, won't lie to her about homework.

[TheLastMohican]

Sometimes parents wast to believe the best in their children. Her mom probably thinks that her daughter, who she trusts enough to confide in, won't lie to her about homework.

But that just doesn't make sense when the mother has no shame about her own manipulation/dishonesty.

[Antares]

But that just doesn't make sense when the mother has no shame about her own manipulation/dishonesty.

Nah. She actually cares; I've been caught before. I just got better at covering my tracks. She's not ashamed of her manipulation because she felt it was justified that she can use my uncle for her benefits after what he did to her. She doesn't manipulate normally, and would just give in and be the 'peace advocate' whenever conflict arises. There was this time my aunt (the said uncle's wife. Not surprisingly) used her to gain from investment (at her loss) and she knew it. Her other brother asked her why she didn't tell the said uncle. She said she didn't want to cause conflicts. I was indignant, but she's not doing anything about it.

[darkkodiak]

I definitely feel the same way as I was growing up but IMO it's all about knowing how to adapt to your surroundings so you can achieve the necessary changes to make the world a better place. I mean, at the end of the day it really is us who saves the world but yet again it is us who can destroy it too lol.

[HazMathew]

I know what you mean. I've always had determination and discipline. But lately, I've had this insane drive to achieve. Whether its in school, or in my career or just projects at home. Hell, even finishing a video game. It's like it's me vs the forces of nature and I have to triumph. I have to conquer it, whatever it may be.

Sometimes, I take some deep breaths and get a different perspective. Where in the end does it really matter? All the things you collect over the years, all the things you do. You can't take them with you when you're lying on your deathbed ready to part ways with this existence.

I try to just enjoy it all, but theres always some lingering anxiety. Maybe all I want is to leave some kind of legacy. It's very exhausting. :undecided:

[ThunderPrincess]

I have separated myself from people...but much of it lies in losses I have suffered the past couple of years..or so I thought...people suck...that is my philosophy LOL

[Dominick]

There's a world full of stupid, emotionally-driven people out there. You don't have to mold yourself the same way or tolerate their stupidity. There's nothing wrong with you. There IS something wrong with them.

At the same time, though, realize you can't change them. (This is what causes the "me vs. the world" sensation, I think. As INTJs we will always be swimming upstream compared to the sheeple.) The best approach is to find fellow rationals to associate with, and/or use people to your advantage.

Personally, I'm starting to realize the important of emotional intelligence, and will have to learn it to make it work for me in the moderate future. We can't change the masses, but we can learn enough about them to manipulate them to better purpose.

I'm both proud and a little creeped out that I just typed that.

I am so glad when my day ends reading a comment that nails how addicted most of the social/emotional people are to being f***king crazy and retarded - and all that without them even knowing it. We have to tune ourselves to workaround unprecedented amounts of social/emotional stupidity in every corner out there. I can't wait for the day I won't be needing any of those socially/emotionally addicted clowns. Till an INTJ reaches this point he has no other way to survive other than developing emotional intelligence at a conscious level by studying material that (thankfully) has appeared in bibliography and on the net over the last couple of decades.





Dominick added to this post, 19 minutes and 0 seconds later...

Its a typical INTJ trait. Its because of how the INTJ's life experience leads them to view other people. INTJs naturally don't fit in from a young age - if they want to fit in, they need to work on it and act differently. The animosity they feel towards others is probably a self-defense, self-justification mechanism. In order to increase their feeling of self worth, they think negatively about the people around them and exaggerate their own self worth. This is combined with a kind of closed-mindedness and stubbornness, and you can see it on this board. I feel like this is a major weakness for the INTJs, and the one that I personally have decided to work on overcoming. I am going to value other people more and learn from them, rather than dismiss them as inferior. I think its a healthier approach and more beneficial psychologically. Stubborness, closed-mindedness, and negative projection are weaknesses we naturally develop, and we should work on overcoming them in order to develop into stronger, better people. Its going to be tough but I will work on this.

I support your opinion but I would also like to praise the INTJs for their `flaw': if you get too mixed in a crowd that is full of nonsense no matter how strong you are and no matter how good you are an amount of their thoughts and behavior WILL make it to your own character if you don't keep your `boundaries' in check every day. If an INTJ ever allows himself to forget this it doesn't take long for him to realize that he is getting carried away and doing things against his own achieving, high-quality nature and this treason against his own self hurts a hundred-fold more than limited social interactions. My take on this as an INTJ is that I will trifle and socialize with the crowd but, hell-yeah I will stand my ground when my core principles are violated and verbally-spank people when they say things that are too stupid for me to bare. After all, they have a inherent understanding that I am not the typical guy `that will go with the flow' and in a sense they expect me to bust their balls. I won't hold back in backlashing, especially those who are trying to `sell' me social norms and believing in external symbols like money, hot-air and status. Sometimes it has horrific results (I give this to anyone who claims it) but from my experience people actually appreciate the sound-judgement of an INTJ and the way he stands for what he believes cause these are very, very rare qualities. It might take them months to realize it but eventually they always end up appreciating you more - not less.

[Provoker]

Do you feel like it's 'you vs. the world'?

