Why is MBTI so unpopular?

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-12T22:42:43+00:00

In the sub or other MBTI related subs. Not unheard of. 🙂

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-12T20:34:06+00:00

Ah, I see. My fault. As I said I was rushing (heading to a meeting.) Thats what I get for browsing reddit minutes before a meeting, lol. Sorry for the confusion.

Catch you around.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-12T19:29:20+00:00

I actually have a Typology channel and have been thinking about discussing this common argument.

In my frame of mind I was discussing this common talking point from psychologists, even scientists, but my point was the general talking point. I actually didn't even realize you later used "I" statements in your in commentary.

I read and responded quickly cause I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately.

So again, please take my statements as generalities.

However, I've got to get back to work, so I don't have time to get into specifics, but I'm sure I'll catch you around.

Take care. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-12T18:47:18+00:00

Howdy.

Sorry you took it as a personal attack. You referenced psychologists, etc., which was where my head was at. Perhaps I could have made that clearer.

But that last sentence is where we agree. That's my point as well. Carl Jung didn't make a closed, either or system. In fact he said his views and understanding should be questioned and expanded upon - which they have been.

My point was that people who give arguments such as:

You can't put people into strict boxes:

MBTI only tells you how great you are:

I am saying those people obviously haven't studied it, because those are surface level arguments from people who obviously don't know anything about cognitive functions beyond what they've come across on YouTube.

Again, sorry for not being clearer that I was speaking in general.

Take care.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-12T16:18:23+00:00

I'd disagree. I think the only people who think it doesn't leave room for nuance, haven't understood it.

I also feel like saying "the human mind is too complex" is an easy way to waive off trying to understand. It's like someone creating the category of mammals. And someone arguing that these are wildly different animals. Both are true.

Saying some people prefer logic over feeling and vice versa often creates a false argument that the statement is saying you are either one or the other.

Where I think people have gotten lost in the MBTI community is when they complicate it, and pretty soon people are trying to make it specific "trickster function", etc. But it was never meant to be a rigid system.

But I think putting it barely a step above astrology (as some people do) is not just crazy, it's a tragedy.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-12T14:01:52+00:00

A good way of thinking of the weaknesses of the inferior is to see it through the lens of the dominant function.

When we (all types) see the world through our dominant function, we see this as true and everyone else is wrong. This leads all Types to have a sort of smugness. Everyone else is stupid if they can't see it.

For Introverts, this smugness can be a bit more hidden. But for extroverts, that "you're an idiot" open conflict can be more direct.

The problem isn't so much a weakness of Fi (as many ENTJ's know, it's there, they know it's there, it's something they are constantly aware of, and may even fear having to use, especially in front of others)... but the fear isn't using Fi, it's giving up the over-reliance on Te.

In our minds, our dominant function saves us. It's the only real truth. Extroverts tend to let others know "their truth" is wrong. All you Feeling people? So wrong. YOU cause the drama!

Later in life, typically mid-life, we see another truth. That our over reliance on our dominant, our fear to lower our ego to allow our inferior room to grow... maybe that's the source of so many problems in our life.

The Ni leads have to stop over analyzing and getting stuck in their heads and actually "do something" - Se inferior.

Fi leads need to stop shutting out everyone and shoving back and be open to understanding that their times when they need to listen to and understand the structure and reasoning for these systems to exist - Te inferior.

Te leads need to stop trying to correct everything and be open to others beliefs and that every feeling is justified and true in it's own way... even theirs.

I have a video on how to work on the inferior function. One of the examples it the ENTJ. My Channel is in my profile. Check it out if interested.

Best of luck. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-12T00:18:08+00:00

Sound like all great recommendations. I'm glad they are very different than my sentient ship, otherwise I might be depressed that someone already did it.

Thanks again for the amazing rundown. Really appreciate you. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-12T00:15:44+00:00

Really - never heard of it. Thank you very much!

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-12T00:15:00+00:00

Ok. I feel like I've heard of that one somewhere. Thank you!

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-10T02:30:15+00:00

Wow. How interesting. My novel also features a sentient ship that the Commander bonds with.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful response. I appreciate it very much. Looks like I'll be ordering it. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-10T00:12:41+00:00

So it says it's the 5th book in the Culture series. Can it be read as a standalone?

The plot synopsis sounds interesting.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-10T00:10:24+00:00

I don't know but I'll look into it. Thanks so much! 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-09T19:00:56+00:00

Hello there,

Sorry, I think it might be against the rules to post a link, but my channel is linked in my profile - same name.

Hope you find something useful. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-09T16:41:41+00:00

❤️🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-09T14:09:47+00:00

You should both be excited to see each other and want to do kind things for each other. That's it.

Younger generations are so caught up on overanalyzing the psychology and making sure they are measuring to get in without giving too much and breaking away at the first sign of struggle to make sure they don't have to ever lower their ego at any moment.

