Support of Bitcoin can be explained through the differences between Sensation and Intuition.

If you would like an intro to Bitcoin, or BTC as it’s known to insiders, please go here.

When I am coaching my clients, to illustrate the differences between Sensation (S) and Intuition (N), I use this original infographic:

Sensing and Intuition are both Perceiving functions – or the way in which we take in information. Everyone has the ability to use them both, though we prefer to use one over the other in our most natural state. 

Jung classified these functions as irrational, meaning that they don’t have a logical explanation for how they are used. In many cases, our Perceiving functions are passive — running and refreshing in the background like an App.

Are you a Sensor or an Intuitive?

Look at this image above. Take 10 seconds to absorb it. Now, what words come to mind?

If you give me the details of the image, I would say you prefer Sensing (S).

If you give me the themes of the image, I would say you prefer iNtuition (N).

Sensors (S) might say:

• Raining
• Park benches
• Vibrant colors
• Reflective

iNtuitives (N) might and say:

• Date night
• Romance
• Dreamlike
• Young love

Both Sensation and Intuition “see” the same information, but take completely different meanings from the image. I’m sure you can already see where this is going.

The responses you give to this visual can correlate to the way in which Sensors (S) and iNtutives (N) differ in their acceptance of Bitcoin.

Bitcoin is a Concept

Sensation clashes with the idea of BTC as it’s not a physical asset that you can hold like cash or gold or even a stock. It also doesn’t have a predecessor or antecedent to look back on and evaluate. 

It is essentially a software program.

Sensors tend to rely on the concrete and tangible as proof that a thing exists. With Bitcoin, this does not apply. True, you can see the code, but the tangibility of it still seems vague.

Intuitives tend to rely on hunches and symbols as trustworthy to them. Therefore, Bitcoin can be trusted as a concept, without necessarily knowing all the finite details of how it works.

In a previous article on the link between Introverted iNtuition (Ni) and Conspiracy Theorists, I relayed the fact that Introverted iNtuitive types tend to make giant leaps and bounds when it comes to understanding or creating something. Blanks are not filled in and details may be glossed over. Additionally, the path that was taken to arrive at the conclusion is hardly visible. Data points are often connected by loosely connected strings that are ripe for logical destruction.

Sensor and Intuitive Communication

“Man, you need to get it together right now.”

“Man, you need to get a calendar and get organized.”

“Get it together” is an iNtuitive statement. It makes a leap that the person knows what you mean by “it.” It’s an assumption that you are both clear on the “it.”

“Get a calendar and get organized” is a sensory statement because there is less probability to misinterpret what the person is suggesting. It’s concrete, gives an actual physical object to purchase, and explains how the organization and calendar are related. 

In the same way, it takes an iNtuitive leap and an inner feeling of trust to invest in Bitcoin. 

Sensors prefer to have the path to a goal laid out in a way that makes linear sense. This, then that, then this, then that. Boom, boom, boom.

Intuitives are OK with having limited information before making a decision, obviously for better or for worse. “Bitcoin is a digital currency that has a limited supply…” OK I’ve heard enough; how do I get it?

The Future of Bitcoin

My hypothesis is that those who are front-running Bitcoin now are overwhelmingly Intuitive types that are seeing the future in a way that may or may not happen but are trusting their “gut” that it’s the right move.

Bridging the gap to the Sensors is where the conversation falls apart. As mentioned, Sensors trust details and facts over hunches and whims. If the iNtuitive (N) cannot explain concretely to the (S) what it is that BTC does, then you are going to be talking straight past each other. 

As it catches on, as this iNtuitive author believes it will, Sensor types will have more statistics, data, institutional support, and concrete figures to support such a move.

This fundamental issue translates over to nearly every argument, miscommunication, and cohesion issue we see in the world today.

My suggestion to the larger Bitcoin community (HODLers, if you will) is to focus exclusively on connecting the relatable to the possible and connecting a line that makes sense to someone who is either 15 or 85 years old.

Some suggestions from points I have heard:

• The US Dollar depreciates every year due to inflation; BTC deflates and appreciates every year. Put your money somewhere it will grow.
• There is a finite supply – supply and demand in its truest form
• Governments cannot seize it or shut it down due to it being decentralized.
• Fast transaction times — no more holds or disputes from your bank 
• Bitcoin Standard – no conversion (or fee) needed to go from USD to Yen, for example.

I show these as examples of what a Sensor would likely find acceptable, though not 100% convincing. My view is that over time, the tangible and relatable aspects of Bitcoin and the larger cryptocurrency market will align with the Sensors of our world through institutional adoption, large scale media coverage, and word of mouth reinforcement.

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