No. I hold the world in contempt and think of the world as beneath me. My only worthy opponent is myself. The only one with the potential to destroy me is myself, and the only one with the potential to save me is, again, also myself.

[alone]

Wow. That's exactly how I have always felt. Lately I have been deeply depressed about the pure drudgery of work and the stupidity and meaninglessness of everything around me. Sometimes I think I would like to just work in porn or something and try to forget about deeper questions. But I don't seem to be able to do things like that.

I am currently considering leaving my wife and kid and just living alone for the rest of my life.


I don't feel like it's me against the world. I used to feel that way often, though, when I was younger. I went to a catholic high school. Early on I was agnostic/atheist, but the whole experience sort of precipitated my discovery of nihilism, and the meaninglessness nature of existence, and fun and enchanting stuff like that :blank:. This was also the same time I got throughly fed up with politics and prescribed morality, and really most of humanity in general. Around then, I really liked entertaining the idea of becoming some sort of dictator, because I really hated all the BS involved in politics. I generally thought most people were too stupid to even know what's good for them, or how to maintain focus on the more important topics. I still kind of feel that way, but now I feel I'd rather just ignore or remove myself from politics... as it's outside my control, and I tend to wish it was all irrelevant.

I'm quite familiar with feelings of anomie, as I kind of hated most of my peers at that time. Not because they were cruel to me, but because they never met any of my overly-high standards. I spent a lot of this time in solitude and in a deep sort of loathing. For both the world I was born into, and how/if I could reconcile myself with it. But eventually I realized I was only hurting myself. And then I was out of high school, so I wasn't forced to spend time with these people, anymore. I calmed down a fair bit, and now I just try to ignore those feelings. Most people are alright at face value, even if I hate everything they stand for.

Now I mostly just feel that society's expectations don't apply to me... though the world can still annoy some of my sensibilities. I think a large part of my frustration stemmed from feelings of isolation, or feeling separate from the rest of humanity. I don't find myself thinking that very much, anymore, even though I'm not that much like most people. I'm not sure exactly why, but I've grown a bit more compassionate lately, through recognizing and owning up to some of the weaker aspects of my character... so it hasn't bothered me as much, lately. Everyone has faults. Especially when you expand that into society, many of those faults compound each other. I'm more content to fix the things I don't like about myself, than trying to struggle against the current of the world to get my way.

[marcclarke]

I think INT's experience it the most. Because we are so rare, we feel opposed to the rest of the world because we are so different from everyone else. I always feel a lot different from the people who surround me.

We aren't paranoid and believe that everyone in the world is out to get us. Our opposition to the world stems from our idiosyncrasies.

My father, who is also an INTJ, simply assures me, "They all think we (INTJs) are aliens."

[PRBori]

I live in my own world...maybe to secluded after a long day of work...

But all in all, I don't feel that is me against the world or the world against me. I have my own view of the world and therefore the WORLD doesn't bother me at all.

Outside of co-workers my life is very secluded, very limited... only selected few get to be part of my world, but I can easily get rid of those that do not share my views in certain areas such as respect towards others regardless of their personal belief... or the laws...

What can I say... a weird gal to some extend. ONLY priviledge people get to deal with me and most of them are on my areas of interest.... after all I need to pick someone elses brain to attain my goals...

Uhh.. I sound harsh, but I'm not, I'm nice and sweet.. people that know me
can attest to that... but I do have my own way of seing the world around me

;D

[Pnutslayer]

I feel like it is me vs. all the stupid, emotionally-driven people every day.

[catd]

Um... no, I don't feel like that at all.

Me and the world are great buddies, actually. The world keeps me fed and entertained, while requiring very little in return. Really, what more could I ask for?

Sure, the world offers occasional challenges, but I actually happen to like puzzles. It's icing on the cake.

I just don't understand the aggression that so many people harbor. I especially don't understand it from NT types. :huh:

Me too. It does seem like there is a lot of hate, aggression, etc. going on around this forum. It's probably the only INTJ thing I can't relate to - or is it an INTJ thing? Or is it teenage male INTJ thing? :thinking:

[Elfrun]

I don't know that it's a particularly INTJ thing, I'd expect it would be more of a teenage thing like Catd suggested, maybe being INTJ adds an element of isolation or being misunderstood and rather then taking it out on other people we internalise and project anger towards others.

It's certinaly not the way that I feel.

[nonentropic]

i've tried to remove myself from society. i was not successful. i see governments and institutions creating societies which i cannot stand, tolerate, nor desire to live-within in almost anyway. i do see systems created and supported by certain specific people that are actually seeking to destroy me via conformity from a mass-mind perspective, forms of human slavery, corruption, deceit and other negative human shit/actions and beliefs. in the very least...i resist it. - secrecy in gov. is the problem. - - pro-freedom/not pro-insanity -

[Snowdragon]

I feel as though the universe is against me...all the time.

