Myers-Briggs personalities and autism

I think it was a great observation by Jung and it can be helpful to the individual to know themselves a bit better or to steer them in the right direction career-wise. For example, it would be useful to those starting out or changing careers as it could be a very stressful or costly error for, say, an extrovert to take a job as a lighthouse keeper or stuck on their own everyday or for an introvert to take high-flying sales or corporate jobs that had no meaning to them. 

So while it can be useful if the individual stumbles across Myers-Brigg, there are other areas where perhaps it could be useful but ignored, like the education system, in the sense, that all the personality types have different ways of learning. Yet we still have largely a one-size-fits-all system when it comes to mandatory, mainstream Primary & Secondary education. It still amazes me that whilst we have changed massively as a society since the Industrial Revolution and made rapid advances in technology, that we somehow still have this rigid and hugely outdated education system where we send our children to a place where bells or buzzers sound periodically like a regimented factory of 200 years ago and where desks are lined up like production lines facing the person in charge.

And this is without mentioning Autism. 

Yes, it feels to me as though the one-size-fits-all approach extends way beyond education too.  And certainly within the workplace I found that certain personality types were more favoured and sought after.  When I first entered the jobs market back in the 80s, for example, there were so many job adverts which basically seemed to be looking for extroverts.  And, if I wasn't usually able to at least present as a decisive self-starter/team player with a "shirt-sleeves" approach and a busy social life (for those awkward questions about what I liked to do in my spare time) then, in order to get the job, I'd better at least pretend to be for interview purposes.  

I think this might have been where my mask solidified and trapped little ole introverted me in a kind of self-imposed dungeon.  To allow the introvert out was often to invite criticism so better only do that within the sanctuary that is my home.  

Now, with a bit more thought and awareness (and actually knowing that I'm autistic, unlike the first 55 years of my life!) I am more able to carve out something that doesn't involve extreme masking.  Sadly though, the lighthouses are unmanned and they're generally not taking on any more librarians.  I like my counselling (second/later life career) but maybe there's also some work going on a remote weather station somewhere or some conservation project miles from anywhere?    

Yes, it feels to me as though the one-size-fits-all approach extends way beyond education too.  And certainly within the workplace I found that certain personality types were more favoured and sought after.  When I first entered the jobs market back in the 80s, for example, there were so many job adverts which basically seemed to be looking for extroverts.  And, if I wasn't usually able to at least present as a decisive self-starter/team player with a "shirt-sleeves" approach and a busy social life (for those awkward questions about what I liked to do in my spare time) then, in order to get the job, I'd better at least pretend to be for interview purposes.  

I think this might have been where my mask solidified and trapped little ole introverted me in a kind of self-imposed dungeon.  To allow the introvert out was often to invite criticism so better only do that within the sanctuary that is my home.  

Now, with a bit more thought and awareness (and actually knowing that I'm autistic, unlike the first 55 years of my life!) I am more able to carve out something that doesn't involve extreme masking.  Sadly though, the lighthouses are unmanned and they're generally not taking on any more librarians.  I like my counselling (second/later life career) but maybe there's also some work going on a remote weather station somewhere or some conservation project miles from anywhere?    

Absolutely, it is widespread. If you have a look at the job market today, with a few exceptions, especially in the lower ends, entry level, unskilled, semi-skilled and jobcentres, agencies etc, they basically want to own you. You must be flexible, a team player, able to do summersaults and stand on your head whilst juggling at the same time..... all for a pittance, min wage or so. Of course, if you are lucky enough to be qualified in something or work for a big company, the pay may be higher but the superman/wonderwomen expectations and criteria of the above are still there today and widespread. 

It's very interesting as to what Alan Greenspan said at he time, during the ' so called boom years ' .

If you go lower than that, then you are into the horrors of zero-hour contracts and the benefit system, falling mental health, poverty, debt and so on which by all accounts are the most brutal and less generous/civilised here in comparison with other European countries.

Priority of Personality types, mental health and the greater good for society does not yet exist nor is it on the radar of government or society at large because of the idiotic way we structure and organise our society and communities to be ruled by a central power i.e - the ego. 

At the moment, for example, none of us truly believe in all the nonsense that divides us. It is just repetitively widespread and bombarded upon us by the minority that has the most money. 

Quite obviously, as the warning sign from the UN has turned to red regarding climate change, 5 mins to midnight, we can no longer live or accept this stupefied  status quo. 

Yes, it's kinda  going off the subject in a way, but everything is connected. 

I admire your ability to make the shift in career and conquer so much through understanding. 

You have travelled so far and gave us all inspiration.