INTP Only Forum

[Hustler]

I know I've brought this up before, but how about an INTP-only forum?

[Claverhouse]

Be more specific: do you mean a sub wherein only known intps may go, or a purging of non-intps from the whole site ?


Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Dr. Haight]

Oh, can I choose? Please, please, please.

[Claverhouse]

It's Hustler's idea: he must decide.

*either way: looks forward to the denunciations and subsequent eliminations of persons in the intp forum for being fakes: 'You, sir, are no INTP !'*


Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Dr. Haight]

Actually, the first thing I thought of was, "Can I choose who the intp's are?"

[Claverhouse]

Most certainly not: the very first thing to be done would be to demand that every entrant undertake an official MBTI text administered and sworn to by a fully-certificated box-ticker; then scan the results and upload them to an admin for verification, and a good laugh.

Then you can choose which ones you think are intps --- which may not be the people Hustler thinks are intps.

Then you start a flame-war on the subject.


Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Dr. Haight]

Here, here. I will administer the test then.

Perfect. Let me get my paperwork in order.

[Hustler]

A subforum for INTPs only. I'm actually in favor of ejecting all non-INTPs, but I'm sure that idea won't fly, so my official proposal is for the subforum.

[Dr. Haight]

That's a good idea, but what about our arguments - although they are shrouded in sarcasm.

[melancholeric]

Easy: if someone types "INTP" to their profile they will have access to the sub.

How can you make everything so goddamn difficult.

[Dr. Haight]

...it's easy.

[melancholeric]

Of course, that'd mean that I couldn't access that sub. But I'm not sure if I care: a forum without CC is not worth reading.

[Claverhouse]

So Hustler would revel in the company of fellow intps such as zhang_bob and bergenski, yet reject a melancholeric.

Snob.


Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Hustler]

So Hustler would revel in the company of fellow intps such as zhang_bob and bergenski, yet reject a melancholeric.

I was under the impression that zhang_bob was going to become a permanent Purgatorian (if he isn't already) or maybe just fall off the face of INTPc altogether (or be pushed off). Whatever the case, zhang_bob isn't much of a concern.

I don't think anyone revels in the company of bergenski. Not even bergenski. Except maybe Nemesis, but he wouldn't be invited to the INTP-only party anyway. The INTP-only forum wouldn't be a place for reveling in the presence of others so much as a place where unwanted outsiders wouldn't be able to revel in our presence.

And, yes, melancholeric would have to be denied entry on account of not being an INTP.

[melancholeric]

Unless, of course, I go and type "INTP" in the profile. But I'm too lazy.

[Hustler]

Unless, of course, I go and type "INTP" in the profile. But I'm too lazy.

Hmm, maybe you are an INTP.

[s0978]

So there don't seem to be any real reasons as to why we shouldn't be able to try this.

[mgb]

I like the idea, but I can see some people not liking it. Although, I don't see why, when it comes at such a low cost to the forum.

So, I propose a test. A thread stating only INTPs can respond to it. How many non-INTPs will respond to it? If it's a lot, maybe it's needed.

[melancholeric]

That reminds me of songbird starting a thread for non-INTPs only. And you do remember what happened to it.

I guess the same thing would happen to your thread too.

[mgb]

That reminds me of songbird starting a thread for non-INTPs only. And you do remember what happened to it.

I guess the same thing would happen to your thread too.

Maybe. But she did start it on an INTP forum. Being that I'm starting it on an INTP forum, maybe it'll be different.

[melancholeric]

Maybe. Or maybe not. There's one way to find out.

Almost like solving the brick & windshield problem.

[s0978]

I like the idea, but I can see some people not liking it. Although, I don't see why, when it comes at such a low cost to the forum.

So, I propose a test. A thread stating only INTPs can respond to it. How many non-INTPs will respond to it? If it's a lot, maybe it's needed.So you don't see why, but no -- so it's just that you're a pansy?

[Hustler]

So, I propose a test. A thread stating only INTPs can respond to it. How many non-INTPs will respond to it? If it's a lot, maybe it's needed.

Aren't there some of those already?

