Information Aspects within Fiction

This is also called Time Intuition.

Before language and humanity had existed, before all the life on Earth — and the dawning of the Cosmos, there was Time. For the briefest moments, we live. Then Time will continue to pass, long after we die and our Sun burns out. Amidst ourselves in their day-to-day activities, it is in our dreams that we comprehend a greater purpose to living than the materialist view of "work, pee-pee, sleep, rinse and repeat."

Introverted Intuition is the experiencing of past and present becoming future in Time - the search for meaning beyond the surface, the investment into the intangible.. the Aristotelian "essences" of things, and above it - the hope, the yearning for Eternity. Because of Ni's associative nature (tints of one thought cascading into another) - associating Sunsets with oranges, grass fields, the end of a day - it can just as well be conflated with Dream Logic: concerning archetypes, mirroring, your fantastic imagery of things never-before-existant.

What is a written story? From a point of view, our writing is just formulated letters into words - of whose sentences progress its readers' mental state from one point to another, as desired by the Author to evoke thoughts and feelings. But that's a very bland way of going about it. Is Film just ink-stained celluloid accompanied by a soundtrack? Or likely beneath that description, is it worth more to say that what we imagine what's projected on the screen is as real as the chairs we sit upon?

Film, like other arts reflects Life through our lenses. We can feel so invested in the story and characters.. some people (like me) think of a movie as Oneric - it's like a two-hour dream we're experiencing, and the film takes us to the same places where our dreaming touches. (You ever have one of those kinds of dreams where you meet people, and it feels like you've longed for them all your life, but when the alarm rings - you're only left with an empty room. Dreams can be very enticing.)

And when you step out of the theatre and popcorn smell.. you are left bedazzled, impressions of what you've seen still buzzing around in your mind. Especially for films rich with layered meaning, like David Lynch's surreal narratives and Kubrick's 2001 (or you've probably heard about Mamoru Oshii in Anime.) - you're provoked to ruminate over it days after the initial viewing, and watching it for the second or 100th time, you're delving deeper, discovering something new to the experience you haven't known before. Whether you're ten years old now, or watching it again at the age of 80. You might become inspired to make such a story of your own.

To have a convincing story however, you don't have to root it to the ground in Realism. You only need to believe in it. That's why we have the bestselling fantastic literature: Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy (besides magical realism) - of which they stem from the same roots as faery tales and mythology of yore. They have strong archetypes and symbolic images - which don't seem to feature as much in more highbrow literary works, but they affect us on the unconscious level in the way that myths once did.

In some ways, the conventions of realistic fiction and drama can impose serious limitations on storytelling. For one thing, if you play by the rules and pace required to establish Realism, it can take a lot longer to make a point than it does, say, in fantasy. At the same time, it is possible that this very aspect contributing to a story's realism may weaken its grip on the unconscious. Realism is probably the best way to dramatize argument and ideas. Fantasy may deal best with themes which lie primarily in the unconscious.

The unconscious appeal of a ghost story, for instance, lies in its promise of immortality. If you can be frightened by a ghost story, then you must accept the possibility that supernatural beings exist. If they do, then there is more than just oblivion waiting beyond the grave. The popularity of SF suggests that popular culture, at least, isn't getting what it wants from Realism.

The ones who dream of such scenarios, the people like me who bury their heads in the clouds, we delve inside ourselves to make the imaginary more truthful than daily living. What's always in our mind is a kaleidoscopic journey of inner searching and discovery; a journey to enrich every breath we take, every step we make in the moving stream. Row row row your boat, gently down the stream; merrily merrily merrily merrily Life is but a dream.

And what waits us at our lives' end? When we see the sun sleep in the West for a last time, Mememto mori.. Maybe we're all born again happy in a higher dimension beyond our senses. But we don't live to tell about it. Maybe our last night will stretch for a very long moment.. our minds fading into the infinite as we face the beautiful images we've accumulated in our lifetimes, our mothers who gladly gave birth for us, our family.. friends and people who are long gone in memory. That moment when you've found your first love, and parted lips. And soon just the rawest emotions in your petite heart as it turns into a bizarre, poignant parade.

All this that passes, as the Light grows ever brighter and closer..

What does it mean for you and the world? It's almost inaccessible to outside judgement; sometimes Ni seems aloof to actual, tangible reality. Its perceptions can be very hard to articulate directly - you might feel like the 'voice of one crying in the wilderness' in doing so, and everyone else can overwhelm if they're hostile to your imaginings. But once you've sublimated (making mature use of) Introverted Intuition, you may produce very extraordinary, remote and unique things, which in iridescent profusion embrace both the significant and the banal, the lovely and the grotesque, the whimsical and the sublime. (Beauty and Truth are as inextricably linked as light and shadow.)

