Socionics Blog

September 2006

Strength of information streams

Some people have the ability (natural or acquired in the course of their life experience) to convey powerful information streams of a certain kind. This information stream is always a product of the leading function colored by the creative (2nd) function and is framed in the particular vocabulary of these information elements. When this stream for some reason becomes strong and "pure," it acquires a distinct vector and produces a hypnotic effect on other people (unless their own information stream at this moment is as strong or stronger than the other person's) and — paradoxically — on the bearer himself. In such a "clear" state of consciousness it is possible to even hypnotize one's conflicter or any other type. Leadership generally shifts to the person who consistently produces the strongest and most stable information vector, who "hypnotizes" the others with his powerful display of confidence; whose consciousness is the most "crystallized" around a certain aspect or purpose.

If you look at various kinds of leaders (Ghandi, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Andy Warhol are obviously vastly different kinds of leaders), you will note a very powerful and steady information stream and the captivating effect they have on others. This "information stream" is not by any means a "constant stream of words." It is a highly concentrated information blow that can include silence and stillness just as much as words and action, depending on the information elements at the forefront. The person conveying them at this moment becomes the embodiment of something super-human (i.e. a certain purpose or vision or drive related to the complete fulfillment of a certain pair of information elements).

Obviously, not all types will resonate equally well with different information streams, as captivating as their bearers may be. No matter what the situation, if there are sufficient numbers of people involved to include all or most of the socion, there are almost always defectors who think that the charismatic leader of the moment is "full of it" and remain emotionally uninvolved and skeptical.

People seem to have a built-in mechanism that makes them want to follow those who have a stronger information stream than their own. This might be somewhat unpleasant to realize, but only because of this mechanism are leadership, coordinated activities, and unity possible.

Socionics conference

The conference will be continuing for several more days. I will miss a lot of the talks because of work and business, but will continue to attend each day. I consider my own talk (available in Russian here) a personal success, since I have been hanging around the edges of the community for years but had not done anything to draw attention to my work publicly. Now that I have read a paper at the conference, I suddenly feel self-confident and accepted in the scholarly socionics community. Visit my report on the conference for an overview and run-down of the talks.

Introverted sensing and pleasure

I have been able to observe in many different cases how introverted sensing () in the Ego block is related to the ability to organize (generate) and manage (regulate) pleasuresome experiences, and how in the Ego block implies the absence of this ability. All Alpha and Delta quadra types fall into one of these two categories. This is a development of the "pleasure vs. satisfaction" topic I mentioned in May.

Types with (especially ILE and IEE) often impulsively start things that are pleasure-related (switch on the T.V. when they're feeling a little down, buy something fun or pretty on a whim, go out for a solitary walk in the forest or park, etc.), but they are usually unable to complete the process and obtain the full pleasure they subconsciously were expecting from the activity. What began as the fulfillment of a poorly recognized bodily desire gets sidetracked by random thoughts and mental stimulation that occur in the process. Types with are unable to determine on their own how much pleasure they have received, whether it is too little or too much, and what frame of mind they should have in order to obtain the desired enjoyment. The "correct" frame of mind for obtaining pleasure (in the sense) involves turning off one's active mental activity and letting one's body "go with the flow." -related pleasure is closely tied to mental and physical relaxation (in contrast with , which involves straining oneself).

I'm not implying that one cannot obtain pleasure from -related activities. I am talking about pleasure that comes from stimulating physiological receptors, and not 'mental' stimulation (e.g. insight, interest, or enthusiasm about exciting prospects).

Types with "instinctively" value relaxation and pleasure, but they are unable to obtain it in full independently. They can often be seen watching T.V., reading something for pleasure, or trying to obtain enjoyment in other ways in a "noncommittal" manner (e.g. standing up, sitting in an uncomfortable pose, or half-dressed), as if they just "stopped for a second" to have a look and continue on their way. And they can continue in that same state far longer than they initially planned, never reaping the benefits of organizing a full-fledged "enjoyment experience."

Obviously, types with are the exact opposite. They can be seen doing the very same pleasurable activities, but in a "thorough" manner — in a comfortable pose, in appropriate clothing, and smiling or laughing out loud. There is every indication of intention and awareness in their pleasuresome activities. For these types, pleasure is a default activity. They are able to consciously experience physiologically-based pleasure from informal, relaxing conversations, leisure activities of all kinds, rhythmic, repetitious motions such as washing dishes, and also from sharing humorous stories. When they are with other people, they skillfully regulate the enjoyment process, switching between different kinds of activities to maximize the pleasure potential of each one. They feel when a particular activity or sensation has become tiresome and initiate a new one that strokes different pleasure receptors. Types with are the pleasure gauges of the group and are the first to register sensations of pleasure or displeasure and relay them to the group. In doing so, they unconsciously guide the community in satisfying its need for pleasure and enjoyment.

Types with gradually take note of the pleasurable experiences guided by types with and learn to feel the same things through imitation. After sufficient practice, they can even learn to initiate these pleasurable experiences if they try hard, but there is always a tendency to reproduce the external form of the activity without having the genuine content — a state of mind.

Upcoming socionics conference

I have been focusing on other things and have pretty much ignored socionics for most of the past month. However, in a week I will be giving a talk at the yearly socionics conference in Kiev, Ukraine. The title of my talk is "The Development of Socionics in the West." Nothing particularly earth-shattering, but it should be somewhat interesting to local socionists. This will be my first talk at the conference, which lasts seven days and is run by the International Institute of Socionics. In the past I have found the conference tiresome and of little personal value due to the lecture-style format and abstract nature of the topics, but this year I'm finally going to be part of the boredom myself. I expect to meet some of the socionists who I have corresponded with over the past year and get some interviews and other new material for my site. Watch for updates!

Here is a schedule of the conference in Russian.