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Deltas value self sufficiency and somewhat strict pragmatism. Valuing , delta types orient themselves towards their lived physical environment and its immediate characteristics. Valuing , they are most concerned with the physical functionality of their world. Contrastingly, they are rather unconcerned with the aesthetic enjoyment that others might derive from what they do (although SLIs and IEEs tend to derive their aesthetics somewhat directly from highly functional, "organic" living), or with its long-term material value or impressiveness. Delta types are naturally driven to be able to directly monitor the functional aspects of their world, being "short-term" oriented rather than "long-term" (reflecting the predominance of over 
). As such, Delta types who both obsess over efficiency may tolerate gross inefficiencies in their way of living, so long as they are directly involved and self-sufficient. For instance, if in need of a table, a self-sufficient delta might decide to spend an inordinate amount of time and energy to build the table himself from a tree in his backyard, even if the cost of purchasing a new table is not particularly high. (Of course, gammas obsessing over efficiency may also tolerate gross inefficiencies in their lifestyles, in completely different ways).
To varying extents, strict pragmatism manifests itself in a disinterest with established convention, tradition, or ritual, in lieu of the strictly pragmatic elements of a situation. Deltas find it foolish to not use an available resource solely because of a cultural taboo; for instance, eating fish on Fridays when there is a legitimate nutrition-related reason to not eat fish, or wearing uncomfortable suits. Gammas, devaluing , also harbor this type of pragmatic worldview to an extent, though it is usually less prominent because of the reduced attention they have to the well functioning of their immediate physical environment where most of the opportunities for strict pragmatism exist.
As is described in other opinion essays, Delta types are inclined to evaluate information based on the reliability of the source, rather than its apparent concordance with existing ideas or the rapidly interpreted motivational states of others. Additionally, valuing , Deltas are attuned to the character and personal qualities of people. Valuing and devaluing 
, they are attuned not to the immediate impact of others, but to their potential for growth. Summarily, deltas do not exhibit the harsh judgment of gammas, but instead value judgments of good faith. Delta types tend to value the accumulation of interdisciplinary knowledge, focusing on the potential of each discipline to generate insights in other fields in unforeseeable ways.
Overall, Delta types are more open, optimistic and more easily move towards people than Gamma types. Despite these tendencies, however, deltas can be highly independent and individualistic, requiring self-sufficiency, independent judgment and confirmation, and a devaluation of 
-style collectivistic participation for the sake of participation. As such, while it is true that deltas move towards people at their core, you may not see them moving towards you at all.
Type-specific digressions
- The polarity of moving towards, yet remaining standoffish and absent is particularly true for EIIs. EIIs tend to avoid many situations that do not directly require their participation, instead being observers and "disembodied consciences." They can easily appear and act moralistic, standoffish, and judgmental, but inside they are driven by much more optimistic and welcoming forces than their ESI counterparts.
- The emphasis on self-sufficiency and strict pragmatism is partially lost on LSEs, who have role and sometimes have such an emphasis on inviting and engaging others that they appear highly conventional, and rely more than other deltas on structure others have created in the world. However, in examining the life choices of LSEs over an extended time, it becomes clear that no matter their surface pleasantness they still are motivated to follow their own muse and do their own practical labor (for instance as a real life example, Mike Rowe who is a businesslike and very energetic participant in a larger social world, yet who makes his living by documenting quintessentially delta-oriented labor practices).
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