[ParfaitMan]

Most ISTPs mistype as Rationals. I use Ti-Ni to a much higher degree, yet I'm too here-and-now, hyperactive, and definitely not curious enough. I don't use my Se often at all, but I gain a lot of information and often have epiphanies because of my experiences.

I don't know if I just lived in a very SJ/NF environment, or if I was too much of a loner, but before I discovered I was an ISTP, I never thought there was a soul out there like me. I'm still always surprised when I read ISTP Wiki or read comments on this forum because it seems like I wrote them myself. I love philosophizing, exploration/discovery, reading, writing, and sharing my ideas, and I do these things on a regular basis, but I never belonged in the stereotypical "nerd" or Rational category. Unless something pertains to a subject I care about, or it's useful and relevant, I won't stick around to listen.




Which brings me to my question: Are we really all that common? Why have I never met anyone like myself? Am I just a weird breed of ISTP?

Side note: I've never really liked Math and Science all that much. I'm not sure if it's because no one else ever piqued my interest in it, or because I don't find it useful. Rationals tend to be curious about everything regardless of stimulation, no?

[MissFixit]

My daughter is an NT and I notice this about her -- she's endlessy fascinated by everything, but I have to really care about something first before I'll spend any energy on it.

Math and science are boring if you don't have an interest in it.

I don't know any other women like me IRL, definitely. But part of our problem is that we don't socialize. You would never find me at a party. (Unless there is a lot of alcohol and I'm trolling for someone who can answer an electrical wiring problem that I'm having. Not that I've done that...)

[ParfaitMan]

@MissFixit

Have you met a lot of men like you? Are we only rare in women?

[MissFixit]

One of my male friends is ISTP. He's a computer coding god. I just emailed him today when I blew up my website and he was fixing it...

it's like talking to myself. loads of fun, he fixed my code and I told him how to fix his porcelain bathtub. Then we don't talk again for a while.

He even said "ok i'll fix your shit today when I'm bored with my other work" - and I was like "of course"

we even dated when we were high schoolers. We didn't really have physical chemistry so we were better off friends.

I *think* I know one other woman who might be ISTP, but she works the night shift as an EMT, and when she's off work she's bike racing. So I never see her.

[MissFixit]

all that blathering was to say that I've only met maybe two other ISTPs IRL.

[ParfaitMan]

Is it possible that the curiosity can be knocked out of an NT? Or is it an unalterable part of their being, just like fun and excitement is for the ISTP?

I feel like if someone forced me to live in ignorance, I'd rebel and have an undying thirst and appreciation for knowledge (even the non-useful things). Maybe I'm just sick of school and hate being forced to learn from bad teachers?

[Ikari_T]

I might have met other ISTPs before. We either "acknowledge" each other as in being casual acquaintances or just not talk to each other at all. Other ISTPs are never close friends with me. We're much too alike. I'm not a fan of BORING.

[ParfaitMan]

@Ikari_T

I feel like I have a lot to say, just not to most people. Know what I mean?

[Benja]

I might have met other ISTPs before. We either "acknowledge" each other as in being casual acquaintances or just not talk to each other at all. Other ISTPs are never close friends with me. We're much too alike. I'm not a fan of BORING.

We're not fucking boring!

[Ikari_T]

So maybe the people I met are not ISTPs. Problem solved!