[Sackanaka]

I know the benefits of an exclusive subforum for INTPs seem obvious, but I'm pretty skeptical about the long-term benefits of having one. As in, I imagine that within the first two days of erection, the priveleged will lapse and left wanting for newer, fresher things than it's already tasted.

Could be because I'm sour.

[mgb]

So you don't see why, but no -- so it's just that you're a pansy?

No, I don't see why they wouldn't like the idea. I like it. And I don't think it would hurt the overall quality of the forum.

[s0978]

I don't think having threads marked "INTPs Only" is anything like having a private subforum. The fact that others still have read-access will interfere with the dialogue. For instance, maybe I'd like to discuss NFs in a manner which I believe might hurt their feelings. I don't think I can, and I think others don't think they can either, and so a lot gets left unsaid. Maybe one would think that's my problem, and fair enough, so it is, but then understand that regardless of who is being a pansy, there is potential dialogue which isn't happening. (I don't really have that much to say about NFs I haven't already, it's more a hypothetical.)

Claver implies a good point, which is what is the point of an INTP-only forum, there are still zhang_bobs and bergenskis. And frankly, I don't really care about an INTP-only forum, I am more just in favor of private ones.

So I presume that sounds quite snobbish. But I don't actually think it's merely about being mean-spirited. People gain validation from others they identify with, and define themselves by commonalities, who they are "unlike" as well as "like." Maybe INTPs especially, isn't that sort of the underlying premise of this site anyway. Not to interact with everybody and anybody, but to converse with those with whom we think we have something in common.

I think that's why "popular members" threads happen so often. You can dismiss them as juvenile (and at a certain level they are), but they are recurrent because they are our nerdy ways of validating and encouraging those with whom we especially identify. It's been a long time since I've earnestly participated in one of those. I feel a little badly when posters feel excluded. But partially I also feel like "well post some good shit then, don't expect to be liked just for signing up." And not that there is such a thing as an objectively good or bad post, or being universally likeable, or that intpc should be about finding cliques, but I believe that?s just the stuff of social dynamics.

So anyway, if it's about building communities, I think it's short-sighted to resist subforums on the perception of exclusivity or potential snobbery. Because I don't really see it as "I am better than zhang-bob," I see it more like "I don't have much in common with that guy -- he seems to have more in common with those guys."

Anyway, I am just babbling now, and not making any specific suggestions about what kind of private subforums I am advocating. But I just hope that the general idea is given some real consideration and not summarily dismissed as being about childish trouble-making. Personally, I'd be inclined to post more and believe it would raise the signal-to-noise ratio for everyone.

[melancholeric]

For instance, maybe I'd like to discuss NFs in a manner which I believe might hurt their feelings.
Making NFs cry is one of my favourite pastimes.

And if they come to an INTP site, well, they can sort of expect getting hurt a bit. Because we aren't exactly as diplomatic as they are.

For the rest, I pretty much agree with you.

[MyDogHasFleas]

Hey there. Claver invited me to this party.

i have 2 things to contribute to this thread.

1) They do this already over on wrongplanet.net which is a site for Autism Spectrum Disorders (I am a self-diagnosed Aspie). They have a Members Only forum, you have to be registered to read it, and you have to declare your status (Asperger's - Undiagnosed is me).

2) No one has really said what the goal of having an INTP-only forum is. Only the mechanics and process. Who cares about the mechanics and process if you don't have a goal? So... why do we want this? Is it:

a) to encourage INTPs to be more forthcoming, knowing that only other INTPs (modulo our screening process) will see their posts?

b) to have a place where existing annoying non-INTPers don't read/post?

c) other.. ???

I am just not sure myself. But I do know for damnsure that if you don't have a one-sentence description of WHY and WHAT the forum is for, it won't be used the way you want it to be.

Of course, it still MAY fail if you DO have the good goal and description... but... c'est la guerre.

[CoHo]

A goal isn't necessary for a sub-forum. It will either stand on its own or not.

This isn't serious business, it's a forum. What's wrong with trying something just to see if it works or not?

[Claverhouse]

But it would be nice to have some actual idea of what would be said in an INTP-Only sub that can't be said elsewhere.


