Some thoughts I had this morning (for the sake of a theoretical debate):
When considering someone's enneagram, the gestalt of the person is usually quite important. This is because, fundamentally, enneatypes are ego fixations which are, unlike cognitive functions, visible to the discerning eye. This is especially the case with the image types, 2 3 and 4. Roughly, the 2 image is of being loving/lovable, the 3 image is of being successful, the 4 is being unique. We all know this by now, and we're also aware of what this looks like in the type cliches of everyday life.
What I'm interested in, then, is how a type 4 image fixation is expressed in the stripped down, abstract space of a forum. In particular, how the physical image we present to one another in each post (our avatars) reflects both our fixation and our Jungian function. To cut to the chase, I see the avatars of most 4s as being very very un-fourish. They generally fall into two archetypes: fairy tales and cartoons.
Why aren't these reflective of a 4 fixation? I should state that I like fairy tales and cartoons, a lot, and that type does not necessarily determine taste. That said, type does to a great extent determine presentation. The type 4 wants to ultimately be unique, to distance itself from associations with the mundane and inauthentic. Supposing that an avatar is an expression of ourselves, I don't see a 4 as expressing itself as a cartoon or in the soft glow of a benign fairy-tale. Cartoons are simplifications of human experience into flat, monochromatic fragments. This is the opposite of how a 4 sees itself (or others, but more on that in a moment). The same can be said of the type of fairy tale avatars I see on this forum (see below). Both of these presentations seem obvious of type 9 and the introverted sensing function.
Type 9, and introverted sensors, have a tendency to view life as having fairy tale qualities. This is fundamental to the introverted sensing function, which is all about the subjective impression of an object as filtered through the subconscious. Because the subconscious is ripe with symbolism and archetypes, the introverted sensor views objects through a lens of mysticism and exaggerated impressions. This correlates well with type 9, which sees others in a hazy, simplistic, positive light. Others, and the self, are viewed as caricatures, subjects of an "internal wonderland," where, stripped of their harsher realities, they pose less of a threat to harmony.
Okay... that's it for now (writing from my phone is too difficult).
When considering someone's enneagram, the gestalt of the person is usually quite important. This is because, fundamentally, enneatypes are ego fixations which are, unlike cognitive functions, visible to the discerning eye. This is especially the case with the image types, 2 3 and 4. Roughly, the 2 image is of being loving/lovable, the 3 image is of being successful, the 4 is being unique. We all know this by now, and we're also aware of what this looks like in the type cliches of everyday life.
What I'm interested in, then, is how a type 4 image fixation is expressed in the stripped down, abstract space of a forum. In particular, how the physical image we present to one another in each post (our avatars) reflects both our fixation and our Jungian function. To cut to the chase, I see the avatars of most 4s as being very very un-fourish. They generally fall into two archetypes: fairy tales and cartoons.
Why aren't these reflective of a 4 fixation? I should state that I like fairy tales and cartoons, a lot, and that type does not necessarily determine taste. That said, type does to a great extent determine presentation. The type 4 wants to ultimately be unique, to distance itself from associations with the mundane and inauthentic. Supposing that an avatar is an expression of ourselves, I don't see a 4 as expressing itself as a cartoon or in the soft glow of a benign fairy-tale. Cartoons are simplifications of human experience into flat, monochromatic fragments. This is the opposite of how a 4 sees itself (or others, but more on that in a moment). The same can be said of the type of fairy tale avatars I see on this forum (see below). Both of these presentations seem obvious of type 9 and the introverted sensing function.
Type 9, and introverted sensors, have a tendency to view life as having fairy tale qualities. This is fundamental to the introverted sensing function, which is all about the subjective impression of an object as filtered through the subconscious. Because the subconscious is ripe with symbolism and archetypes, the introverted sensor views objects through a lens of mysticism and exaggerated impressions. This correlates well with type 9, which sees others in a hazy, simplistic, positive light. Others, and the self, are viewed as caricatures, subjects of an "internal wonderland," where, stripped of their harsher realities, they pose less of a threat to harmony.
Okay... that's it for now (writing from my phone is too difficult).