Changing Attitude...

[SandMizzle]

Hey fellow INTPs,


I really enjoy discussing (No shit Sir?!) about God and the World. At the age of 15, I was a happy, open-to-the-world person, who knew that everything has it's right to be and it's reason for it's actions. I was very proud about my attitude and when I look back I don't really understand why this has changed.

Nowadays I look at the world in a very dark way(I'm not a pessimist). I hate discussing about everyday politics, I hate to talk about economics and things like terrorism just make me laugh. And Worldnews just make me want to cry, because I see that a Princess's marriage is 1 Month in the papers, but nobody cares about the real problems and so on... It seems like I'm overfludded by bad Informations about everything. But that shouldn't be the point!

It was at the age of twenty when something happened. I first realised it when a friend of mine started a discussion about our (Austrian) politicians and I know he came to me because he enjoyed discussing with ME. But my answer just was: "F*** that shit, it has no sense, nothing will change" I really scared myself and apologised, but then I realised something again, I changed my attitude.

So this is the weird part: I got the knowledge, I am an almost happy person, I live under good circumstances.
BUT: I changed, without realising it and never wanting it.
It's like someone took me 2 steps back and I feel like I never moved. It's just weird.
It also seems that my 15 year old self was a much better and more objective person than I'm now (21).
.
I am an intelligent person and normally I get the answers for myself, but this time I aint got one. Maybe you can help me, maybe you experienced something similar.


Thanks!

 

[Cognisant]

I think optimistic people behave optimistically because deep down they're actually pessimistic, think about it, if you're expecting it to rain shit you'll be pleasantly surprised when it doesn’t, likewise if someone is outwardly pessimistic it's probably because they're inwardly optimistic, so much so that they're constantly being disappointed.

In a moment of clarity you apologised for having unrealistic expectations.
Expectations that your past experiences had set you up for.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Hey fellow INTPs,
BUT: I changed, without realising it and never wanting it.
It's like someone took me 2 steps back and I feel like I never moved. It's just weird.
It also seems that my 15 year old self was a much better and more objective person than I'm now (21).

I am an intelligent person and normally I get the answers for myself, but this time I aint got one. Maybe you can help me, maybe you experienced something similar.

Politically, I hit your age 15 stage when I was ~19-20 and have stayed put ever since, mainly because that is what fostered my interest and participation in debate that led to self-discovery.

Are you sure it's a step back instead of a circle?

 

[Peripheral Visionary]

I work in the media, and can tell you first hand that the media presents a warped view of the world. The world is not nearly as dark as it appears on TV or in the newspapers. I can also tell you that blaming the media for promoting a dark view is useless, because they simply respond to consumer demand. It is human nature to be fascinated by train wrecks (trains wrecks being a metaphor for spectacles, tragedy, and lurid scandals.) So my recommendation is: severely limit how much time you spend looking at a warped view of the world.

I think optimistic people behave optimistically because deep down they're actually pessimistic, think about it, if you're expecting it to rain shit you'll be pleasantly surprised when it doesn’t, likewise if someone is outwardly pessimistic it's probably because they're inwardly optimistic, so much so that they're constantly being disappointed.

I think that's very perceptive. The finance writer Robert Ringer has a philosophy of "Sustaining a Positive Attitude Through the Assumption of a Negative Result." By this, he means that he assumes something is going to go wrong and takes exacting pains to account for it, and then assumes he forgot or overlooked something. Then when things go his way, he gets to be surprised.

From a practical point of view, it is better to have a positive, optimistic attitude because people who have one tend to be happier, healthier, and live longer.

The book Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl was a revelation for me. That guy managed to have a positive attitude while imprisoned in a concentration camp. If anything, it will shame you into perking up.

 

[Cognisant]

I've read it.

 

[SandMizzle]

Are you sure it's a step back instead of a circle?

Thanks for turning on my lights. I feel kind of stupid now^^
Frustration allways leads to circels and vice versa.
Sometimes you just need a friendly advice or a kick in the ass!
It seems that it's often easier to think about someone else's problems than your own.