Claverhouse :ph34r:

[CoHo]

There really isn't any way to answer that. People can offer ideas of what they might say... but really it is anyone's guess.

The only thing worth doing is to take the idea (any idea) and see if there is public interest and administrative willingness. Everything else is circumstantial.

[Hustler]

But it would be nice to have some actual idea of what would be said in an INTP-Only sub that can't be said elsewhere.

I would tell you, but there were too many non-INTPs invited to this forum.

[melancholeric]

Well, you can always PM the INTPs of this forum.

[Hustler]

But it would be nice to have some actual idea of what would be said in an INTP-Only sub that can't be said elsewhere.

I've thought about your question, and I have to say it really isn't about being able to say something in the company of only INTPs and not in mixed company, but it comes down to thread development. Whenever I post a thread, I expect some contribution and some derailment. It is an inevitability at an internet forum. What I like about INTPc is that INTPs generally contribute to and derail threads in a way I like (obviously, there are exceptions, such as the aforementioned zhang_bob) and other types are far more likely to devalue and derail threads in ways that annoy me. A nice feature of an INTP-only forum would be that discussions throughout a thread would be more likely to appeal to me than they would when other types start hopping in and throwing in their idiotic/irrelevant/nonsensical "contributions." The other types frequently just get in the way.

[MyDogHasFleas]

A goal isn't necessary for a sub-forum. It will either stand on its own or not.

This isn't serious business, it's a forum. What's wrong with trying something just to see if it works or not?

Nothing "wrong"... but if you don't have a goal, how will you know if it worked?

The goal can be... "This is an experimental forum, limited to INTPers only, to see if discussions can be more useful and focused when limited in that way. If it becomes popular, we will retain and expand it." Or something like that.

[MyDogHasFleas]

I've thought about your question, and I have to say it really isn't about being able to say something in the company of only INTPs and not in mixed company, but it comes down to thread development. Whenever I post a thread, I expect some contribution and some derailment. It is an inevitability at an internet forum. What I like about INTPc is that INTPs generally contribute to and derail threads in a way I like (obviously, there are exceptions, such as the aforementioned zhang_bob) and other types are far more likely to devalue and derail threads in ways that annoy me. A nice feature of an INTP-only forum would be that discussions throughout a thread would be more likely to appeal to me than they would when other types start hopping in and throwing in their idiotic/irrelevant/nonsensical "contributions." The other types frequently just get in the way.

this is a good goal statement. To make it one sentence, try this:

"This subforum is limited to INTPs only, to encourage content that appeals to other INTPers."

[shum]

For instance, maybe I'd like to discuss NFs in a manner which I believe might hurt their feelings.

i dont wanna join your stupid club anyway...


:sadbanana:

[s0978]

i dont wanna join your stupid club anyway...


:sadbanana:good! silly feeler, and a dirty extrovert at that!!



*pretends not to have secret crush on shum*

[shum]

good! silly feeler, and a dirty extrovert at that!!



*pretends not to have secret crush on shum*

you just made me cry and smile at the same time.

:wub:

[s0978]

you just made me cry and smile at the same time.

:wub:
hahaha, you sap!




*can't decide whether to use :wubby: or not*

*oh, goddammit, fuck*

:wub:

[melancholeric]

hahaha, you sap!




*can't decide whether to use :wubby: or not*

*oh, goddammit, fuck*

:wub:
For posterity.

[shum]

hahaha, you sap!




*can't decide whether to use :wubby: or not*

*oh, goddammit, fuck*

:wub:

now wasnt that fun?

you guys do need us. ;)

[melancholeric]

now wasnt that fun?

you guys do need us. ;)
About as much as a cow needs a milking machine.

[shum]

About as much as a cow needs a milking machine.

ouch!

hey!if you are going to be mean to NFs, you should do it privately.

like in a separate forum or something.

[melancholeric]

This is why we need an INTP only forum: to spare the poor NFs' fragile feelings from us.

[s0978]

This is why we need an INTP only forum: to spare the poor NFs' fragile feelings from us.you do realize - I think we just played right into her hands.

This is why we need a separate forum. Those guys are always manipulating us and our feelings. Can't think straight for those bullies.