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View Full Version : Ahead of the trend, in it, or behind?



composer
27 Jan 2010, 02:49 PM
I've noticed that I tend to see trends long before most people do, but that I don't participate in them until long after. For example, I saw the Mozilla browser in 1993, before the big internet hit, and told my fiancée that it would change the world. But I didn't get really involved in the net until later after it matured around 2003.

Another example, when consumer digital cameras broke the 1M pixel barrier, I was scoffed at for saying it would change photography. Those people who scoffed later realized I was right and got on the upgrade bandwagon. I didn't buy a digital until 2005, and only upgraded that one this year. Only now am I really using the technology fully.

One exception was for investing. I recognized the global financial crisis (actually it's more than just a financial crisis) in 2005. I sold my house and fully invested in long Treasury bonds, then sold them after 55% appreciation in late 2008 at the peak. I was tired of being late to the party when it comes to money, so decided to use my anticipation skills there.

It makes sense, as an INTP I don't like going with the crowd, so I like to forecast, then get into something when it's later matured and the hype has worn off.

Edit: an exception was the dot.com - I didn't anticipate the bubble nor the crash. But thats what led to me being more careful about anticipating financial events. I was tired of being behind the curve.

CEOofRawness
5 Feb 2010, 02:02 PM
I think all true INTPs could anticipate trends, if we bother to keep up with them anyway.

spamtar
9 Feb 2010, 06:13 PM
Needs to be an option of:

Anticipates trends and stops participating in them once they become trends.

Lucylie
9 Feb 2010, 06:22 PM
Needs to be an option of:

Anticipates trends and stops participating in them once they become trends.

This.

avolkiteshvara
9 Feb 2010, 06:25 PM
Outside of the trend.

MacGuffin
9 Feb 2010, 07:14 PM
I was thinking of buying an iPod.

Lurker
9 Feb 2010, 07:16 PM
I was thinking of buying an iPod.

I got my first cell phone last year. :yes:

kali
11 Feb 2010, 03:24 AM
I was thinking of buying an iPod.

I remember when I was 15 I begged my dad not to waste money on an iPod. Being the nice, caring, and retarded father he is, he bought me one anyway, and upon hearing the superior quality flowing from my new iPod mini, I immediately bowed on my knees and prayed to Steve Jobs and my dad for forgiveness, and in the upcoming days I showed my further thanks by sacrificing a small goat.

Spartan26
11 Feb 2010, 04:50 AM
This.

Seconded.

Some things I can spot and will jump on them. Stocks. Bands. Talent. Fashion I don't know. Don't care so much but a few times of late when I've gone out for new clothes or shoes I've asked if it's at it's peak or past, like the elf toed shoes. Some groups and some things I'm surprised at how much they break out. I hate going to places that are considered trendy. Well, half the time I don't find out until they're on their way out but I really hate finding something true and real and then it gets discovered, blows up and turns into something it was not.

INThoughtPolice
11 Feb 2010, 08:56 AM
Protest! Anticipate and don't participate.

kali
11 Feb 2010, 12:28 PM
Um, let's just say it's circumstantial.

Possible poll inclusions:
Anticipate and don't participate (as mentioned above)
Don't anticipate and don't participate, at all
Ignorant of trends and unwittingly participates, only in hindsight realises this
Ignorant of trends and doesn't participate
THE EXCLUSION OF POLL ANONYMITY

Notsweetynice
11 Feb 2010, 08:54 PM
I observe trends while they are happening while others are participating in them and don't realize they are even following a trend. I will participate in a trend if it is an actual improvement over older methods. I see others who don't notice trends at all ever as being asperger like.

Chaselation
11 Feb 2010, 09:22 PM
Needs to be an option of:

Anticipates trends and stops participating in them once they become trends.

This for sure. I usually envision a technology that should exist as it's being developed. It follows as a natural extension of it's predecessors.

Those that would get a 20 Mega pixel camera to post pictures on Facebook while ignoring the plethora of features it has are annoying.