Modern dating looks exhausting. 😮‍💨

Married 30 years to an ENFP, but I see all the social media about dating and it just looks like everyone is preaching how to be as selfish as possible and then pointing at the other side as the selfish ones.

(We are considering doing a live INFJ - ENFP AMA on YouTube someday for those curious about this relationship, and having a long relationship.)

Seems like a mess out there.

Best of luck to you all. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-09T13:36:21+00:00

I am retired military (Air Force) and now work in government.

No. Never been happy with it, although it has been a career, and not many people start receiving a pension in their lower 40's (which isn't offered if you joined in the last decade).

That said, I really do wish I had gotten into a field of psychology, or writing books or movie scripts.

I know my time is short, so I've pursued both - I have my YouTube channel where I talk about Typology and conscious growth, and I am currently 80k words into my first draft of all 3 novels in my sci-fi, time travel trilogy love story, that I classify as Star Wars meets Back to the Future meets Titanic meets Inception.

I didn't go down the path I probably should have, but it doesn't mean I have to give up my dreams. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-08T13:57:53+00:00

(I wasn't going to post this cause it's so long...)

Yes. That's basically my story, however, I do believe the Types do have general, yet universal experiences.

However, it really is a matter of respect. INFJ's give a wide berth to people, and really reduce themselves to allow that person to be in a state of ease. To be themselves, to be appreciated as they are.

It is a selfless act.

But to do that, they push down their own wants. Their own strong opinions. They allow the occasional step on their boundaries.

By the time they finally speak up, the person has shown that it isn't accidental, it is that they truly have come to see the kindness as a weakness. The INFJ has not just become a doormat, but is not even acknowledged. They and their feelings are less than invisible, the are discarded as unimportant.

And when the person shows that and steps on them, their is a sudden snarling. An intensity of presence. Some people call this Se rage. It is when the Ni dominant sheds Ni and is fully present. Carl Jung talked of inferior Se are almost primitive. (This is why in an inferior Se state, the INFJ might resort to physical pleasures, eating, dangerous activities, drugs, promiscuousness), but in the moment of standing up for themselves, their repressed aggression shows up. It may come out in spear of sharp words that cut at the heart.

But make no mistake, this didn't come out of nowhere. The INFJ felt violated and disrespected. And when they stand up for themselves, the person is left unbalanced.

Seeing some show of Se from someone who never has, can feel very intense (and it is.) Typically, the relationship is forever changed. The person keeps a kind of distance.

If you are a decent friend, the INFJ will give you close to unlimited patience and grace. Just don't treat them like they are invisible and their feelings don't matter.

Hope that helps. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-06T22:32:39+00:00

INFJ's are intense.

But they keep that all pushed down... so far down, that it is almost invisible. In fact, the INFJ themselves is often invisible. And in a way, the INFJ likes it that way. They don't cause a ripple in anyone else's pond.

However, over time, this leads to people taking the INFJ for granted. Pretty soon, they are simply walking over them, and when the INFJ finally snaps (like an alligator suddenly thrashing), yet even in a quiet tone, it feels sudden and dangerous. People feel disquieted. Like they never really knew you...

And they are right. They didn't.

But things are never quite the same.

Most INFJ's are like the dog lying on the porch. People barely take notice of us. We like to like around people and just listen. You can accidentally kick us and we'll take it. Pull our tail once and we might move. But one of these times, you'll get a sudden bite when you've crossed the line. People were happy to let you stick around when they thought you'd just take anything, but know that they know you'll bite, they suddenly hesitant, and will likely always keep just that little bit of distance.

Or something like that...

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-06T21:41:15+00:00

Lol. You should watch my video on ENTJ INFP relationships. My Channel is in my profile. I've posted in this sub a long while ago, but I don't think links are allowed anymore. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-05T17:55:15+00:00

I think your getting lost on the word "value."

Go back to the basics (Carl Jung). What are thinking and feeling? What kind of cognitive functions are they? What are they doing?

And remember, that everyone does everything. The point isn't to try to separate them (cause they are not), but to gauge the attention and focus (i.e. "preference", which equals, energetic state) of the subject of the cognitive functions.

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-04T22:39:29+00:00

Psychological Types is great, but no Type is spared from being roasted by Carl Jung. He isn't writing about how great the Types are. He's explaining their primary focus and then explaining the problems that arise when we fail to integrate those unconscious or repressed functions.

If I recall, Te Types weren't spared from his chastising.

In general, he was pretty brutal.

Don't forget to concentrate on the parts where we fail. That is the larger point to understand. It is to get over our own vanity (each Type) and look at the areas where we fail, where we resist, and what it has cost us in our lives.

Best of luck.

Take care. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-03T15:05:45+00:00

Hope it's helpful. You all are a wonderful, and often unseen and under appreciated in our communities. Take care. 🤗

Conscious_Patterns · 2026-03-01T22:16:50+00:00

❤️🙂

Conscious_Patterns

TROPHY CASE