Originally Posted by
silke
"Lightside" social subtypes of So/Sx: Ironically this range impresses as the least social of the three ranges despite being called the "social" subtype. Here the "social" instinct seems to give an intellectual orientation which is maintained at expense of emotionally engaging their surroundings. This range is the equivalent of socionics "inert" subtype: there is a lack of engagement with their surroundings as all potential is drawn to their internalized primary soc instinct. For this reason they may seem to have few actual friends to the point of resembling a social last or a social introvert, but I've found this impression is misleading: their work and creative projects aim to reach out to a broad audience. So in a way they sacrifice immediate connections for the sake of touching as many people as possible. Authors, story writers, journalists, bloggers, tv and radio talk show hosts - not necessarily working in these professions but these kinds of occupations would be ideally suited for this subtype. Dissemination of information on a large scale with significant effort and some delay.
Socially seem more adaptable and pliable than other ranges, inclusive and including, willing to understand and accommodate greater number of people they meet, even though this isn't always obvious due to weaker emotional expression. Sometimes give an "airy", "intellectually dry", or "light-weight" vibe like they are not even present. May seclude themselves for long periods of time to work on their projects.
Visually and by their lifestyle "lightsider" so/sx's may resemble, and be mistaken for, so/sp's due to certain level of emotional disengagement. While speaking they may have a kind of stately presentation and talk in broad terms. Eyes may be large and open, reflecting a greater share social instinct; facial expression having more dispassionate and disengaged look than with other ranges.
In case a person is "inert" subtype in Socionics and, additionally, first instinct "inert" subtype in their stacking, they may seem present but always somehow disconnected, in-their-head, and focused on their own interests when they talk. May ponder to themselves whether they are introverts, even if they are extroverted by Jung. Likely to type as so/sp or sp-first.