From an objective and rational standpoint, Ni is likely the most fruitless, strangest aspect. But, from a spiritual point of view, Ni is living evidence that this rich and varied world we live in with its overflowing and intoxicating life lies not just outside ourselves, but also within - yielding that Other Possibility in which our civilization is so deplorably wanting.

Intuition involves the process of creating mental imagery. Such images are usually described in speech through use of metaphors and figures of speech. The more the description of an object or situation is abstracted from a multitude of concrete details, the more complete and multi-faceted an image can be.

Through the pole of intuition, the object can be perceived in its wholeness and entirety and strives to understand with the generalities.

Overlapping themes:

• Describing Time:
  • Ne: Time is an external process and is described in relatively concrete terms - including specific time intervals or amounts of time.
  • Ni: Time is an internal sensation, felt subjectively; what does time seem to be doing, and how does it feel to be in the flow of events?
• Perceiving non-material aspects of reality:
  • Ne: Guesses or derives insight about the outside non-material world, with intuitive guess, realisations, insights, motives, paradoxes and prospects.
  • Ni: Describes the reflection of the non-material world within: foreseeing, imagining, anticipating trends, and an overall sense of meaning.

Both extroverted and introverted Sensing involve concreticization - emphasizing the specific characteristics and details inherent to the object or situation - looking at the specifics.

Overlapping themes:

• Describing an object's observable characteristics:
  • Se: Physical traits are perceived objectively, without referencing how it felt to the individual. Aspects like size, shape, colour.
  • Si: Physical traits are felt subjectively - what did it feel like, the sandy beach on your toes?
• Handling objects:
  • Se: Describes the handling of objects as an objective physical act; throwing, grabbing, sticking, pushing, removing, hitting, fitting, etc.
  • Si: Describes the personal experience of handling and interacting with objects: holding, rubbing, hugging, squeezing, etc.
• Assimilating Space:
  • Se: Describes the physical act of assimilating an area (territory). To look around, squeeze in, get through, rearrange, influence, put in its place.
  • Si: Describes subjective experience of space: getting adjusted, get cozy, make comfortable.
• Needs and Desires:
  • Se: Desires are the need to consume an outside object. "I really need.. want.. come on. I want you to."
  • Si: The inside experience and physiological process of satisfying one's needs and desires, the sensations associated with health, illness, exertion, Sex!, pleasure, eating and drinking.

Both extroverted and introverted logic describe one's thought processes - reaching logical conclusions about something. Introverted Logic generally describes thought processses, expressed in analysis or classifications. Extroverted Logic describes the outside manifestations of this process - one's awareness of one's actions.

Both of these aspects involve citing facts and data:

• Te: Citing data serves as the subject of discussion, and the order of listing is irrelevant.
• Ti: A reflection of information's internal structure.

Also in common is the theme of discussion - express and substantiating one's thoughts, as well as the habit of referring to the functioning of living things (like people) as if they were mere mechanisms.

Overlapping themes:

• Clarifying information:
  • Te: Essentially treats facts and data as external, autonomous objects - emphasising facts, details, principles, algorithms, and the act of expressing them.
  • Ti: Perceives data in the context of its structure and organization. What is its construction, model, organization, outline, system and structure?
• Asking clarifying questions:
  • Te: Focuses on the what and how of facts and data.
  • Ti: Focuses on the why? The logical basis of assertions.
• Substantiating one's own and others' conclusions:
  • Te: Focuses on the outward proof of assertions - facts, examples, illustrations, concrete data and its interpretation.
  • Ti: A focus on internal proofs of the logic of statements, and the consistancy of logical principles applied.

Both extroverted and introverted ethics describing influencing and influences on people's feelings - with vocabulary such as offend, turn on, enthrall, infuriate, scare, get interested. Fe and Fi emphasise somewhat different sides of this aspect:

• Fe: Focused on external action as a way of changing the emotional atmosphere (by saying or doing something).
• Fi: Changes in the subject's inner emotional state as a result of this impact.

The same is true of emotional states. Extroverted ethics emphasises outward showings (facial expressions, gestures, words) - while introverted ethics emphasises internal feelings, though the theme itself is a part of both aspects.

