Kaz, I am more than slightly pleased that this thread has helped you see factors other than bipolar in your reactions to things. I came to the conclusion that understanding my personality and that of others would clarify a lot of things about my own behaviours and interactions with the world, and though I wouldn't take everything the MBTI-related sites have to say as gospel, a lot of it holds up well to critical evaluation and has given me plenty of insight.
You're more than welcome to vent, too. The situations you described would likely enrage me, also, and that is true to what I have learned about both our types. Committees unfortunately, are very much subject to groupthink. For the benefit of all, I'll throw in a description of that from Wiki:
Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative viewpoints by actively suppressing dissenting viewpoints, and by isolating themselves from outside influences.
If a PhD on committee behaviour involved experimenting on them like rats in a maze, you might enjoy it. 😉
It's not at all in my nature or, it seems, yours to run with committee-type thinking, no matter how popular it may be. Very occasionally the rational voice can turn others around, but not often. Though I recall a moment at uni, in which the class was arrayed in a circle and given a piece of work done by the tutor to evaluate in relation to the task. They all gave half-hearted positive evaluations to keep the peace, until it came to me to speak. I said it completely missed the point. There were gasps around the room, then after a bit, a meek agreement came from somewhere nearby. Then another. And another. It was a gratifying moment. I said what everyone was thinking but afraid to say, and it was good to draw out the honesty (as an unpopular or unpleasant fact is always better than a pretty lie, to me; you can't fix what you don't acknowledge).
Rob, I thought you were an INFP? As indicated by the whole caring thing. We INTPs aren't renowned for our strength in that area. On a side note, I really like your description of the bridge between "biological and soft" and "artificial and sharp". It's a pretty accurate comparison.
