The time intuition, Ni
First I would like to mention that Viktor Gulenko's classification of the individual functions into plus and minus is a very constructive discovery in my opinion. In this article, I want to focus on Ni+, the intuition of IEI, which is described as a hopeful glimpse into the future. In fact, IEI is a positivist, so he cannot focus on negative aspects for long, but always needs an optimistic view and potential positive changes in the future. The absence of such perspectives can drive this sociotype to despair. The critic's intuition, ILI (Ni-), works in the opposite direction. ILI is a negativist, so this sociotype always has an eye on things that won't work, that should be avoided, or that are doomed to fail. ILI tends to focus more on avoiding mistakes or pointless ventures and pragmatically and impersonally judges its surroundings, whereas for IEI the concept of "hope" is crucial.
In socionics, time intuition is described as the ability to use information in the present to predict the course of events in the future, but I think this aspect is only a small, specific part of this function. I would like to propose one more definition: Introverted intuition, to me, is detail-oriented, meticulous, and perfectionist thinking within a field of interest, as well as a diverse range of visual, literary, auditory, and performance creativity. It is idealized, visual thinking and the ability to visualize information in detail and plan strategically accordingly.
When time intuition devotes itself to a project, it will deal with all eventualities, go to the root of things, analyze every angle, even if it means repetitive research. Deep penetration into complex structures, which can vary greatly depending on a person's interests, is typical of Ni. Individuals with Ni perceive life in terms of repeating patterns that help them predict certain events. For intuitive functions, a creative element is very important in order to act motivated, so it is important to note here that the excessive accuracy of time intuition relates only to a person's fields of interest, and in other areas they are completely careless, inattentive and unfocused can behave. In a way, this feature is paradoxical. In areas that are of interest to the individual, he or she will become an expert, while holding opinions in other areas that are inaccurate or may not correspond to reality. If a Ni-based sociotype does not build interests with specific goals, he or she will lead a passive life.
Time intuition's tendency to meticulously gather information makes it a very ideological function. Once a Ni sociotype has researched an issue in detail and formed an attitude, it will be difficult to change the person's mind. It leads to a strong belief in one's own idealized path in life. Here one can observe the difference with possibility intuition, a function that changes attitudes relatively easily and rarely holds strong beliefs. I think almost all complex and sophisticated structures are created with time intuition. Over time, however, Ni's detailed thinking leads to over-bureaucratization as every eventuality has to be covered. In my opinion, typologies focus too much on type descriptions or personal traits and the focus should be more on finding overarching commonalities, such as the fact that people with time intuition have detail-oriented thinking, regardless of whether the person chooses technical machines or the emotional happenings in the environment.
The introverted intuition learns best through repetition, through perfecting various processes and procedures. Ideally, such people find their vocation at a young age through their family environment or a mentor. It is important for such people to identify a creative inclination or strength early on and give them the opportunity to actively and meticulously work towards it. Because time intuition is paired with volitional sensing, many of these sociotypes value ambitious goals or complex, intense undertakings, and they very often pay attention to the references, qualifications, and achievements of people in their field of interest. Based on these aspects, they decide whether or not to rely on someone's information. In my observation, people with the time intuition have a pronounced tendency to evaluate and catalog things or to create lists for comparison.
For Ni it is important to get to the root of a problem or concept, to get to the root cause, to gain a holistic understanding. This function isn't so interested in what is as what could be. Not infrequently she sees reality in fragments, or some kind of domino, snowball or butterfly effect, with a very strong awareness that any small changes or problems in the initial conditions of a system have a long-term impact on the system's development and prospects. The function therefore also loves to speculate and forecast. Other tendencies of this function, particularly found in the base function of IEI, are a potential inclination towards otherworldly concepts such as vision, prophecy, mysticism, divination, horoscope, spirituality, esotericism and destiny, the belief that one's existence has special meaning, or conversely, an active inclination towards philosophy, a reflection on one's role in the cosmos or soul, other people's motives. Time intuition can give a person a subjective gut feeling about who certain people really are deep down.
Ni is usually a troubled, anxious, or even tense state of mind, although the person may appear calm on the outside. I suspect that this function is somewhat related to certain mental disorders such as bipolarity, borderline personality, and schizophrenia, particularly when the person has high levels of neuroticism. In some cases, the introverted intuition can act separately from the physical state, for example reflecting on reality as a whole, one's sexual identity, or ignoring physical injuries. In a strongly fixed form, it is likely to lead to autistic tendencies and behavioral patterns. Some people of these types easily develop obsessions or a fascination with conspiracy theories, a belief that secret machinations or intrigues are going on behind the curtain that are not visible to the naked eye. Because time intuition is dedicated to a specific path in life, these people can find it very difficult to mentally let go of something. I also think that intelligence tests are built around some aspect of this function, as they often involve figurative time-ordered questions ("which picture logically follows the next?"). What society defines as "giftedness" is probably a distinct, specific form of time intuition.
