At a glance

The Alpha and Gamma quadras share members from two of the four clubs: SF's aka "Socialites" and NT's aka "Researchers". As previously already stated on the quadras page the relative "age" of Alpha is childhood and for Gamma it is adulthood.

Alpha-lites V Gamma-lites

I usually find that Gamma-lites have maturity in social situations whilst Alpha-lites have immaturity. I don't wish to claim which way is right or wrong. All that matters here is the existence of some kind of difference in how these Socialites act.

Let's consider the following examples:

• The Gamma ESFp "Ambassador" might have the impulsive boldness to establish new relations with people although its their Alpha counterpart the ESFj "Enthusiast" who would probably end up maintaining the organisation of these new relations. I particularly know an ESFp female who loves to engage with people although doesn't like to take on positions of authority in their large social networks whilst I know the odd ESFj male who regularly arranges social events in the community.
• The Gamma ISFj "Guardian" usually has a conservative view on keeping social harmony between people. For example, they'd probably abhor people that use profanity. Their Alpha counterpart the ISFp "Mediator" would likely have a more liberal view recognising the potential disharmony of people who use profanity although wouldn't make it into an issue until it actually appears like one.

Alpha-searchers V Gamma-searchers

As an Alpha-searcher myself I appreciate that we tend to have a curious wonder when it comes to new ideas and technology. Gamma-searchers on the other hand tend to focus their attention on ideas that can be turned into marketable products rather than pure unadulterated innovating like Alpha-searchers.

Some relevant examples:

• The Alpha ENTp "Searcher" exposes a fresh philosophy or outlook based on the ingenuity of piecing together new and old ideas. The Gamma ENTj "Pioneer" then takes those ideas and considers the business potential for mass-market. The adulthood maturity of the ENTj usually leads them to edit and remove superfluousness that the over-zealous childhood maturity of the ENTp produced. In other words, when a person creates a film or book say, it takes a certain kind of adult maturity to make it relevant, concise and saleable in-line with what the target market demands.

• The Alpha INTj "Analyst" through countless observations of society proclaims a new way of looking at and thus doing things. The Gamma INTp "Critic" then looks at those findings and criticises the potential business value of them. The adulthood maturity of the INTp allows them to see-through all the potential garbage that the childhood maturity of the INTj has produced to give an appraisal. In other words, the INTj may revel in their ability to understand personality type although the INTp will usually criticise that people don't need to know this stuff unless you turn it into a marketable product or service.

A quote from Pirates of Silicon Valley¹ which I believe represents the Alpha-to-Gamma difference in regards to business/innovation attitudes and maturity:

We're better than you are (pauses)[;] we have better stuff - Noah Wyle as Steve Jobs, speaking to Anthony Michael Hall as Bill Gates

An "alpha attitude" from Jobs I would say in the context of Apple's products more well-thought out except…

You don't get it, Steve. That doesn't matter. - Gates' reply to the previous

The "gamma maturity" wins this battle because mass-marketability is more important than what works technically best in the case of Microsoft's products. Hence anything with an "alpha attitude" usually remains highly niched such as the "free" Linux-based operating systems where technical efficiency and community driven innovation rules over mass-marketable bloatware controlled by a single company forced to devise new ways to keep their profits flowing in.

Conclusions

• Even though I have tried to really pigeon-hole some attitudes and ways of thinking as coming specifically from the Alpha/Gamma quadras it becomes apparent that I can't do that perfectly.
  • For example, Jobs may have a mix of alpha/beta maturities i.e. audacious innovation coupled with a teenage "idealistic spirit" for why new technology is important for society and how it will change our lives, take the new iPhone for instance.
  • Gates may have a mix of gamma/delta maturities i.e. reliable business attitudes coupled with age-old wisdom on what has traditionally worked and may continue to work for society such as how Microsoft made "a deal with the devil" so to speak with IBM when they were granted licensing rights for their operating system on their computers.
• This provides even more proof to me of another theoretical possibility known as "dual-typology". I could say that Jobs could represent an "INTj-ENFj" with the combined child/teen-hood maturities from the most "immature" Alpha/Beta quadras. Part "analyst" for noticing societal problems and needs and part "actor" for having the finesse, charm, persuasion and leadership ability to begin a revolution.
• Similarly Gates could represent an "INTp-ESTj" with the combined adult/elder-hood maturities from the most "mature" Gamma/Delta quadras. Part "critic" for keeping his cool in solving business problems and part "director" for having the ability to get things organised and happening.
• Regarding Alpha+Beta Vs Gamma+Delta quadras there are further arguments to be explored e.g. views on capitalism, culture, politics, religion and marketing etc.

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