Thursday, March 20, 2008

Mr. Fob the Humbly Glorious

At FoxyJ's insistence, I've taken a Myers Briggs personality test. And then I took another. Both say I'm an INFJ, extremely strong on the N (intuitive), fairly strong on the I (introverted) and J (judging), and just barely F (feeling). It's apparently a rare combination--about 1% of the population. I'm flattered by the comparison made between this personality type (called "Confidant" or "Counselor") and people like Gandhi, MLK Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Jane Goodall, and most of all Shirley Temple, but I'm suspicious that this is describing not so much who I am as who I'd like to think I am. Take for example this description:
Beneath the quiet exterior, INFJs hold deep convictions about the weightier matters of life. Those who are activists -- INFJs gravitate toward such a role -- are there for the cause, not for personal glory or political power.

Actually, to be honest, I'm quite fond of personal glory. Not that I know what to do with it when I have it, but that doesn't mean it's not, like, one of the chief motivators behind everything I do.

But then again, who am I to question the authority of a 75-question online personality test? I obviously don't care about personal glory, if that's what the test says. So go on, tell me how wonderful I am for being so unconcerned with what people think of me. I know that's what you're thinking.
at

7 comments:

  1. Craig3/21/2008 12:47 AM

    You are special Ben, just like me. I'm an INFJ too. While I was pretty skeptical at first that one test could tell all about my personality, I've taken a lot of the Myers Briggs tests since then and its pretty much been right every time - with a few differences. I mean it cannot be 100% right, can it?

    ReplyDelete
  2. B.G. Christensen3/21/2008 10:38 AM

    I suppose they forgot to mention that an unusually high proportion of that 1% of the population that is INFJ reads the Fobcave.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mama3/21/2008 1:21 PM

    Eleanor Roosevelt, Ghandi, Shirley Temple, Fob, the 2 posters ahead of me, and MAMAMORMON.

    How great are we? We're so rare. Rare like - M and Ms or leaves!!

    he he he

    ReplyDelete
  4. B.G. Christensen3/21/2008 2:01 PM

    At least I know I'm in good company.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Craig3/21/2008 2:31 PM

    You're in wonderfully amazing company. Others should be so lucky.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mama3/21/2008 8:59 PM

    Could we start a club with a secret handshake and stuff? Or are we too introverted and unfeeling for those sorts of shenanigans?

    Also - I don't think that Mr. Fob consulting a Magic 8 ball before he answers my questions really qualifies him as a "counselor." I'm just saying...

    ReplyDelete
  7. B.G. Christensen3/22/2008 3:15 PM

    Craig: Amen, brother.

    Mama: I don't know how to tell you this, but the rest of us already have a secret handshake. We were totally going to tell you about it. Really.

    ReplyDelete