Posted by Derf on June 27, 1999 at 16:15:47:
In Reply to: Re: 5w4 or 9w1 What's the difference? posted by Ryan on June 26, 1999 at 23:57:20:
>5s don't seem as cool. They seem kind of strange (and I'm not talking about looks. 5s can look and dress completely normal but there is still a strange "feel" when you are around one). Even at the healthiest levels, the unique strangeness of the 5 is always apparent (like Einstein, for instance, who some debate was a 9 because of his easygoing attitude, but in my opinion he was clearly a healthy 5w4.)
If I may, I would argue that this assumption is a popular enneagram cliche that (a) depends too much on the "mad scientist" stereotype, and (b) incidentally, should be done away with, or at least expanded upon sensibly, if the enneagram is ever to be taken more seriously. Fives have that strange "feel" only when they're nervous, and even then, it looks like just that - nervousness. On the other hand, they often look "smart." It surprises me that a you - a Five - would choose the pedestrian description "strange" over "smart." Anyway, as far as true inexplicable strangeness, Fours probably have it worse. Again, only when they're ill at ease.
Comments welcome, as always.
-Derf