[Karamazov]

I to, at times, feel this way. Not so much as the world being an antagonistic entity lusting for my demise, but it's inhabitants are, for the most part, the barbarians who attack my fortress (my Rome, if you'd like) on a daily basis, whittling down my sanity. I must admit though, despite my misanthropic tendencies, I have no real hatred towards the idiot masses (or those I consider to be a part of the masses) and have no real illusions of grandeur or posit myself as a superman. I'm just different and I seek to better myself, my reality and those inhabiting it (preferably at a distance and without anyone knowing). If I meet someone who's worthy of my steel (As Holmes would put it) It would be the perfect learning experience to derive from your unfortunate situation. Asses the issue at hand, understand what you did wrong and build upon that foundation so it won't happen again.

I see It merely as a burden to carry and it still helps me to have a more hopeful demeanor to further my plans and my framework amid the chaos and insanity.

[Monte314]

I feel this way sometimes... but I'm winning.

[Zadoc]

As I've gotten older, I have developed this, 'me vs. the world' dichotomy. I feel as though it is me going against the forces of nature. The world is my obstacle that I have to overcome. I feel that if I triumph over nature, I will reach my highest goals in life. I also feel like there is mutual enmity shared between the me and the world. I feel the desire to hate it, for my own reasons and have decided to separate myself from it.

Do any of you share a similar mentality?

I kind of sense that there is a battle to more overcome the "I" part of the personality to become accepted in situations, especially professional ones, where its more or less necessary to fit in to advance.

Oftentimes I find that generalizations that society makes are at odds with my beliefs, (for example, the majority of the US is Christian, I am not, the majority is for capital punishment, I am not, the majority believe that the will of the majority should rule, I do not), but I do not feel that I am constantly at war with society, and especially not nature for that matter.

[Beery Swine]

The world? Ha, I'm not letting the universe off that easy. Matter, energy, space/time: all enemies to be conquered.

And. I. Will. Win.:ninja::mad:

[Minerva]

I kind of sense that there is a battle to more overcome the "I" part of the personality to become accepted in situations, especially professional ones, where its more or less necessary to fit in to advance.

Oftentimes I find that generalizations that society makes are at odds with my beliefs, (for example, the majority of the US is Christian, I am not, the majority is for capital punishment, I am not, the majority believe that the will of the majority should rule, I do not), but I do not feel that I am constantly at war with society, and especially not nature for that matter.

Yep, "tyranny of the majority" is a bit exhausting. Is learning to fit in an Introvert thing? Of all the I types, the INTJ has the toughest time trying to fit in.

I am often sorry that the world is so E. But what can an the I's do but learn to play the E game?

[Zadoc]

Yep, "tyranny of the majority" is a bit exhausting. Is learning to fit in an Introvert thing? Of all the I types, the INTJ has the toughest time trying to fit in.

I am often sorry that the world is so E. But what can an the I's do but learn to play the E game?

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. It's an "E" world and we have to play within those rules.

[Firebrand]

Its a typical INTJ trait. Its because of how the INTJ's life experience leads them to view other people. INTJs naturally don't fit in from a young age - if they want to fit in, they need to work on it and act differently. The animosity they feel towards others is probably a self-defense, self-justification mechanism. In order to increase their feeling of self worth, they think negatively about the people around them and exaggerate their own self worth. This is combined with a kind of closed-mindedness and stubbornness, and you can see it on this board. I feel like this is a major weakness for the INTJs, and the one that I personally have decided to work on overcoming. I am going to value other people more and learn from them, rather than dismiss them as inferior. I think its a healthier approach and more beneficial psychologically. Stubborness, closed-mindedness, and negative projection are weaknesses we naturally develop, and we should work on overcoming them in order to develop into stronger, better people. Its going to be tough but I will work on this.

""The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress deprends on the unreasonable man."
- George Bernard Shaw "

[BadgerDad]

When you think through it, it makes sense that we feel at odds with "the world".

Look at the numbers: the vast majority of the population is not like us. The "world" (pop culture, jobs, even airline travel) is designed to function smoothly and well for the largest numver of people; and that ain't us...

So, if you seem to feel aileniated, its only logical because in this world, we are the ailens....

[Zadoc]

So, if you seem to feel aileniated, its only logical because in this world, we are the ailens....


Oh, you used that four letter "F" word. We should be able to use the T and J aspects of ourselves to understand the way that the world works, and understand situations better, instead of feeling and perceiving.

[phantasma]

Well, in my case there isn't any serious war between me and the world. Just an awkward competitive silence that translates into a cold war. It's usually me and the world, always separate. I can hardly ever relate with anyone so there's many times where I don't feel human. I'm just a mind walking around that looks like a human.

However, in the competitive side of things, I prefer to end up near the top. I don't feel obligated to be the best, but I have to be way above average in what I do.

[Minerva]

Oh, you used that four letter "F" word. We should be able to use the T and J aspects of ourselves to understand the way that the world works, and understand situations better, instead of feeling and perceiving.

Yes your T and J is what you usually use. However, if something is not working, then DO something different. Practice using your F side. It could prove to be quite illuminating. You have to learn how to use your inferior functions. It will help you grow as a person.

[WiredBrain]

Yeah, I generally think it's "me vs the world", but I sense it more like in a "rivalry" than in a "hatred" way.