Janet D. Stemwedel (whose nom de blog is Dr. Free-Ride) is an associate professor of philosophy at San Jose State University. Before becoming a philosopher, she earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry. Email her at dr.freeride@gmail.com.
In the event that your horoscope in this morning's paper was not sufficiently informative, there is a website that will take the URL of your blog and return an analysis of your personality type.
Is it accurate?
Well, here's what Typealyzer makes of me:
ISTP - The MechanicsThe 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.
Does trying to find work as a philosopher count as risky?
(You should see what Typealyzer says about Comrade PhysioProf.)
Comments
Not buying it. My blog was also a "mechanic". I have taken the Myers-Briggs test more times than I can count and I am consistently a "mastermind".
Personally, I think that most "personality tests" are like horoscopes or fortune cookies...vague suggestions that we preferentially interpret to match our own circumstances.
Posted by: ambivalent academic | November 20, 2008 6:58 PM
Oh my, they know me.
BTW - I'm considered a "thinker" which I really try to avoid because it hurts when I do...
Posted by: Onkel Bob | November 20, 2008 7:17 PM
INTP - The Thinkers
'The logical and analytical type. They are especialy attuned to difficult creative and intellectual challenges and always look for something more complex to dig into. They are great at finding subtle connections between things and imagine far-reaching implications.
They enjoy working with complex things using a lot of concepts and imaginative models of reality. Since they are not very good at seeing and understanding the needs of other people, they might come across as arrogant, impatient and insensitive to people that need some time to understand what they are talking about."
Posted by: Coturnix | November 20, 2008 7:30 PM
It says it detects the language of my blog is Thai, and it only supports English and Swedish. WTF?
Posted by: Avenel | November 20, 2008 7:42 PM
This test is totally fucking b0rked!! Comrade PhysioProf is not like that at all!
Posted by: Comrade PhysioProf | November 20, 2008 8:13 PM
Bahahaha!
OMG. They have me typed as a "Doer", an ESTP.
I normally test on the Myers-Briggs as an INTP. At least they got the TP part right!
Posted by: OmegaMom | November 20, 2008 8:13 PM
I, too, was typed as a Mechanic. I have my doubts.
Posted by: Zeno | November 20, 2008 9:17 PM
hmmm, i'm not seeing it: ESFJ - Socializers?
i've also taken myers-briggs several times, and i probably test INFP eighty or ninety percent of the time (sometimes when i'm in a particularly cerebral frame of mind, it's INFJ).
then again, our internet personae are often much different than our everyday physical selves. i bet it makes a significant difference for many folks (especially introverts and sociopaths). could the online self test as nearly the flip-side of the face we show at home and work? (now that i think about it, mine seems to be very nearly the opposite-- interesting.)
Posted by: brooks | November 20, 2008 10:07 PM
My result? ISTP
Basing any assessment of my personality on my writing is like diagnosing a Jew with an allergy to pork based on his diet.
Posted by: Alan Kellogg | November 20, 2008 10:14 PM
Another Mechanic? :/
Consistently rated as an INTJ (The Mastermind) everywhere else...
Posted by: viraginity | November 20, 2008 11:23 PM
I like the way they say that the thinkers are insensitive and arrogant. Obviously, I think I am better than you guys. ^_^
Posted by: IBY | November 20, 2008 11:30 PM
Mine says I'm an ESFP. Every time I've taken the test I've been an INTJ! Bizarre, and as inaccurate as it could possibly be.
Posted by: Laura | November 21, 2008 8:47 AM
> Does trying to find work as a philosopher
> count as risky?
This is the academic equivalent of Xtreme Scholarship :)
Posted by: Pat Cahalan | November 21, 2008 12:06 PM
My blog also comes out ISTP, and I know that at least 2 of the bloggers (not sure about the cat) are INTP and/or INTJ. Police? Firefighters? Enjoy working with people? Either there is something wrong with the test, or my blog persona is significantly different from reality.
Posted by: Theo Bromine | November 21, 2008 12:39 PM
Looks like it works on any website, not just blogs.
Posted by: drdave | November 21, 2008 5:21 PM
+1 to OmegaMom and +1 to Coturnix
I virtually always test INTP (ocassionally INFP).
Newblog gave me ESTP. WTF?
Oldblog gave me INTP.
Does this mean I am being less authentic on Newblog?
Posted by: Becca | November 21, 2008 6:04 PM
Old Dr. Isis blog (www.isisthescientist.blogspot.com) = ISTP
New Dr. Isis blog (www.scienceblogs.com/isisthescientis) = ISFP
Wonder if certain people are percieving her as having "toned it down" because of whatever this is measuring. Everyone knows women are "supposed" to be Fs (it's the only trait with a gender bias).
Posted by: Becca | November 21, 2008 6:13 PM
INTP - The Thinkers
The logical and analytical type. They are especialy attuned to difficult creative and intellectual challenges and always look for something more complex to dig into. They are great at finding subtle connections between things and imagine far-reaching implications.
They enjoy working with complex things using a lot of concepts and imaginative models of reality. Since they are not very good at seeing and understanding the needs of other people, they might come across as arrogant, impatient and insensitive to people that need some time to understand what they are talking about.
And I thought I was special and received a personalized description of my true self. Now I see that I just like many others here. How plain and disappointing!
Posted by: Ken | November 23, 2008 4:25 PM
Hmmm. Yet Another Mechanic, whereas I *always* test out as a strong N, not an S (INTP, though the P/J is a closer split).
My guess is either that I choose to blog about topics that lend themselves to Sensing, rather than iNtuition. Or it could just be a flawed analysis. Or an insufficient sample size (must need to blog more). Or a flawed analysis.
Posted by: Chard | November 24, 2008 2:19 PM
Hi there! I came across this post through my Google Alerts for the word "MBTI." This may or may not be of interest to you, but I write a blog about the MBTI and wrote a post about how Typealyzer is basically junk. I know lots of people are checking it out for entertainment sake- and that's totally cool...but I hope you don't confuse those "blog type" results for your own personality type. Anyway, I won't go into why the site is junk here, I just wanted to let you know if you wanted to learn more, here's the original post: http://www.thembtiblog.com/2008/11/websites-that-ruin-my-day.html.
I also have a discussion in the comments section with the creator of the Typealyzer site.
Posted by: Breanne | December 9, 2008 1:02 AM