Television programs and movies can be a great way to “type watch” and identify key Jungian mental functions and MBTI personality types used to create dialogue, conflict and resolution. I’m not a huge fan of 30 Rock but it definitely becomes more interesting observing the potential conflict pairs of Alec Baldwin’s TJ (thinking/Judgment) and Liz Lemmon’s FJ (Feeling/Judgment).
A good example of this is the episode, Audition Day, aired on November 5th. The Tracy Jordan Show management team has been directed to add a character to the show. Liz Lemmon (Tina Fey) and Pete Hornberger (Scott Adsit) are planning an audition session for Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin). Liz and Pete conspire to stage the audition so only one actor is the obvious choice. Throughout the discussion of how to pick the best actor, Jack directs Liz to “be logical and dispassionate”, to make decisions without empathy. He tells her that she is on top of a small pyramid and not to let emotions distract her from making decisions about those that built the pyramid. Sound like Extroverted Thinking?
"That's what I'm talking about, empathy. It's about as useless as the Winter Olympics” – Jack.
Liz poorly tries to be “a robot” and manage the audition preparation work with Pete without emotion but her feelings begin to drive her decision making process. Her preference and desire for group harmony (Extroverted Feeling) persists and she approves other staff of The Tracy Jordan Show to join the audition. Needless to say, the formal audition process breaks down and chaos ensues. Meanwhile, Jack has multiple opportunities to experience empathy towards the “common man” in New York and reconsiders his own snobbery towards others.
Ah, so does this mean we should not use empathy in the decision-making process to prevent chaos? Not at all. As Jack demonstrates, if we use all of our mental functions in the decision making process we could potentially find the perfect solution. Jack selects the robot impersonator, the one person who touched a person with New York bedbugs.
"I say we hire the one who lives by the code of the robot: Care. Love. Live." – Jack
OK, so robots are not famous for creating harmony and empathy. Perhaps that’s the irony and our real robot, Jack, has briefly discovered his own. Let’s see next week if he develops his new found empathy.
To learn more, watch the episode at:
http://vodpod.com/watch/2471581-hulu-30-rock-audition-day-watch-the-full-episode-now-
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