Intuition and Bitcoin

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.

To book me for MBTI consultations–find my Calendly on the sidebar or here!

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For more of my content, you know where to find me:

LinkedIn Poll: Sensation vs. iNtuition

What I thought was an Intuitive vs. Sensor question, took a drastic turn!

I’ve been running a series of LinkedIn polls in order to gather my own data of the population, and to see where people fit into the 4 different dichotomies within the MBTI world.

My most recent poll was attempting to see whether my audience preferred Sensing or iNtuition when it came to viewing a piece of artwork.

I gave 3 options, due to the fact that in my previous poll, the audience feedback was overwhelming in support of a 3rd option.

Poll Question

When I look at a painting, I concentrate on…

The details of the artwork
The meaning of the artwork
The feeling it evokes

Option 1 was for the Sensors, Option 2 was for the iNtuitives, and Option 3 was actually a Feeling answer, which was outside the scope of what I was wanting for this poll.

The fact that Option 3, “The feeling the artwork evokes,” won the day, is likely due to the fact that I should not have given that answer as an option because of course art will ALWAYS evoke emotions within the viewer.

If we just concentrate on the S vs N answers (Options 1 and 2), there is only a slight preference for Sensation when it comes to how one views art and, in the broader sense of psychology, how one prefers to take in information. This is not in line with how the general population breaks down, and these would be considered abnormal results.

From this article, and other research supporting it, society is 75% S and 25% N.

Conclusion

My conclusion is that I did not follow in the footsteps of the MBTI “forced-choice model” and thus skewed my results completely. There are always going to be cases where a person will use both Sensation or iNtuition when looking at something or viewing data.

The point that needs to be understood and, most importantly, explained better by MBTI Practitioners like myself, is that we are simply looking at what you prefer to use first, not whether or not you are capable of using a certain preference.

The uniqueness of the MBTI assessment is that it groups you by Type, not by Trait. It does not tell you how good or well developed you are at using Extraversion or Introversion. It simply tells you that you prefer to use one over the other.

As always, thank you for reading and for your support!

To book me for MBTI consultations–find my Calendly on the sidebar or here!

For more of my content, you know where to find me:

Part II: Corporate Communication and Personality Type (MBTI)

Take a look at the above picture. What do you see here? Your answer will likely reveal your 2nd letter within the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, which is the S (sensing) vs N (intuition) function.

Sensors (S) process data as it exists in front of their eyes. Their data is tangible and provable and is rooted in reason and fact. The Sensor (S) type likes graphs, charts, and spreadsheets to understand and take action on data. They are typically grounded individuals that must see to believe. Those with a strong (S) preference would be classified as a “Rational.”

Intuitives (N) see between the lines and process life in an abstract way. They often search for the meaning behind the façade, rather than the details in front of them. Non-linear and sometimes unnecessarily complex, those with the (N) preference can often be extremely insightful and creative in their explanations and solutions.

For a deeper dive into the N vs S function, visit this great video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lrn3oXzUSw

A Painting or A P&L Report

A strong (S) type sees the painting above and would likely have these descriptions:

• “The painting is muddled”
• “Her dress is long and is getting dirty”
• “This looks like a really old painting”
• “That’s a pretty red couch”

A strong (N) type sees this painting and has a remarkably different take:

• “She is not into him.”
• “He’s trying to seduce her.”
• “They are in a lovers’ quarrel.”
• “The red couch represents love or passion.”

Both types are seeing the same image, yet each has a different interpretation.

When you translate this into the corporate setting, you see the same discrepancies.

The above is a standard Profit and Loss statement. This tells us the overall health of the company at a high level. You can begin to imagine how the Sensor (S) and the Intuitive (N) might interpret this chart.

Sensors will point out:

• “Net profit is 24% of gross sales.”
• “We can save money by cutting advertising and laying off two people.”
• “We can renegotiate our lease to save money on rent.”

These are statically driven data decisions. The logic behind the decisions are sound and fact-based.

Intuitives will say:

• “Why did we do so well this year?”
• “What does this mean for the next 5 years?”
• “It’s not all black and white, there’s a lot of gray areas.”

The difference in interpretation can be a major problem depending on who is making decisions after viewing the data. Statistically and anecdotally speaking, the most common type for managers are ESTJ’s, being dubbed “Life’s Administrators.”

As mentioned in Part I, the J type will make a final decision based on the data (S), and that will be nearly set in stone. If the ESTJ boss is taking suggestions from their team that is composed of some N and P types, there are going to be glaring disagreements:

The decision made by the S and J boss will seem too rigid and solely focused on the data
The N and P types will be frustrated at the lack of brainstorming
The S and J boss will be frustrated with the N and P’s abstract proposals

In this scenario, the Sensor (S) has the burden of helping the N/P to frame their abstraction in a concrete way, if at all possible. This will be a process that can take years to perfect and is not something that can be implemented overnight, but it will lead to more productive collaboration and team unity. However, if the communication is not fixable, the ESTJ manager will notice that the N/P subordinate will no longer participate in the discussion—a simmering volcano likely to erupt.

The solution I am proposing to fix the Intuitive (N) and Sensing (S) dilemma in the workplace is to first realize that people are making an honest effort to help. Most colleagues aren’t purposely sabotaging an open discussion. Secondly, the collaborative brainstorming needs to be visual. The (S) manager should strive to draw out what the Intuitive (N) is meaning and articulate it into something concrete; writing the suggestions on a whiteboard for the whole group to visualize. Then the group can find common ground as they move away from the theoretical and towards the tangible.

As I dig deeper into the Myers-Briggs Types, I will discuss critical workplace challenges that arise from type-limitations.

Tag: intuition

Intuition and Bitcoin

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

Are you a Sensor or an Intuitive?

Bitcoin is a Concept

Sensor and Intuitive Communication