INTPs in written conversation

[nedenom]

Hello! My first post here so I thought i just post it here and say hi. I am evidently an INTP (have known for a few years though).

Just made me think, while I was chatting to someone, how do you think INTPs usually conduct written communication? I find myself (over)analysing every meaning of every sentence, carefully switching words around to obtain the correct mood of the reply message. (Although I didn't not make a too big effort on this post ) Is it very strange to focus so much on these things???

Regards,
SW

 

[Dapper Dan]

I find myself (over)analysing every meaning of every sentence, carefully switching words around to obtain the correct mood of the reply message.

Yep, that's about right.

Welcome to the forums.

 

[Beholder]

I do that

 

[nedenom]

Actually, what scared me - and made me register her after recalling all this INTP stuff I read a few years ago - was that I, for the fun of it, prepared a rather technical document about one single question before writing it in the reply. The document clearly and in short terms states the context, the actual sentence, the motivation of the analysis, a notation guide, a pro aut contra list with weighted outcomes of sending that sentence. And then the conclusion - which was that it still is too early to draw one.

Eventually, I abandoned the question due to lack of time and the number of question marks compared to the periods in the text overall.

After the message was sent, I then reanalysed the message, dissected each sentence and shortly explained the purpose of it.

In the end I was mildly pleased with the message, but I've spent almost three hours over this never-sent sentence, while I really should be in my bed sleeping. Why?

PS: I don't normally go to such extent as this, luckily . I will probably throw that file in the bin tomorrow...

 

[Pyropyro]

Welcome

overanalysis is one of INTP's trademark traits

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I find myself (over)analysing every meaning of every sentence, carefully switching words around to obtain the correct mood of the reply message.

Same here. I can spend hours on a single e-mail reply and spent a good 8 months writing my grad school application.

Also, this has helped me out a few times:

Spoiler

This too:

Spoiler

http://www.amazon.com/How-Say-Third-Edition-Paragraphs/dp/0735204373/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335923565&sr=1-1

 

[Da Blob]

It seems to be that written communication is the natural environment for an INTPian.

We are adept at manipulating words, but often lost in face to face social interaction.

We love to analyze and written words, our own or those of Others provide us with the opportunity to do so.

Written words are recorded, so that if profitable, misunderstandings can be cleared up and communication facilitated

The list goes on and on...

BTW - welcome

 

[pernoctator]

I'm new too, I don't like making introductory threads though so I'll just start here.

I find myself (over)analysing every meaning of every sentence, carefully switching words around to obtain the correct mood of the reply message. (Although I didn't not make a too big effort on this post ) Is it very strange to focus so much on these things???

Yes, it is strange, but so what? I do it all the time too. In fact, it even happens within my private thoughts... I mean, sometimes my train of thought is interrupted by the fact that I'm not satisfied with the words my brain is choosing to narrate it with (I think I've even used a thesaurus just to help get my thinking back on track on a couple of occasions).

By the way I tried to be conscious of how I was doing this while writing this post. Here's what I noticed myself doing...

• Wasted some time deciding whether the first sentence should be above or below the quote.
• Changed my mind about whether it should read "I'm new too, but" or "I'm new too, ... though".
• Spent an unnecessary amount of time wondering if I really wanted to include the word "just" in that sentence.
• Messed with the quote until it contained exactly what I wanted to be replying to.
• Considered making "but so what?" a new sentence on its own.
• Moved the next sentence ("I do it all the time too") to the beginning of the line, then back again.
• ...

The antics continued, but I kind of lost track after that point. Am I even more excessive than average, or is this normal for you guys?

 

[Architect]

Well that's rather easy, why don't you see how much INTP's like to post on online (written communication) forums?

For me I prefer email over the phone, and an online forum (generally) over a conversation. Less small talk and I can pick and choose, and communicate more effectively.

 

[nedenom]

Yes, obviously INTPs prefer written communction over spoken, it seems . My original question though, was not so much about preference, but rather how much thought that goes into even a simple message sometimes.

Personally, I can relate very well to what pernoctator described!

PS: this message is was unedited

 

[MsAnthropy_Indefatigably]

I clearly enjoy communicating via written word over spoken. It gives me a chance to analyze my thoughts before putting them into the universe where they will be irretrievably misinterpreted, so I always end up making the most basic of statements, both written and verbal, with as little emotional connotation as possible so as to reduce the likelihood of misinterpretation.

This small paragraph took me about 10 minutes to write. lol

 

[HDINTP]

Hi. Verbal communication takes too much energy from me and i overanalyse almost everything. Be welcome.

 

[MissQuote]

I get hung up in the middle of sentences all the time over just one word and how whatever word I choose could completely change the course of the rest of the words in the sentence after it.

When saying something important to someone via written word I often choose my words so carefully that the meaning will be both perfectly clear and obvious and as well could be interpreted to mean any number of things unclear and implied.

I changed five sporadically placed words in the above sentence after writing it.

Spoiler

“Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly -- they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.”
― Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

 

[DetachedRetina]

I written like communicaTE BETTAH bc ofcorse IM BETTAH ATIt....w......ait?

 

[nedenom]

Goddamn. When is the next speedwritathon?

 

[Tony Master]

Written conversation let's you understand a whole lot more than verbal because you don't have to react immediately, so you can read carefully the words and then reply accurately. But when emotions come into the scene, sometimes I really don't know what the other people is trying to say, so I go with the most probable thing, and if they don't really know you IRL you can have very, very awkward moments when they misunderstand you

 

[EvilBlitz]

Personally I am not a fan of writing at all. I enjoy reading, but not writing.
I think this stems from the fact I have always gotten pretty cramp in the hand in writing and was always a slow writer.
Also I couldn't stand English as a subject as school as it was too touchy feely, which combined in the end has left me with a distaste for writing.
I much prefer verbal communication(I like the speed of it over written, which conversely is also why I hate txting with a passion.) but I get burned hard mentally by people with poor insight or terribly inconsistent logic.

Oh, and welcome

 

[Pistoli]

I much prefer verbal communication(I like the speed of it over written, which conversely is also why I hate txting with a passion.) but I get burned hard mentally by people with poor insight or terribly inconsistent logic.

Oh, and welcome

I prefer verbal communication too. INTP's + alcohol = motor mouth.