NTs vs. "nerds" in media

[HairlessBluetick]

Grr... I just typed this big long thing and then lost it somehow... so I'm just gonna summarize.

I was just thinking about how NTs (and INTPs in particular) are portrayed in movies and on TV, and I realized a couple of pretty common inaccuracies (or at least contrary to what my experience with NTs has been.)

First: Arrogance. NTs are generally understood to be relatively arrogant folks, either in their own heads or in the heads of others. This is curiously absent from your standard TV/movie "nerd."

and Second: Prudishness. Nerds in the media are usually considered not only abstinent, but also stray from drugs, alcohol, and other socially unacceptable behaviours. Most of the INTPs I have known (and met on this board) have little or no regard for what society says is allowed, prefering to follow their own standards of what is right and wrong.

Any comments on this? I thought it was sort of interesting. It kind of says something about the way that we are perceived by others, especially those in the mainstream.

[Niflheimian]

Interesting, I just started a thread similar ("Why Nerds are Unpopular").
Heh, shameless plug.

[cjs55]

I think mostly TJ's are going to naturally come off as arrogant. They probably are the most 'arrogant' of the types, however that word certainly isn't entirely accurate. Just if I had to use it to describe a type, xxTJ would be closest.

NTP's just don't seem as arrogant to me at all, but I suppose they likely still do seem arrogant to other people. Thats just because other people don't realize that I don't fully believe anything I say =p, and often assume that I'm being an elitist prick.

Of course, I do consider myself an elitist prick on some points...so maybe you're right.

As far as the whole nerd thing goes, I think nerds are more likely to be ISTPs than INTPs (mainly just because there are more ISTPs than INTPs), but thats just a clarification based on my experience alone. If true, then maybe the definition of nerd is not just based off of NT's which could explain some inconsistency.

Ugh, I'm rambling about things that don't matter again.

[Avengardh]

Personally I think I am an actual exception to INTPs as well, but I agree with your points ^_^.

~*Aven*~

[file cabinet]

stereotypes are just that.. stereotypes...

[Arcael]

well im arrogant, but i do drugs and have date so it cant be right.

[Arioch]

I wonder if movie nerds are made that way by F's?

[lauriep]

Maybe some of the nerd media images are put there by other types to make them feel better. INTx are said to be arrogant and can sometimes seem to "see through" other more superficial types. Frankly I don't fit in in society and never really cared to. Could this be taken as a threatening behavior by people that are more conformists?

[cloakable]

Maybe some of the nerd media images are put there by other types to make them feel better. INTx are said to be arrogant and can sometimes seem to "see through" other more superficial types. Frankly I don't fit in in society and never really cared to. Could this be taken as a threatening behavior by people that are more conformists?

From what my ENFP friend tells me, it's EXTREMELY threatening behavior, cause they are unable to comprehend that viewpoint. True, for me the feeling is mutual, but I don't feel threatend by it.

[PsiKik]

and Second: Prudishness. Nerds in the media are usually considered not only abstinent, but also stray from drugs, alcohol, and other socially unacceptable behaviours. Most of the INTPs I have known (and met on this board) have little or no regard for what society says is allowed, prefering to follow their own standards of what is right and wrong.


This is so true. Some people at my work were surprised that I drank alcohol, they just assumed I didn't.

[cloakable]

and Second: Prudishness. Nerds in the media are usually considered not only abstinent, but also stray from drugs, alcohol, and other socially unacceptable behaviours. Most of the INTPs I have known (and met on this board) have little or no regard for what society says is allowed, prefering to follow their own standards of what is right and wrong.


This is so true. Some people at my work were surprised that I drank alcohol, they just assumed I didn't.

Most people assume I drink alcohol, find out that I don't dring much anymore, then express shock (and usually disbelief) at my tolerance for it.

[Claverhouse]

Mainstream movies and TV-shows (i.e.: the lot of them) are of worthless quality. It sells because it reflects mainstream taste, being equally cheap.


This could never be better said.



Claverhouse :ph34r:


[ The pimps and whores who organise the democratic media are certainly to blame; but not half as despicable as the clients they pander to ].

[ Try also to account for the fact that Will Smith is seen as a figure of rebellion ].

[cloakable]

[ Try also to account for the fact that Will Smith is seen as a figure of rebellion ].

I really don't want to pollute my brain with that kind of stuff. I can observe this kind of sociological behavior, but have difficulty understanding it.

Like I can know that people hang around in a 'kru' for mutual reasurance, but cannot understand that viewpoint. Mabye an EF could, but I'm not EF.

[Arioch]

I just happend to see a very INTx (INTP I think) character a few days ago. He was called "Harrin" from "Star Trek: Voyager".

Apparently he spend all his time in "Deck 15" in his little corner where almost nobody ever bothers him. He's sarcastic, insulting and rude at times with a obsessive fondness for Cosmology. Almost never speaks to anyone and prefers it that way. Loves to make theories but never actually wants to put them into practise and considers almost everyone his intellectual inferior.

I liked him immediately.

[cloakable]

I just happend to see a very INTx (INTP I think) character a few days ago. He was called "Harrin" from "Star Trek: Voyager".

Apparently he spend all his time in "Deck 15" in his little corner where almost nobody ever bothers him. He's sarcastic, insulting and rude at times with a obsessive fondness for Cosmology. Almost never speaks to anyone and prefers it that way. Loves to make theories but never actually wants to put them into practise and considers almost everyone his intellectual inferior.

I liked him immediately.

:D What episode was that? I'll get a friend to clone the DVD, sounds interesting.

[Arioch]

I just happend to see a very INTx (INTP I think) character a few days ago. He was called "Harrin" from "Star Trek: Voyager".

Apparently he spend all his time in "Deck 15" in his little corner where almost nobody ever bothers him. He's sarcastic, insulting and rude at times with a obsessive fondness for Cosmology. Almost never speaks to anyone and prefers it that way. Loves to make theories but never actually wants to put them into practise and considers almost everyone his intellectual inferior.

I liked him immediately.

:D What episode was that? I'll get a friend to clone the DVD, sounds interesting.

"Good Shepherd"

Janeway is such a INFJ. I can't imagine her being any other type... well perhaps ENFJ but I doubt it. She will never be my favorite captain but she's become better since she's "let her hair down"

[hemanthraz]

As for the typical image of nerds being all puny and not doing anything physical, its just not true with real nerds.

im one myself, and i love to go on a hike as much as working my ass off to code in assembly, where c would do just fine.I dont do it because it would make a better product, i do it because i want to convince myself that i can.

and btw, all the nerds i know smoke/drink/and lets say do other stuff too...

[Seraph]

Don't forget, media nerds are always fat, ugly, pale, glasses-sporting, braces-wearing, frizzy-haired wimps.

Well, I'm on the pale side (shy about wearing shorts, y'know), but I don't think I fit that stereotype.

[Boozer]

I wouldn't call myself arrogant. In fact I probably don't have enough confidence in my intellectual ability. I'm not very athletic, and I don't drink too much, but I smoke like a chimney. I would say most INTP's are less like the movie nerd and more like the absent-minded professor.

[Werdna]

I don't mind being seen as arrogant on topics I think I know something about. But I'm always open to criticism, and I know I'm not a genius. I think a lot of INT's probably aren't very arrogant because of lacking social skills, self confidence and such. MBTI doesn't measure that.
I suppose INTPs could become like movie nerds because that is what 'society' expects them to be, but the few ones I have met certainly weren't. I sit in front of a computer all day and I'm reasonably good at math, so people assume I'm a nerd. And when they see me drinking or smoking they always get very surprised.