"Bad printer!" Shion exclaims. "This numbskull is possessed by the Devil. I swear, one more goddamn time SAY 'SPOOLING ERROR' AGAIN."

("What a creep mean person.")

Overlapping themes:

• Relationships between people:
  • Fe: The external showings of relationships - meeting, make friends, be friends, flirt, date, break up, make up, break off, suck up.
  • Fi: Describes the person's experience of relationhips - being grateful, admiring, loving, fall in love, hate, be offended, embarassed, valuing.
• Influencing feelings:
  • Fe: A focus on the observable actions with emotional interaction; excite, praise, get going, hurt, fool, offend, cheer up, scafre, make laugh, comfort, calm down.
  • Fi: A focus on internal feelings; get tired of, make nervous, offend, let down, irritate, make happy.
• Expressing emotions:
  • Fe: With visible emotional states - edginess, gloominess, breakdown, boredom, quietness, ecstasy, horror, panic, enthusiasm, sarcasm.
  • Fi: Inside emotions - guilt, unrest, delight, pride, annoyance, fright, love, hate, hurt, feeling, shame, embarassment.
• Adverbs on how actions are done and one's attitude towards them:
  • Fe: Gladly, dismally, wonderfully, half-heartedly, discreetly, sexily.
  • Fi: Frankly, honestly, decently, in a friendly manner, in a good/bad way, tactfully/tactlessly.

Once upon a time, the idea of Information Metabolism was presented by Kepinski in 1970, and that was further developed by him and others. It seemed that models of the psyche impose a dualistic characterization of human beings - but that when it is explained mechanistically (more like a cog in a machine), it doesn't consider the livelihood of inner psychological life: experiences, creativity, dreams.

So a biological analogy is more apt. The term "energetic-informational metabolism" was used to denote life - or more specifically, the two processes without which sentient life would not be possible. Just as the life of the body is dependent on the material (energetic) metabolism (the exchange with the environment by substance and energy, as well as the building of the body), the life of the human psyche is dependent on Information Metabolism.

Stemming from there, the idea comes that each person shows a preference for different information aspects in their reality. Some people like structures and hierachies. Other people enjoy feelings, and the sensation of time. This carries over to evolution, where each species would specialize differently so they might survive in this world. Dogs form packs, dandelions let wind spread their seeds.

This not only occurs between species, but also within species. Gender can be considered the most basic form of intra-species specialization, for example. And then the less obvious - in dogs, rats, beavers and primates. Even people! We all share the same body structure (besides gender differences), but notice how we have different behavioural niches based on our varying physical and psychological traits. We have complex group interaction, and we ultimately are interconnected, doubled, ever needing each other in life.

(I personally believe no one is ever worthless or a waste. It is a crime that did not exist until it was named.)

Now we shall look at how psychological differences show, with the Jungian aspects I mentioned.

This is Model A. This eight-piece numbered Tetris block. Each of these eight blocks indicate connected Functions that describe how each information aspect shows in a person. It determines overall pattern's in one's behaviour, which will have a strong influence on the interactions with others. It's different from MBTI, where you usually only see four functions.

In this model, blocks 1 2 3 4 is part of the mental (ego-ic) sphere - what we consciously realize of ourselves. Where:

• Row 1, 2 is the EGO
  I know
  - creative block, and
• Row 4, 3 is the SUPER-EGO
  I must
  - block of social control.

Blocks 5 6 7 8 is part of the vital (id) sphere, the automatic and unconscious part of ourselves.

• Row 6, 5 is the SUPER-ID
  I want
  - block of individual control, and
• Row 7, 8 is the ID
  I can
  - block of individual activity.

There are overall 16 possible arrangements of Information Aspects in the blocks. (MBTI familiars would grin.) And to use myself for an example, I would be considered an INFp / Intuitive-Ethical Introvert (IEI). You can look up your own type here.

Before I forget, must mention first the irrational and rational type of functions. It's important for ze sake of ze ordering.

• Irrational functions are the hunter-gatherers of information. Inputs perception. Intuition and Sensation either look at the whole picture or the specific sensory details respectively.
• Rational functions are the interpreters of the gathered information. Outputs judging. Feeling and Logic manifest to make the most of its respective aspect. "Why aren't you boys working harder?"

Let's move on to the first row.

This row contains the aspects of reality which a person perceives with the greatest depth and clarity, and can express with the greatest ease. It's the most natural and common state of mind and behaviour. It shows in the behaviour style used in interacting with other people, and also a certain perspective that l'homme injects into the things he says.

