YSaturday, April 21, 2007

Scientific Methods on That Which is Unscientific

For those of you who are in ACJC, you would know that the entire J1 cohort of about 1000 students were required to take the MBTI, which stands for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a very fancy and posh sounding word for personality test. You would also know that we were asked to participate in this activity quite a while ago. Perhaps a month or so ago? Sorry, I have a terrible memory for these sort of things.

Anyway, the MBTI is surprisingly complex, much more so than the unrefined and vague personality test which you find on the internet, that only classifies people into 4 personality types. (How fascinating! After two hundred thousand years of evolution, there are only 4 general types of people in the world.) It seems as though the people behind the MBTI actually did proper research to come up with the system. There are 16 basic personality types in the MBTI. The MBTI test was carried out in strict circumstances. (No, they didn't patrol the hall silently, their keen eyes darting across the room, punishing people for looking at each others' scripts.) However, we weren't allowed to keep the question paper or the answer sheet, which I assume was to prevent other people who haven't taken the test to gain possession of any material that could influence their outcome should they make the decision to take the test. We were also not allowed to tell anyone the specific details of the test. Secretive stuff. Anyway, my personality type is ENTP. What that stands for, I can't remember.

Here is the description given to people of my personality type. (Lifted directly from some website, of course.)

"Clever" is the word that perhaps describes ENTPs best. The professor who juggles half a dozen ideas for research papers and grant proposals in his mind while giving a highly entertaining lecture on an abstruse subject is a classic example of the type. So is the stand-up comedian whose lampoons are not only funny, but incisively accurate.

ENTPs are usually verbally as well as cerebrally quick, and generally love to argue--both for its own sake, and to show off their often-impressive skills. They tend to have a perverse sense of humor as well, and enjoy playing devil's advocate. They sometimes confuse, even inadvertently hurt, those who don't understand or accept the concept of argument as a sport.

ENTPs are as innovative and ingenious at problem-solving as they are at verbal gymnastics; on occasion, however, they manage to outsmart themselves. This can take the form of getting found out at "sharp practice"--ENTPs have been known to cut corners without regard to the rules if it's expedient -- or simply in the collapse of an over-ambitious juggling act. Both at work and at home, ENTPs are very fond of "toys"--physical or intellectual, the more sophisticated the better. They tend to tire of these quickly, however, and move on to new ones.

ENTPs are basically optimists, but in spite of this (perhaps because of it?), they tend to become extremely petulant about small setbacks and inconveniences. (Major setbacks they tend to regard as challenges, and tackle with determination.) ENTPs have little patience with those they consider wrongheaded or unintelligent, and show little restraint in demonstrating this. However, they do tend to be extremely genial, if not charming, when not being harassed by life in general.

In terms of their relationships with others, ENTPs are capable of bonding very closely and, initially, suddenly, with their loved ones. Some appear to be deceptively offhand with their nearest and dearest; others are so demonstrative that they succeed in shocking co-workers who've only seen their professional side. ENTPs are also good at acquiring friends who are as clever and entertaining as they are. Aside from those two areas, ENTPs tend to be oblivious of the rest of humanity, except as an audience -- good, bad, or potential.

This summary begs the question, am I really like that? Is it an accurate and concise description of my character? I think it does describe me somewhat accurately, however, I don't think I'm the best person to be the judge of my own character, odd as that may seem. It's difficult to have an objective view and to see one's own flaws, no matter how obvious they may be to those around. Then again, maybe I am not at all like what I was told I'm supposed to be like. How can I be classified into a certain type after a 10 minute written test? Perhaps I just accepted what was told of me at face value. I chose not to question the results because I was told it was correct.

Another possibility is that the the test results are accurate, but only for those who answered the questions truthfully. While doing the test, I became vaguely aware of how the questions were structured, what the questions were trying to find out, and how they were ordered. So basically, I could manipulate the answers to be what I wanted them to be. Did I make a subconscious attempt to "choose" my personality type? I remember answering this certain type of question in the same way. I chose to do so. It is possible I tried to choose who I am, but I think it's highly unlikely. I don't think I would choose to be the same kind of person that Javier is. Then again, maybe the test is designed in a way such that these situations are taken into consideration. Does the MBTI know that I know how their test is carried out? That would be devious. I feel violated.
There is one more possibility. I know today's post is full of unanswered questions and things that may or may not be true. Bear with me. The MBTI is utter nonsense. How dare they try to define me? I am unique, there is no one else like me on this planet. Who are they to stick a label on my forehead, and classify me as they see fit? How can anyone even have the bravery to proclaim that they fully understand human thought and emotion? There are so many things that we don't fully comprehend about our physical bodies, let alone our spiritual and mental capacities.

