The Spectrum Blog Gets Analyzed

ISTP.gif

I saw this over at Megan McArdle's blog at the Atlantic. She says that it didn't get her right and I'm dubious about these things, but I ran the Spectrum site and blog through the online Meyers-Briggs blog Typealizer. They both came out the same.

ISTP - The Mechanics

The independent and problem-solving type. They are especially attuned to the demands of the moment are masters of responding to challenges that arise spontaneously. They generally prefer to think things out for themselves and often avoid inter-personal conflicts.

The Mechanics enjoy working together with other independent and highly skilled people and often like seek fun and action both in their work and personal life. They enjoy adventure and risk such as in driving race cars or working as policemen and firefighters.

Independent of mind and problem-solving, adventure-loving and highly skilled - that probably does describe most of the folks who write (and read) Spectrum. Although I'm pretty dubious about the efficacy (since the conditions change results) of these sorts of tests (and let's make that completely dubious about the Typealyzer), thinking about folks as multifaceted types (which is true) rather than just Left or Right provides a lot more room for conversation and understanding.

I can't really remember what my type is, but it would be interesting to see if all the contributors (and readers) have these types in common.

Do you know your Meyers-Briggs type?

Jeff Crocombe - Sun, 11/23/2008 - 10:25

Well for what its worth the site picked my type perfectly: "The analysis indicates that the author of http://h0bbes.wordpress.com/ is of the type: INTP - The Thinkers.

Donna Haerich - Sun, 11/23/2008 - 11:30

When I first took the Meyers-Briggs test years ago - I poop pooped it as pop culture and not a valid way of categorizing people.

Since then I've taken it several times in different settings - and I always end up the same. I've come to the conclusion that it is probably my preferred way of processing information.

I am an INTJ.

Carrol Grady - Sun, 11/23/2008 - 12:00

INTP - definitely not the risk/adventure-seeking type.

Ellen - Sun, 11/23/2008 - 16:50

I am an INTP and my son and INTJ --- we both enjoy the site and blogs

Jared Wright - Sun, 11/23/2008 - 21:02

Aren't there any E's in this place?

Jared ENFP Wright

Daneen Akers - Sun, 11/23/2008 - 23:56

Yup, ENFJ (but on the edge of P--no wonder I like you Jared ; )

Jared Wright - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 00:08

[grin]

Carrol Grady - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 08:55

I've forgotten what all the letters stand for, but I and E are introvert and extrovert, aren't they? And T and F are thinking and feeling. What are J and P, and N and its opposite?

Of course one can be anywhere on the scale between, so the possible combinations are practically endless, which makes sense, since each of us is unique.

Carrol Grady - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 08:55

I've forgotten what all the letters stand for, but I and E are introvert and extrovert, aren't they? And T and F are thinking and feeling. What are J and P, and N and its opposite?

Of course one can be anywhere on the scale between, so the possible combinations are practically endless, which makes sense, since each of us is unique.

Sharon - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 09:04

INFJ but very close to an INTJ

I've taken the Myers-Briggs test a number of times--the full-blown paper version once and a shorter online version several times--and my results are always very similar, down to the percentages.

From what I know about Myers-Briggs typology, I would bet that there are far more "N" (intuitive) types than "S" (sensory) types in the Spectrum crowd.

Michael - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 09:14

III. MBTI Type Definitions

What follows is a very abbreviated overview of the personality traits of the eight types developed by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. They are arranged in four continuums or scales:

1. Extravert (E)�.. Introvert (I)
2. Sensing (S)��. Intuitive (N)
3. Thinking (T)�� Feeling (F)
4. Perceiving (P)� Judging (J)

We all have bits of each but tend to favor one end of the scale over the other. The stronger the number resulting on the MBTI, the stronger our preference. The lower our number, the more balanced the two preferences are.

1. Extravert-Introvert: This scale explains how we get our energy.

Extraverts (E) are energized by interaction with others. They love to talk, participate, organize, and party. They are people of action. Extraverts love parties, especially when they can talk with everyone present. E's are pulled into social life and find it difficult to settle down, read, or concentrate on homework. They hate to listen and need to talk to work out their ideas. They will find many college tasks challenging (reading, research, or writing) because they are solitary endeavors.

Introverts (I) are energized by the inner world of reflection, thought, and contemplation. They need space and time alone. Introverts like reading, lectures, written oral work. They usually have a longer attention span and prefer to think things through before acting. I's are uncomfortable in discussion groups, may find it difficult to remember names, and hesitate to speak up in class. Introverts will have fun at a party if they can talk with one person all night.