For moi, it is Ni and Fe. Introverted perception coupled with extroverted judging. Mew.

1: The leading function. It can also be called the base, program, or simply first! function. It is one's most dominant psychic function. Here, it can describe generally your most comfortable thinking patterns, perspective about life, state of mind, and behaviour - as well as your preferred motivational forces (If you had a choice.. what would you pursue?)

It can be either one of the eight functions here, Ni, Ne, Fe,.. and your perception/judging preference is ultimately based on the perception/judging function that lies here.

It is critical to interpersonal dynamics because people constantly and inadvertently make connections based on it. These connections portray a particular set of core values and share a common vector or general message, and those who you interact with must be accepting of this message for interaction to be a goodly.

So generally thinking, this leading function perceives, processes and produces its information most intensively. When you speak or act freely from your leading function, you have a sense of robust confidence.

Proper development and acknowledgement of your leading function is crucial to your personal growth. It would be ideal if you find people who are naturally accepting of your core values and most natural, confident behaviour styles.

Profession-wise, your base function provides ze base platform for developing a unique niche, that will bring much goodly value to people. (Rather than describing the professions you would be best at, your base function describes a general approach and behaviour style that can be applied to virtually any field of activity. Ti looks at the structure of storytelling, Fe looks at the emotions stories give off. But that still doesn't make me a good detail-oriented accountant.)

Using your base function comes effortlessly, and most naturalment, so you make a sense of inner satisfaction regardless if it's worth a damn. You can easily develop your base function's activities into highly effective and productive abilities — alors, there's a tendency that if you indulge too much in the base function, a feeling of emptiness and pointlessness comes. (This is where the creative function comes in.)

The influence of base function on perception and core values is so strong, people tend to project their values onto other people. Surely, everyone must want the same things I want - to some degree. This projection can become a source of conflict with other people who possess opposing values. It can also be just what you need, if you find your Dual-partner. (I talk of this later.)

2: Creative function. It is here you apply your base function for a real sense of purpose. If your base function asks, "What's in it for me?" and "What do I wish to be?" - the creative function is how you interact with the rest of society, larger than yourself. "So how do I make contact with other people?"

For extroverts, this means making a context for people to interact within, and for introverts like moi - making a product worthy of being included in interaction.

If you have an introverted perceiving function like Si, Ni, then your creative function can be either of the Extroverted judging aspects: Te or Fe. Or if you have extroverted perceiving (Se, Ne), you need an Introverted judging aspect (Fi, Ti) in order to bring balance to your psychic standpoint. One cannot have both perceiving in Base and Creative functions, nor both judging. Or both introverted/extroverted. You need output for input, and vice versa. Because of this, there are a total of 16 different valid combinations, and resultant types.

People use this creative function less than their base function - they attach less personal significance to it; but because of the nature of blocked functions, it is ideally used in tandem with the base function.

As it is the creative function, when you encounter problems with this informaton aspect, you can quickly take an interest in solving issues and presenting solutions - always from the respect of your own base function.

One example: as an INFp, I'm quite attuned to the outward emotional atmosphere (Fe), and if you ask me how I would make a romancing between lizard-people more convincing, I'd draw upon my own memories and essences to tell you that you're putting too much emphasis on the outward gestures, whilst ignoring the inner ideal of love. Or that I can warn if it'll turn bad later on from the trends that I see ongoing.

Or another example: an ISFj, being blocked with Fi and Se, will try solving problems related to boundaries and power-disputes through their value system - how X relates to Y, and how X can come across Y nicer. Compare this with an ESFp, who having Se and Fi respectively, would solve Fi-related problems; relationships and agreements between people through the perspective of Se: making sure you know what you want and achieving it, understanding the territorial part of interaction, and recognizing the obvious "dumb things" that could otherwise ruin ze relationship.

(It must be mentioned that under less healthier states, one's stressed use of the ego functions can prove detrimental to himself and those around him. A not-so-healthy ISFj will exploit interpersonal relations to get what he wants, solicit scorn and underhanded attacks to weed out his "enemies" via whatever political means and re-secure his sense of power and stability. Those means will seem absolutely civil, even "moral," by all APPEARances, and any foul play will be disguised under para-moralisms.)

Use of your creative function - while it's frequent and also effortless - seems to turn on and off some days. One moment you can be interested in this aspect, and the next - totally indifferent.

When you get to realize your creative function meaningfully, you'll feel more fulfilled and needed, and begin to live more fully. Remember not to stress yourself too much over it. (Criticism in this area can be sensitive and unpleasant.)