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<Ni Explained> [LONG] Thread:
Disclaimer: Again, this is my understanding and my opinions on Introverted Intuition. I have a massive respect for this function, and a bone to pick as well - but that's for a different thread.
Disclaimer: Again, this is my understanding and my opinions on Introverted Intuition. I have a massive respect for this function, and a bone to pick as well - but that's for a different thread.
If you don't agree or relate, pls reply with what you think Ni looks like to you.
(Ni users, you know what to do, rip this thread to shreds if you want to)
(Ni users, you know what to do, rip this thread to shreds if you want to)
Introverted Intuition (imo) is generally viewed to be a very mysterious function in type communities.
There's a lot of aspects about it that's supposedly "hidden" or concealed.
There's a lot of aspects about it that's supposedly "hidden" or concealed.
This makes sense, since Ni is a subjective and introverted function.
This shouldn't come as a surprise that a good majority will find it frustrating to figure out the folks who have this function.
This shouldn't come as a surprise that a good majority will find it frustrating to figure out the folks who have this function.
Keep in mind, I will also highlight additional points such as a) how to detect Ni in another person, and b) how to recognize what communication styles are we supposed to be looking for.
I've read before (source somewhere) that Ni is "everything the other functions are not."
"Remove the Se, Ni, Fi, Ti, Te, Fe and Ne and you're left with Ni."
"Remove the Se, Ni, Fi, Ti, Te, Fe and Ne and you're left with Ni."
But that's a "cute" way to look at it.
I do believe Ni has an angle that's unique to itself, so I'll try to help those who aren't Ni users to at least see a glimpse into it.
I do believe Ni has an angle that's unique to itself, so I'll try to help those who aren't Ni users to at least see a glimpse into it.
(Thank you also to the Ni users who replied to my other tweet asking for your definitions and opinions about Ni, I really appreciate it) https://twitter.com/kiddorasa/status/1323075285466583040?s=20
I believe Ni can be explained (not by contrasting it to Si) but by comparing it again to Se (and to a similar degree, Ne).
This is because Ni and Si's goals do not necessarily connect (and are the anti-thesis of each other).
This is because Ni and Si's goals do not necessarily connect (and are the anti-thesis of each other).
Se (imo) is the cognitive function responsible for seeing reality for what it is.
The raw objects of "apple, tree, house and water" for example.
The raw objects of "apple, tree, house and water" for example.
How does this connect to Ni? Unlike Ne, there isn't a random connection to be drawn from these things.
Ni doesn't create connections, it observes and absorbs connections.
Ni doesn't create connections, it observes and absorbs connections.
@meganmmalone describes it as "seeing how multiple concepts make one thing" https://twitter.com/meganmmalone/status/1323094019463909378?s=20
Ni users:
- what really is an apple?
- what really is a tree?
- what really is a house?
- what really is water?
- what really is an apple?
- what really is a tree?
- what really is a house?
- what really is water?
The key point to consider here, isn't the "what really", it's again the motion, the reverse of Ne.
Here's the same point from my Ne thread: https://twitter.com/kiddorasa/status/1322966476450533377
and also this one: https://twitter.com/kiddorasa/status/1322966521723842560
Ni isn't looking around the object to pull ideas onto it. Ni is looking at the object in relation to the core concept of said object.
For example: An apple is a form of food. An apple is a form of nourishment. An apple is a product of a tree's life cycle.
For example: An apple is a form of food. An apple is a form of nourishment. An apple is a product of a tree's life cycle.
Notice another pattern here, Ni hasn't changed subject or switched tangents.
Ni is a focus-based function.
Unlike Ne that seeks to add possibilities, Ni seeks to subtract and remove to return to the core.
Unlike Ne that seeks to add possibilities, Ni seeks to subtract and remove to return to the core.
Metaphors that come to mind when I describe this:
- reverse water droplet
- black hole
- an elaborate filtration system
- reverse water droplet
- black hole
- an elaborate filtration system
~thread break~
Keep in mind as well, I'm describing *a* nature of Ni. There's another part with this function that I'll mention as well.