Ni+, the base function of IEI, the dreamer and visionary
At this point I would like to make a point that is very important to me: I have been involved with art and science most of my life, from music, film, painting, photography, architecture, poetry, to the natural, literary and language - and humanities. I have also studied the fields of physics, chemistry and mathematics. I wouldn't call myself an expert in any of these fields, and ultimately I study them out of sheer aimless curiosity, but it seems quite obvious to me that all outstanding scientific discoveries and innovations, all extraordinary artistic talents, are the result of the time intuition+ of the personality type IEI. In my eyes, Ni+ is the most abstract of the cognitive functions that is actively interested in new concepts of any kind. I think IEI is the first sociotype to try new innovations or technologies. This quest for novelty can relate to many different areas, and here are a few scientific and artistic examples of my hypothesis:
The most obvious theory that was discovered through time intuition is probably the theory of evolution, which describes the development and change processes of living beings over the course of the earth's history. It states that species have evolved through natural selection and genetic changes over time. The theory of evolution postulates that all living things on earth descended from a common ancestor. Over time, these ancestors branched out into different species to create the variety of life we observe today.
The theory of relativity in physics deals with the structure of space and time. It describes, for example, the relativity of simultaneity, that events that appear simultaneously to one observer can be arranged differently in time for another observer due to their relative speed, or the idea of time dilation, which leads to the fact that time for a moving observer slower compared to a resting observer.
A currently very relevant field of time intuition is climate research, the main goal of which is to reconstruct the past, monitor current changes and use this information to predict future developments and forecasts of global warming. Climate researchers use models to simulate complex interactions in the climate system and to forecast future climate changes. Time intuition gives a person an awareness that many things are directly connected, e.g. that our entire current civilization is dependent on machines and fossil fuels. These machines, which produce material goods, transport people, harvest food, heat homes, make this article possible to read, are powered by internal combustion engines and oil, coal and gas and have increased human wealth and life expectancy. This comes at a price, however, as all of these fossil fuels change the composition of the atmosphere and increase the greenhouse effect. The technologies that people currently take for granted in everyday life were created in a historically very short period of time. If, over time, these machines can no longer be operated due to extreme weather or destroyed supply chains, people's lives and international political structures will change fundamentally.
Ada Lovelace, who saw herself as a "poetic scientist," had a visionary imagination. She speculated on the abilities of computer programs, discussing the possibility that they might one day compose music and generate graphics. Their visions went far beyond what was technically possible at the time. Nikola Tesla was able to visualize an invention in his mind with extreme precision before moving on to the design phase. He had frequent flashbacks to events that happened earlier in his life. In addition to his research, he has written poems and writings with poetic elements. Tesla was known for his elegant looks and well-groomed appearance, but there are also people who are completely lost in their imagination and place little value on reality and their appearance. One such example is the mathematician Grigori Perelman, who in 2002 provided a proof of the Poincaré conjecture, one of the most important unsolved mathematical problems. For this achievement he was to receive the Fields Medal, one of the highest awards a mathematician can receive and a large sum of money, however he has chosen to decline this award and live a life of seclusion and isolation. I think many people with strong, abstract imaginations find it difficult to function in society or even develop an interest in reality. Terms such as neets, shut-ins or hikikomori have been established internationally to describe this phenomenon.
Artistic themes are often represented in Time Intuition through the use of metaphor, allegory, and symbolism. The highly visual component of this role gives such people a keen imagination and they can, for example, lose themselves in imaginary roles or scenarios that do not correspond to reality, making them particularly useful as actors or entertainers. People with time intuition hone their talents through constant exercise and practice. For the different artistic areas, I would also like to give some examples that have left a strong influence in their respective fields and are of particular importance:
In the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick visually spans the full arc of human life, exploring concepts such as human evolution and artificial intelligence. The film begins with the beginnings of mankind and ends with a futuristic vision in outer space. A mysterious monolith influences human development several times in the film and the protagonist of the film achieves a transcendence to a higher level of consciousness at the end. Another important film is Andrei Tarkovsky's The Mirror, a deeply personal work that weaves together memories, dreams and reflections from different stages in the director's life. Through a series of visually stunning sequences, the protagonist's emotional journey and the collective experience of an entire generation is portrayed. I think Ni+ is associated with an idealized perception of memories and with a sentimental view of the past. It leads to frequent reflection on one's state of mind.
Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album reflects on life and death and how people generally don't appreciate what they have and get caught up in materialistic ideals. The album's centerpiece, the song "Time", is about the way time can determine the course of a person's life. The song is about the ephemerality of one's existence and how people wait for the right amount of time before beginning their real lives. It's a stark warning for those who remain focused on everyday things. David Bowie's album Blackstar, released two days before his death, contains many metaphysical and symbolic elements that refer to the passage of time and the finitude of life. Many of his lyrics and artistic choices on the album have been interpreted in hindsight as allusions to his own mortality. In the song "Epitaph" by King Crimson from the album "In the Court of the Crimson King", the band addresses a dark version of humanity and society marked by conflict, violence and impending doom. Despite the somber mood, the song also expresses a longing and hope for a better situation and a new beginning.
An introspective and psychologically complex tale, Fyodor Dostoyevsky's short story "White Nights" (or "Four Nights of a Dreamer") is about a young man struggling with the problems of society and himself. The story explores existential themes such as isolation, loneliness, the meaning of life and the inability to find a place in modern society. “The Trial” by Franz Kafka is pervaded by a diffuse sense of time. The time that elapses in the novel becomes a metaphorical representation of bureaucracy, the loss of individual control, and an individual's struggle against the opaque forces of society. In the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, the protagonist Dorian makes a kind of "pact" in which he wishes a portrait to age in his place, bearing all the marks of his sins, while himself remaining untouched. This allows him to lead a life of joy, lust and decadence without experiencing any external consequences. However, as the story progresses, Dorian gradually loses all moral inhibitions and becomes a reckless and immoral man. His portrait, on the other hand, keeps getting uglier, showing the effects of his destructive behavior. The story explores the ideas of duality, identity and the inner conflict between externals and the true self. Other writers invent their own fantasy worlds and imaginary scenarios, often found in sci-fi or fantasy literature.
Sigmund Freud's "The Interpretation of Dreams" deals with the unconscious and proposes that dreams can provide insights into repressed desires, fears and conflicts that arise through a process of encryption, whereby repressed or threatening thoughts and desires are hidden from consciousness remain. Carl Jung's "Red Book", which contains numerous poems, illustrations and artistic representations, is a kind of personal diary in which Jung records his dreams, visions and self-reflections. The socionics developed by Aušra Augustinavičiūtė builds on the concept of intertype relationships, which attempts to describe the course of relationships over time.
I think such pronounced manifestations of Ni+ are rare (in terms of science and art) and Ni+ can show up in basically any area that requires organization or planning and temporal understanding, from history, technology, engineering, to to geopolitical analysis, learning visual characters, or contemplating various ethical and social constructs, as well as competitive sports. Contrary to the established belief that outstanding athletes have volitional sensing as a basic function, I think that time intuition plays the biggest role in athletic success, since very successful athletes usually start training in childhood and develop their skills through repetitive processes and perfect long-term planning. They are people who work meticulously towards success throughout their lives and endure many social deprivations in order to fulfill a childhood dream, regardless of what sport the person pursues. It should also be noted that a sporting career is not a pragmatic way of life with a secure income, which sensory professionals usually choose. Very few athletes make a living from their achievements, but few pay attention to the vast majority of those who fail to make it to the top. Time intuition locks into a direction they wish to follow throughout their lives, meaning they are more likely to become experts or achieve goals, but it also means they can lock into a specific path that is relevant to society appears confusing, incorrect, or no longer appropriate to the circumstances. It is almost impossible for people with Ni to switch to an alternative once they have committed themselves to a path because they have a repressed intuition of possibility (Ne) which I will describe below. I also think that the vast majority of people who upload videos of themselves to internet platforms or appear on television, and probably the majority of historical figures, as well as most public figures, belong to the IEI sociotype. I think it's the personality type that's most common in big cities and metropolitan areas. It is also the personality type most interested in typologies such as socionics.
I hope all this information gives a good overview of how this feature works and how different people can be despite their identical personality type in socionics, on the other hand all these people have in common that they are trying to be creative in the world to realize. I want to sensitize people to the fact that there is a very high amount of variability between people of an identical type and in a subjective field like psychology and human perception it will hardly be possible to make objective predictions.
A vivid example of time intuition, I think, is the game of chess, in which all the pieces correspond to a specific rank in society, and the game is practiced with detailed memorization of openings and strategy, where anticipatory, tactical skill leads to victory. Ni strategically coordinates the events of his area of interest. Such aspects play a lesser role in the possibility intuition (Ne), which I would like to come to now.
Originally Posted by FreelancePoliceman
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