I feel so drained. Asking myself such thought-provoking queries have left me more unsure with myself than when I started. Such abstract ideas have a way of causing me to start questioning everything around me. Pondering these complex issues will leave me curled up on my bed tonight with eyes wide open, heart racing, and concepts rushing through my head.

Now if you will excuse me, it's time for me to watch Pokemon.

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Blogged @ 8:18 PM

YTuesday, April 10, 2007

Let Us Delve Into The Unknown

"This sucks badly."

An oft-repeated phrase that can be heard being uttered as one traverses the many hallways of the various institutions of education and knowledge across our proud country. It can refer to a variety of things. I would rather not say, lest I be persecuted for my opinions.

However, let us take a closer examination at the phrase, and analyze its intended meaning. Be warned, the truth will set you free.

I have come up with two interpretations.

1. To begin with, "sucks badly" can be considered one phrase. Thus "sucks badly" is the description of "this". It would mean that the magnitude of suckage would be considered to be very high. That would give the phrase the meaning of "I am in a terrible situation" or something else similar.

2. The "badly" refers to "sucks". Hence it can be interpreted as "this" is very bad at sucking, which would inadvertently mean that "this" doesn't suck in the least bit, and perhaps could even be said to, might I say, rule. This would give a completely opposite meaning from the one derived in my first interpretation. The second meaning of the phrase would be similar to "My current circumstances are enviable."

It would seem, that with my inconclusive conclusion, I haven't really done anything of considerable significance. However, there is one lesson to be learned today. You would do well to commit it to memory, for it may have an impact on your existence. This fact will change your life.

Today, we have learned, that I have too much free time on my hands.

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Blogged @ 7:59 PM

YFriday, April 6, 2007

Desperation

Sweet merciful God. Look what Wayne has brought upon me.

He's forced me to do this.

These are the rules: Each player of this game starts out by giving 6 weird things about themselves. People who get tagged need to write in a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state the rules clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. After you do that, leave them each a comment letting them know you tagged them and to read your blog!

I'm losing the will to live.

It pains me to think how far I've fallen. Is this a bottomless pit into which I've been thrust unwillingly, doomed to forever sink lower and lower into the depths of mediocrity, and eventually, into that which is (gasp!) below average?!

Anyway, I am certain that sometime in the past I foolishly stated that I would post updates every Thursday and Sunday. That was, on hindsight, a terrible mistake. First of all, I am not an everlasting fountain gushing forth with fantastical thoughts and ingenious ideas. I cannot come up with new material on a constant basis. I do suffer from mental blocks occasionally. Secondly, I am prone to have the occasional bout of tiredness or fatigue. Sometimes there's homework to be done. Other times, movies need to be watched. Everything has their own personal needs. I can't let those go unnoticed.

So, from now on, I'll update whenever I want to.

To be honest, this game that Wayne has dragged me into was a godsend. At least now I don't have to come up with anything else to write about for the next few days. Thank you Wayne, this pointless exercise that you have bestowed upon me. You have my gratefulness.

Now, without more time wasting, I present to you,

The 6 Weird Things About Me.

1. I don't tell lies.

2. I spend too much money on headphones. (way too much)

3. I am in a sports-based CCA, but I don't particularly enjoy physical activities.

4. I have no PSLE certificate.

5. I read TIME magazine. From back to front. Every Issue.

6. I am an SJI boy.

So there you have it. It was quite a struggle to come up with all that. I guess I'm pretty normal. Or am I? Perhaps normal people think of themselves as being unique or special, so the belief that I am normal is a deviation from normalcy. Now I'm supposed to tell get 6 other friends to play this inane game, but I'm not going to do that. Why? Because I want to be special.

Take that, Wayne Teo.

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Blogged @ 2:09 PM