Summary of "Explaining & Updating My Neurotyping Chart - Neurotyping Basics #2"

High-level summary

The video presents an updated “neurotyping” chart: a two-dimensional framework for classifying cognitive style. The chart’s axes are:

Linear ↔ Lateral: continuity/unitasking vs. multi-threaded/cloud-like thought.
Lexical ↔ Impressionistic: word/rule-based understanding vs. sensory/metaphor/aesthetic-based understanding.

The creator emphasizes that these are descriptions of thinking style, not social roles or fixed personality labels. People occupy regions on the chart (areas), not single points. IQ, diagnoses, and personality traits can vary independently of neurotype. Several category labels were renamed to reduce role-like connotations. The presenter demonstrates usage with examples (members of the PCP and other creators) and invites community participation (Reddit, livestreams) to map characters and creators.

Neurotyping is intended as a descriptive taxonomy of cognitive processing, not an assessment of intelligence, morality, or social role.

Key concepts and definitions

Linear vs Lateral thinking

Linear: a single continuous train of thought; unitasking; anchored in the present and concrete sequence. Easier to stay connected to current events and to react predictably.
Lateral: multiple simultaneous threads of thought; experience feels like a cloud. Less anchored to the immediate moment; holds many details and references at once; sees broad connections and meta-narratives.

Lexical vs Impressionistic thinking

Lexical: understands and internalizes via words, rules, and explicit explanations. Can explain itself quickly and precisely; favors literal and clearly defined frames.
Impressionistic: understands via imagery, metaphor, aesthetics, and holistic patterns. Often struggles to express ideas in precise language; circles an idea before verbalizing it and frequently rephrases.

Relationship between axes

Any combination is possible (e.g., lateral-lexical, lateral-impressionistic, linear-lexical, linear-impressionistic).
Impressionistic thinkers tend toward visual/audio/metaphorical learning; lexical thinkers prefer explicit rule-based explanations.

IQ and diagnoses

IQ is not a defining element of neurotype. Lateral thinking can provide the opportunity to process more simultaneous thoughts (sometimes correlating with higher measured IQ), but low-IQ lateral thinkers also exist.
The presenter notes tendencies (e.g., some lateral traits overlap with autism-spectrum characteristics; some impressionistic traits resemble dyslexic-like patterns) but stresses these are tendencies, not deterministic labels.

Titles vs thinking modes

Category names were changed to be descriptive of thinking style (examples: “middle managers” → “bookkeepers”; “brooders” → “contemplative”; “caretakers” → “understanding”; “room brighteners” → “externalists”).
These titles are descriptive, not prescriptive.

How to use the chart — methodology and instructions

Treat the chart as a continuous space, not a set of discrete roles. Avoid forcing someone into a single label.
Plot people as areas rather than points. Recommended placement spans about 4–9 blocks (the presenter suggests 6–9) to indicate typical range.
Consider plotting two dimensions per cognitive mode. One approach is two separate dots per person: one for impressionistic vs lexical orientation and another for lateral vs linear orientation.
Remember the chart measures cognitive processing style, not abilities, moral traits, or worth. Avoid value judgments based on chart position.
Use community deliberation to refine placements: create threads, discuss evidence, and try to reach consensus before finalizing.

Practical steps for mapping characters/people:

Listen to speech patterns: does someone explain things precisely (lexical) or circle/feel before explaining (impressionistic)?
Observe attention style: are they anchored in the present and unitask (linear) or juggling many threads/meta-connections (lateral)?
Note learning and expression modes: do they use rules/lists or metaphors/imagery?

Tools and resources offered by the presenter:

The original chart Photoshop document and a recommended font (Blue Highway) for creating neurotype cards.
A Reddit community (r/neurotyping) for debates and consensus-building.
Planned livestreams and videos that will neurotype creators and explore cross-cutting phenomena (e.g., flow states, sociopathy) across neurotypes.

Examples — applied neurotyping (selected)

The presenter places people in vicinities rather than absolute points and describes each briefly:

De Vu: extremely impressionistic; circles and re-explains points; strong aesthetic thinker.
Munchie: highly lateral/impressionistic; changes mind often; fast speech patterns that replace words.
Hippo: lateral tendencies; discards imperfect thoughts quickly.
Mage: impressionistic; sometimes feels defeated by words.
Jessie: strongly impressionistic; expects others to “get it”; has learned hyper-lexical explanation and writes poetically/aesthetically.
Ben Saint: externalist/expression-focused; uses metaphor and vivid imagery.
Presenter (creator): very lateral but fairly lexical; naturally good at producing lexical content (scripts) while being driven by aesthetics.
Nate: highly lexical; rule-set oriented; needs lexical breakdown to connect to ideas.
Tom: in the “understanding” category; sees rules but tolerates gray/impressionistic areas; well-suited for aesthetic/technical tasks like 3D modeling.
Monkey Jones: somewhat less lateral, more lexical; finds humor in rule-breaking.
Mother’s Basement: bookkeeper (linear/lexical); dislikes interruptions; thinks via stable train-of-thought and rules.
Other creators referenced (placements noted and generally accepted by them): Dick, MoonCult, Harmful Opinions.

Communities, collaborators, and logistics

The presenter’s Discord and collaborators (Carla and May) helped refine names and chart layout.
A Reddit community (r/neurotyping) was created to host debates and build consensus.
Planned activities: livestream neurotyping sessions, videos exploring how phenomena like flow and sociopathy manifest across neurotypes, and expanding a community-curated database of placements.

Lessons, cautions, and practical takeaways

Neurotyping is descriptive of cognitive style, not a personality or role taxonomy, and not a judgment of intelligence.
Most people are mixtures; map ranges rather than boxing people into a single slot.
Knowing someone’s preferred mode improves communication:
- Lexical people benefit from clear rules and explicit explanations.
- Impressionistic people benefit from metaphors, visuals, and patience for nonverbal processing.
Use the chart collaboratively to improve consistency and coverage.