Your Voice: MBTI’s role in discrimination; preserving history with a lens (short letters)

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  • This week, students write about a popular personality test, documentaries, pay-to-play games, and more
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How do you feel about personality tests like the MBTI? Photo: Shutterstock

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Drawbacks of the MBTI test

Cadence Kwok, Marymount Secondary School

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) has taken the world by storm. It is no longer just a fun personality test but a tool fostering companionship while subtly perpetuating discrimination.

It is baffling that a test, criticised for its over-generalisation and rigid categorisation, can supposedly sum up our unique personalities.

With a world population of eight billion, how can we fit into just 16 types? This mindset traps people in their comfort zones since they see their results as destiny and something they can’t change.

While people elsewhere may be curious about their friends’ MBTI types just for fun, in South Korea, it can impact job prospects.

MBTI results play a significant role in recruitment, often putting introverts at a disadvantage. This blatant bias against introverts, labelling them as “not team players,” perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Passionate, qualified applicants are denied opportunities because of their test results.

Before embracing similar trends, it’s wise to step back and avoid letting them dominate our perceptions of ourselves and others.

Should we trust our MBTI results? Expert discusses why we love personality tests and if they’re useful

Preserving legacies with a lens

Yan Kiu Ko, Shun Tak Fraternal Association Leung Kau Kui College

I am writing to discuss an interview I conducted with a documentary filmmaker, Rita Hung.

Hung’s journey into documentary work was deeply personal. “It comes down to two main reasons,” she explained. “My struggle in developing a relationship with my father, and the sight of my family growing old.”

Hung’s experiences taught her the role of communication and understanding one’s roots. It wasn’t until a father-daughter trip to China that Hung gained an appreciation for her father’s parenting style.

Witnessing her family members grow older also compelled Hung to record their thoughts and feelings. “It became hard for me to come to terms with the fact that I would have to lose them one day, so I decided that a record of their memories through film could be the best way to hold a piece of them with me forever.”

For students, Hung’s journey offers a profound lesson.

“Documentaries serve as a medium for individuals to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives,” she said. “We are able to learn from one another and bridge gaps that may exist between different cultures and backgrounds.”

Filmmaker Rita Hung shared her passion for storytelling with a group of secondary school students, imparting the importance of preserving personal narratives through the lens of documentary. Photo: SCMP

Lessons from regret

Edison Ng Chun-lun, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

As Form Five students, my classmates and I have experienced a whirlwind of emotions and events throughout our school lives. Friendships, competitions, and examinations have all played a pivotal role in shaping who we are.

Reflecting on my past, I have some regrets, and I can’t help but wonder what my life would have been like without them.

Regrets are a natural part of the human experience, and I’ve come to see them as valuable teachers in my life.

They have not only guided and challenged me but also played a significant role in shaping the person I am today. They have been the catalyst for my personal growth and self-discovery. It is through the lessons learned from my regrets that I have been able to achieve personal growth.

Regrets have a unique way of propelling us to become better versions of ourselves, compelling us to confront our mistakes and shortcomings. They have taught me the importance of reflection, learning, and making more informed decisions in the future.

Letting regrets be the guiding light that illuminates the way forward empowers us to make the most of the present and create an even brighter future.

Why your mental health will thank you for drawing boundaries and saying ‘no’

Pay and play

Fiona Yu, Pope Paul VI College

As a dedicated gamer, I feel compelled to share my perspective on the topic of paying for online games. I fully grasp the immense joy that games bring to players. I also recognise that the creation of top-notch games necessitates substantial financial and human resources, a reality that can only be sustained with monetary support from players.

Many games now adopt a free download plus payment model. Players can experience the fundamental gameplay for free. However, they need to pay to obtain special equipment, acceleration, and other features.

This model allows players to choose whether to pay, which is fair for those with different financial situations.

Nothing is wrong with a player who truly enjoys a game and is willing to pay for a better gaming experience. Game companies must charge fees to maintain operations and update their games.

However, I also hope game companies will design payment mechanisms with rationality and fairness, ensuring they do not exploit players.

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