It is discouraging to see few INFPs (particularly 4w5s) succeed. It is discouraging that what we are known for (art, music etc.) tends to be done just as well, and often more interestingly, by other types. We don't have that particular thing we're best at.
When I listen to INFJ and INTJ music, for instance, it's clear that they have more skill (think thom yorke who is INFJ 4w5, trent reznor) INFP music can be pleasant, but it's simple and direct. It doesn't make people *feel* any more than music from other types... it isn't inherently 'deeper' because we're so feely. There's nothing much to it. Anyone can make it. It is overdone, and often saccharine and emo.
An INTP friend told me once that it's like everyone has tentacles and is grasping onto the well-worn whale of life, and I have more suction cups on the tentacles, but the grasp is the same as all others' suction cups, meaning: There is nothing different about my emotion, there's just more of it. It is neither more deep nor more interesting. It's a lot of nothing.
I don't mean to get down on my type, but I feel like if all INFPs were eradicated from the world, nothing would change. There are plenty of feeling types who would be outright kind, plenty of creatives (and perhaps more intricately talented people) who aren't INFP. Plenty of more driven people (often INFJ) who would get important human stuff done. And they are just as capable of forming moral opinions as us, even with their Fe; they are complex and intricate people and quite visionary. People say John Lennon was an INFP... he was some kind of ENXP from what I've read and seen of his actual personality. The truly talented 'dreamer's we claim as one of us aren't even one of us! Many exceptional, inspiring actors are INFJ, the INFP ones seem to be boring and sub-par.
We are supposedly known for being writers, but the most famous 'INFP writer', JK Rowling, is a self-typed INFJ! There seem to be very few famous INFP writers in all actuality. When I think about contemporary writers I like and listen to them speak and whatnot, they tend to be INFJ or INTJ. And I thjink George RR Martin and Neil Gaiman are both INTP from having watched tons of interviews of them. Virtually no decent INFP authors.
We get the emos of the 80s like robert smith of the cure, embarrassingly trite 'airy fairy' people like tori amos, etc. the only genuinely innovative famous INFP is Louis CK, from what I can gather. Nirvana's music was fairly simplistic; it was mainly important because of when it came along and what it represented... the music itself isn't that timeless or interesting. And then, of course, there's the whole INFP suicide thing and how most of us tend to be miserable more frequently than pretty much every other type.
This is so very depressing to me. I feel like any sense of contributing to the world, having some great vision is unlikely... I just don't have the tools for it. Let's face it, Fi+Ne just isn't interesting or inspiring or utilitarian. Most of us are just meek little people who don't accomplish much, get walked over and told we're too emo and write emo, boring music. Sorry, but this is just something I've been contemplating for awhle. I can't help but wish I were a productive, logical type or at least a more interesting feeler, or maybe just a more popular one because: might as well have fun like ENFPs if you're gonna be burdened with tons of feelz!
So basically, for all of the deep pain that we all experience... the contributions we can make just don't make up for it. Sad.
When I listen to INFJ and INTJ music, for instance, it's clear that they have more skill (think thom yorke who is INFJ 4w5, trent reznor) INFP music can be pleasant, but it's simple and direct. It doesn't make people *feel* any more than music from other types... it isn't inherently 'deeper' because we're so feely. There's nothing much to it. Anyone can make it. It is overdone, and often saccharine and emo.
An INTP friend told me once that it's like everyone has tentacles and is grasping onto the well-worn whale of life, and I have more suction cups on the tentacles, but the grasp is the same as all others' suction cups, meaning: There is nothing different about my emotion, there's just more of it. It is neither more deep nor more interesting. It's a lot of nothing.
I don't mean to get down on my type, but I feel like if all INFPs were eradicated from the world, nothing would change. There are plenty of feeling types who would be outright kind, plenty of creatives (and perhaps more intricately talented people) who aren't INFP. Plenty of more driven people (often INFJ) who would get important human stuff done. And they are just as capable of forming moral opinions as us, even with their Fe; they are complex and intricate people and quite visionary. People say John Lennon was an INFP... he was some kind of ENXP from what I've read and seen of his actual personality. The truly talented 'dreamer's we claim as one of us aren't even one of us! Many exceptional, inspiring actors are INFJ, the INFP ones seem to be boring and sub-par.
We are supposedly known for being writers, but the most famous 'INFP writer', JK Rowling, is a self-typed INFJ! There seem to be very few famous INFP writers in all actuality. When I think about contemporary writers I like and listen to them speak and whatnot, they tend to be INFJ or INTJ. And I thjink George RR Martin and Neil Gaiman are both INTP from having watched tons of interviews of them. Virtually no decent INFP authors.
We get the emos of the 80s like robert smith of the cure, embarrassingly trite 'airy fairy' people like tori amos, etc. the only genuinely innovative famous INFP is Louis CK, from what I can gather. Nirvana's music was fairly simplistic; it was mainly important because of when it came along and what it represented... the music itself isn't that timeless or interesting. And then, of course, there's the whole INFP suicide thing and how most of us tend to be miserable more frequently than pretty much every other type.
This is so very depressing to me. I feel like any sense of contributing to the world, having some great vision is unlikely... I just don't have the tools for it. Let's face it, Fi+Ne just isn't interesting or inspiring or utilitarian. Most of us are just meek little people who don't accomplish much, get walked over and told we're too emo and write emo, boring music. Sorry, but this is just something I've been contemplating for awhle. I can't help but wish I were a productive, logical type or at least a more interesting feeler, or maybe just a more popular one because: might as well have fun like ENFPs if you're gonna be burdened with tons of feelz!
So basically, for all of the deep pain that we all experience... the contributions we can make just don't make up for it. Sad.