I think optimistic people behave optimistically because deep down they're actually pessimistic, think about it, if you're expecting it to rain shit you'll be pleasantly surprised when it doesn’t, likewise if someone is outwardly pessimistic it's probably because they're inwardly optimistic, so much so that they're constantly being disappointed.

Thanks Mr. Cognisant! You remembered me something. "Don't expect anything". I had known that and it really helps. Unfortunately many past events let me forget that "easy" way.

In a moment of clarity you apologised for having unrealistic expectations.
Expectations that your past experiences had set you up for.

I like your way of thinking!

I work in the media, and can tell you first hand that the media presents a warped view of the world. The world is not nearly as dark as it appears on TV or in the newspapers. I can also tell you that blaming the media for promoting a dark view is useless, because they simply respond to consumer demand. It is human nature to be fascinated by train wrecks (trains wrecks being a metaphor for spectacles, tragedy, and lurid scandals.)

So my recommendation is: severely limit how much time you spend looking at a warped view of the world.

Of course! The funny thing is that I think it's much darker than in the media. Let me explain: When it comes to "train wrecks" I totally agree with you. Sometimes I feel like they want to show me some part of information and punch it into my face several times till I feel connected or something... That's why I haven't had a TV for 3 years now. On the other side my mum worked for Amnesty International for a long time and she told me nearly everything what happens arround the world because she was the one contacting the dictatorships, torture prisons and slave companies. I know it's also a one side view, but these storries will never be in the news and happen all the time. Same thing with all the good things that happen. But I'm not fascinated by tragedies and don't really blame the media.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Thanks for turning on my lights. I feel kind of stupid now^^
Frustration allways leads to circels and vice versa.
Sometimes you just need a friendly advice or a kick in the ass!
It seems that it's often easier to think about someone else's problems than your own.

I view it as just another example of INTP problem solving, sort of like baking a cake. We realize that a problem can be solved via politics, but for whatever reason it's not ready yet and we periodically keep checking on the political solution to see whether or not the cake's done yet.

 

[Peripheral Visionary]

On the other side my mum worked for Amnesty International for a long time and she told me nearly everything what happens arround the world because she was the one contacting the dictatorships, torture prisons and slave companies.

Your mother must have a lot of first hand knowledge of the injustice and tragedy of this world.

I have a in-law that was a para-medic for several years. It's a job that requires you to meet people on probably the worst day of their lives. He had to quit because he was constantly depressed. Social workers, child advocates, therapists, ER surgeons... they all get the same stream of tragedy. Those things must be acknowledged and dealt with.
Still, I remained convinced that the world would not function at all if there was more darkness than light in it.

We realize that a problem can be solved via politics, but for whatever reason it's not ready yet and we periodically keep checking on the political solution to see whether or not the cake's done yet.

Unless of course political solutions turn out to be like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.

 

[SandMizzle]

I view it as just another example of INTP problem solving, sort of like baking a cake. We realize that a problem can be solved via politics, but for whatever reason it's not ready yet and we periodically keep checking on the political solution to see whether or not the cake's done yet.

I like your metaphor. I'm getting hungry now
Patience should lead me, but the urge is strong!

Your mother must have a lot of first hand knowledge of the injustice and tragedy of this world.

I have a in-law that was a para-medic for several years. It's a job that requires you to meet people on probably the worst day of their lives. He had to quit because he was constantly depressed. Social workers, child advocates, therapists, ER surgeons... they all get the same stream of tragedy. Those things must be acknowledged and dealt with.

Yes she really does. But she accomplishes it to be one of the most people friendly persons I know. I guess it's a result of dealing with these things. I also worked as a social worker for 1 year where I learnd many things about people and life itself. Maybe it just takes some time for me to get this wise.^^

Still, I remained convinced that the world would not function at all if there was more darkness than light in it.

I totally agree!