2. Sensing-Intuitive (S-N) This scale suggests how you take in information. It has the biggest impact on how we learn.

Sensing (S) people rely heavily on their five senses to take in information. They like concrete facts, organization, and structure. They are good at memorization, usually realistic, and relatively conventional. S's are oriented toward the present, the concrete, and the here and now. Sensing people usually like outlines, clear guidelines, and specifics. They often have difficulty with theory. They ask who, what, when, where? Sensing students read the question several times before answering it to be certain they understand it.

Intuitive (N) people see the world through intuition. They learn by hunches, look at the forest rather than individual trees. They want to know the theory before deciding that facts are important. They are creative, innovative, and work with bursts of energy. N's will write their term paper and then finish the required outline. Intuitive people will always ask "why" before anything else. Intuitive students may not read a test question all the way through, sometimes missing a key part, because they act on their hunches.

3. Thinking-Feeling: This range tells how we make decisions.

Thinking (T) people decide on the basis of logic, analysis, and reason. They follow their head rather than their heart, value truth over tact, and sometimes appear blunt and uncaring about the feelings of others. T's usually have strongly held principles, value fairness over everything, and need purpose. People who must make decisions that negatively effect many individual lives (surgeons and corporation presidents) are often Thinking types.

Feeling (F) persons follow their heart rather than their head. They decide on the basis of their feelings, personal likes and dislikes. They want others to like them so find it difficult to say no or disagree with others. F's need and value kindness. Feeling types value harmony and are distressed by interpersonal friction. Feeling types are often found in social work, elementary school teaching, and other helping professions. They feel rewarded when they can help others.

4. Judging-Perceiving: This range suggests the type of life style and work habits we prefer.

Judging (J) types try to order and control their world. They are decisive, may be closed-minded, and are usually well organized. The meet deadlines, like planning, and prefer to work on only one thing at a time.

Perceiving (P) types are spontaneous and don't like to be boxed in by deadlines or plans. They want to gather more information before making a decision. They work at many things at once. P's are flexible and often good in emergencies when plans are disrupted. Their biggest problem is procrastination. They may make a calendar of things to do, but will probably lose it.

Michael

Elaine Nelson - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 10:10

I came out ISTP. But wondering how such a quick answer can have any meaning. Having taken the Meyer-Briggs test several time, I can't remember the conclusion.

Others' evaluations are probably more meaningful.

davidrlarson - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 11:25

INFJ/P

David Hamstra - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 11:48

INTP here, too, though I'm almost in the middle of the E-I continuum. The Typealyzer gave the same result for my blog.

David Hamstra
apokalupto

David Hamstra
Memory, Meaning & Faith

Johnny Ramírez-Jorge - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 13:31

ENTP.

huh.

priscilla - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 14:09

ESTJ

Jared Wright - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 15:38

What happened to Joe the Plumber's head in the image above? (What personality type asks a question like that?)

ellen - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 17:11

Interesting that my son Eric liked the writing style of David Hamstra - he is an INTJ but on the J in the middle between the J & P and David is an INTP

davidrlarson - Mon, 11/24/2008 - 18:01

Observer

Thank you for all your research. You have pinpointed a big problem; however, I think it is larger than the gay/lesbian ads, some of which would be offensive if they were about heterosexuals.

Over the last months I have also noticed a number of ads for other things that are contrary to the values of "Spectrum."

I know that advertisers allow one to block ads from certain groups. But it takes much time and effort to monitor the ads and then to make the changes with the sponsors.

I doubt very much that these ads are producing much revenue, though I could be wrong about this.

This is why I now think it would be best not to use any of these ad sources and rely on contributions, and specialty ads from SDA institutions, etc.

The challenge the members of the "Spectrum" team may have is that people like me and many others who support this project financially continually urge them to find other sources of revenue. "Why not more ads?" we often implore.

My understanding is that ads on blogs are financially successful only when there are huge numbers of visitors. The ratio of ad cliks to page views is not very high for anybody.

All in all, though I'm certainly happy to listen to other proposals, my view at this time is that we discontinue these sources of ads altogether.

Many thanks again, Observer! You have made good on your name!

Dave

mom2twoboys - Tue, 11/25/2008 - 06:46

INFP. Married to an ESTJ. Total, polar opposites. Makes life very interesting.

M

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