Strategic thinking introverts ignore those they deem lacking in high intelligence because forming connections and building relationships are intellectual pursuits.
Strategic thinking introverts described as INTJ, ISTJ, and INTP personality types are highly sensitive and often spot anti-intellectuals immediately.
It has been said that ignorance is bliss, and these introverts were blissfully ignorant until the machinations of human nature enlightened them.
As children, they learned how the world operated and developed a worldview that rarely changed as they got older.
These early experiences left an indelible mark on their psyche.
How the world influenced introverts
Researcher Lesley Sword (n.d.) noted that “…While introverts are a minority group in society, they form the majority of gifted people. Moreover, it appears that introversion increases with intelligence, so more than 75% of people with an IQ above 160 are introverted” (para. 2).
These introverts started out more optimistic and idealistic than their counterparts because they had vivid imaginations about the world and what could be achieved.
Thus, emerged a value gap between strategic thinking introverts and anti-intellectuals.
This value gap entails the love of new knowledge, insight, and clarity of purpose of strategic thinking introverts versus the barbaric, irrational, and simple thought patterns of anti-intellectuals.
These introverts cannot remember when they were not preternaturally curious and academically inclined. As a result, they were the targets of the anti-intellectuals from the beginning.
So, when did strategic thinking introverts start ignoring others?
They started ignoring others once they understood that their openness and natural congeniality were being used against them.
For these introverts, ignoring people is a defense mechanism for blocking unwanted and uninvited attention.
It’s uncomfortable in a hostile world where anti-intellectualism is pervasive and often takes center stage.
As strategic thinking introverts age, their greatest joy is returning to their intellectual space where they no longer have to adhere to the rules of political correctness.
Time has only shown the decadence of human nature playing itself out every day as strategic thinking introverts merely attempt to live in peace with their thoughts and ideas.
Why introverts don’t like you
Ignoring people is comfort for having to deal with them at all.
But, if they have to interact, strategic thinking introverts will do so with minimal energy being expended.
Author Maryann Reid said, “We force ourselves to act as we like you. This is the nasty truth. We know who we like and don’t. It can stem from many reasons that have their roots in childhood to what we ate for breakfast this morning. Don’t take it personally. We appreciate honesty, and sometimes it hurts. To survive, we have to supersede these feelings and be nice. Nice can be harder than being real” (para. 7).
Extroverts typically have no problem expressing themselves, especially regarding things that anger them, but introverts are slightly different. In his article, “10 Signs You’ve Pissed an Introvert Off,” Elliot Figueira said, “Introverts sometimes don’t show anger in the ways you would expect, especially if you’re looking at the world through the perspective of an extrovert. When introverts get pissed off, they tend to “shut down.” This means they will say as little as possible, usually in one-word sentences. For example, “Yes,” “No,” “Fine,” and so on. This is because they’re doing the least amount of social exertion possible to end the conversation as quickly as possible. This is actually more effective than not saying anything if the introvert wants to get people to go away because if they don’t reply, then the person will start pestering them, saying, “Why are you ignoring me?” Or, “Tell me what’s wrong…” and so forth. One-word answers are their way of saying, “Go away.” This sign of anger is sometimes hard to spot, because the introvert might put very little emotion into their voice, or they might even try to fool you by faking happiness with their one-word answers” (p. 1).
These commentaries might suggest to the uninitiated that strategic thinking introverts have a chip on their shoulders.
However, this could not be further from the truth.
Strategic thinking introverts want a society steeped in civility, rules, and intellectual understanding.
In other words, adopting better reasoning skills based on mainstream values progressively moves society forward.
Because these introverts see the world in black and white, they don’t understand any justification for not living up to one’s intellectual capabilities.
If such unwillingness exists, it is due to the flawed and regressive value systems embraced by many anti-intellectuals.
If strategic thinking introverts ignore you, they lack the patience and tolerance to accept your mediocrity.
And these introverts are not coming down to your level; you will have to come up to theirs.
As contemporary society sinks deeper and deeper into an abyss, strategic thinking introverts will consistently create silos that allow them to become more self-reliant and self-sustained as they rid themselves of any direct exposure to social decadence.
So, the next time someone goes out of their way to ignore you, they are not being anti-social.
They may have labeled you an anti-intellectual because your nonverbal cues speak louder than words.
—George McKinsey
References
Figueira, E. (2017, May 30). 10 signs you’ve pissed an introvert off. Psych2Go. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3zxFA8o.
Reid, M.(n.d.). 15 things that introverts would never tell you. Lifehack. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3Qr2BAD.
Sword, L. (n.d.). The gifted introvert. High Ability. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3P1Gyzq.
