ISTP - The Mechanics

That's what Typealyzer says my blog's type is. Here's the description:

The independent and problem-solving type. They are especially attuned to the demands of the moment are masters of responding to challenges that arise spontaneously. They generelly prefer to think things out for themselves and often avoid inter-personal conflicts.

The Mechanics enjoy working together with other independent and highly skilled people and often like seek fun and action both in their work and personal life. They enjoy adventure and risk such as in driving race cars or working as policemen and firefighters.

I tend to doubt the validity of these things, but when I've done these Myers-Briggs personality assessments in the past I've often come out as ISTP: Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving.

These assessments can be very flattering. For example, ISTPs "often prefer to work on their own, free from the distraction of other people. Focusing on observable facts and hard data, they view life from an objective, pragmatic, and quietly intellectual point of view. Quietly curious, and introspective, they use their Sensing function directly to perceive the world 'as it is'. Approaching tasks in a realistic, factual and down-to-earth way, they have little interest in abstract theoretical ideas, unless these have clear practical applications. Logical, analytical and critical, they enjoy finding practical solutions to real-world problems."

Boy is that ever me. Just ask my wife. But, wait, there's more: "Being orientated towards the Introverted domain of thoughts and ideas, ISTPs may sometimes need to be drawn out when in the company of others. Deep and thoughtful, they may resist being the first to put forward their own ideas, preferring instead to sit back and reflect on what others are saying before contributing to a debate or discussion. Flexible and free-thinking, they will be open to alternative points of view, which they will critically examine in a logical, objective manner. Goal directed, and solution focused, they will wish to achieve results with a minimum of discussion and fuss."

Those who know me might see some vague similarity to the Michael they've experienced, but I doubt they would describe me as someone who needs to be drawn out in the company of others, or who sits back and reflects before contributing to a debate or discussion! But I do like to achieve results with a minimum of discussion and fuss, as I tend to run roughshod over those who may be in the way. But who would quarrel with this description of my thinking style: "Focusing on the 'broader picture', they may not always see the point of closely adhering to set procedures and systems. Similarly, attending to the detailed requirements of a task may not come naturally to them. They will generally prefer to learn about a subject by reading, or through private study, rather than by engaging in lively informed debate or discussion."

That's one way of looking at it, on the other hand you could say ISTPs are folks who don't mind breaking a few rules on their way to solving all the world's problems. Badges! We don't need no stinking badges. Nota bene, these famous people are supposedly ISTPs: Charles Bronson, Tom Cruise, James Dean, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, Keith Richards, Charlie Yeager, Frank Zappa. Yeah, that's my type all right, especially Keith Richards and Frank Zappa.