Keep in mind as well, I'm describing *a* nature of Ni. There's another part with this function that I'll mention as well.
Ni instinctually, cannot avoid this style of motion.
Ni logic: there is *always* a source to every point. Everything comes back to a center.
Ni logic: there is *always* a source to every point. Everything comes back to a center.
@AngeryKidd explains from a sociological standpoint that "mobilizing Ni...as tunnel vision" an awareness that something is coming but not exactly know "what it is or what the severity will be." https://twitter.com/AngeryKidd/status/1323091512293511169?s=20
So there is a "oneness" that's commonly shared amongst Ni users.
High stack Ni users often report of the "interconnectedness" of every conceivable thing in the universe.
High stack Ni users often report of the "interconnectedness" of every conceivable thing in the universe.
These sentiments are tied to the second nature of Ni, how it relates to time.
@SusanStorm984 describes it like a "ripple effect" https://twitter.com/SusanStorm984/status/1323327944174043136?s=20
Ni users are keenly aware that with every action, there's a consequence or an implication.
This isn't limited to future possibilities, but also how it connects to the past as well.
This isn't limited to future possibilities, but also how it connects to the past as well.
I would describe this (in my own words) as a person's hyper awareness of how certain patterns are carried over throughout generations.
This is probably also why Ni users like to think solutions could be carried out many years in advance.
This is probably also why Ni users like to think solutions could be carried out many years in advance.
@Deezy2_Blessed describes the nature of Ni as similar to "metacognition".
And another point for "retrace my thoughts back to their roots" - a common theme amongst Ni users. https://twitter.com/Deezy2_Blessed/status/1323093738957213696?s=20
And another point for "retrace my thoughts back to their roots" - a common theme amongst Ni users. https://twitter.com/Deezy2_Blessed/status/1323093738957213696?s=20
This object within an object about an object - can be very dizzying to really think about.
But this is very Ni imo.
To subtract is to find the truth, and Ni does this a lot.
But this is very Ni imo.
To subtract is to find the truth, and Ni does this a lot.
A good visual is this "truth" model. This isn't to say that the other functions are incapable of this, it is simply an unavoidable focus of Ni.
If shapes a, b and c are true - then the core object must be the truth.
*Note: "Core."
If shapes a, b and c are true - then the core object must be the truth.
*Note: "Core."
Ni users trust that this style of intuition is "already present" and active, this is likely because Ni often functions in the background.
@Pocket_ISTP described Ni as useful for "decoding information" and "putting what I already know into ONE concept." https://twitter.com/Pocket_ISTP/status/1323328797840564225?s=20
How does these reports relate to Ni's perceived ability to predict the future?
Recall how it connects to Se.
Se being responsible for seeing reality for what it is.
Se being responsible for seeing reality for what it is.
Ni *isn't* necessarily predicting just as much as it is stating the root of what is happening.
Recall that it factors many concepts, Ni users believe (and are aware) that patterns exist because concepts repeat themselves.
Non-Ni users: is it really a prediction or is it just seeing not just what's in front but also what it's all really about?
Example:
Ne users: we are notorious for projecting possibilities and moving further and further away from the core.
Ni users: notorious for projecting ideals and rejecting alternative possibilities.
Ne users: we are notorious for projecting possibilities and moving further and further away from the core.
Ni users: notorious for projecting ideals and rejecting alternative possibilities.
If Ne can be ascribed to a mind map, Ni can then be ascribed to a pyramid, pie chart or a spider/radar chart.
Notice the motion of intuition, is different.
Imo (and in simplified terms), Ne: divergent and Ni: convergent.
Imo (and in simplified terms), Ne: divergent and Ni: convergent.
Se is experiential, Ni is comprehensive.
A third nature of Ni is that I see it as a "zoom out" function.
What this means is that because Ni believes that everything is interconnected, non-Ni users can mimic this by stepping backwards to see the whole picture.
~thread break~
Ne is ALSO a big picture oriented function. This isn't to say that Ne cannot see the big picture, I'm focusing on the direction of motion.
Ne is ALSO a big picture oriented function. This isn't to say that Ne cannot see the big picture, I'm focusing on the direction of motion.
Ne sees the big picture by consciously making connections to fill the table of ideas.
Ni believes there is a singular idea present already that connects them all.
Ni believes there is a singular idea present already that connects them all.
Let's use a 2D map to visualize this concept.
Pick a single point/area on the map. Ne/Se will look in all directions and expand.
Pick a single point/area on the map. Ne/Se will look in all directions and expand.
Ni steps backwards, sees the entire map and how all the roads lead to that single pre-decided point.
Does it mean Ni is better? No where did any of these tweets conclude that.
Does it mean Ni has its fair share of limitations? Absolutely.
Does it mean Ni has its fair share of limitations? Absolutely.
Hyperfocus is fine, but it can also lead to Ni users to not act on their insights or express them.
Lots of Ni doms report feeling helpless to the patterns they see, the term "inevitable" is a common theme.
Lots of Ni doms report feeling helpless to the patterns they see, the term "inevitable" is a common theme.
Experience isn't always the best teacher, Ni will argue that just because one hasn't personally experienced a pattern - doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
However, experience also helps.
Helps in keeping an Ni user from being so lost in their mind that nothing actually happens tangibly in the now.
Helps in keeping an Ni user from being so lost in their mind that nothing actually happens tangibly in the now.
Now onto my next point, how to identify and communicate with Ni users.
Having had the wonderful and annoying fortune of meeting high stack Ni users online, there's an obvious pattern to notice here.
What are the typical buzzwords + buzz statements?
- core
- one
- inevitable
- underneath it all
- what's the main point?
- core
- one
- inevitable
- underneath it all
- what's the main point?
Ni users do not really like leaving things open-ended. Lots of em - I would say - are more interested in conclusions.
Hence why following-through is a very common pattern for NJs (and SJs to a similar degree).
Unfinished business doesn't sit well for Ni. (Regardless of stack)
Unfinished business doesn't sit well for Ni. (Regardless of stack)
How to communicate with Ni?
- understand that they're coming from that "zoomed out" perspective.
This isn't to say that there's nothing left to say.
But the contrary, Ni users want to see what's beneath the surface. What's coming later or what's happening.
- understand that they're coming from that "zoomed out" perspective.
This isn't to say that there's nothing left to say.
But the contrary, Ni users want to see what's beneath the surface. What's coming later or what's happening.
What appeals to them [actually] tends to be Ne from my experience (as an Ne dom), because the possibilities I vomit is exactly what they swallow.
Miscommunication happens when folks assume Ni users didn't consider all the factors.
When an Ni person speaks, it means that they've considered the points present.
Ni doesn't consciously make connections, they know those connections are already present.
Ni doesn't consciously make connections, they know those connections are already present.
This is alien to the opposite observing style, but it is still a valid intuitive approach and method.
While one might think "how could they have made a statement, did they not consider so-and-so?"
Why not adjust that question to "have I not considered that they did the intuitive processing already and just didn't express that first?"
Why not adjust that question to "have I not considered that they did the intuitive processing already and just didn't express that first?"
One of my personal beefs with Ni users is I want to hear more of their Ni, but it's often so deep in the background that even they themselves struggle to express them.
But I also understand that the natures of Ni that I mentioned, lends to difficulty in describing the steps of their intuition. (It is NOT Si)
Like other [subjective] introverted functions, there's a need to fully flesh out a point before expressing.
I think too that the silence and emptiness before speaking lends to why Ni is considered mysterious by many.
Hopefully this thread is helpful for others to understand Ni (at least in the basics) but also in my attempt to dispel the mysteriousness around it.
In my opinion, Ni folks are lovely (AND frustrating) but that's the beauty of it. They offer an insight that we might not always see, and their natural tendency to look beneath the surface can be very useful.
Now I welcome all who wanna rip this to shreds. Have fun!
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