NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm somewhat curious about the organization and I am fairly sure I'd pass the entry requirements. Just want some general information.

this is a trap right?

myself, my husband, and my oldest are members of the local chapter.

You have to take an IQ test and score in the top 2% to join, there are other tests that are accepted, but I recomend taking theirs, it's pretty cheap, about $25-$30 and they do tests about once a quarter.

No, just pure curiosity. I haven't had an official IQ test when I was 5, scored in the top 1%. School made me take it because my mother refused to let me go to Kindergarten. Apparently she had a bad experience. That test claimed I had an IQ of 134 with 100-110 being average.

Kind of curious about the group's activities, general composition and such. I rather wonder why they're not political aside from the concern of being seen as elitist.

I'm somewhat curious about the organization and I am fairly sure I'd pass the entry requirements. Just want some general information.

Why would you want to? It's full of people who are... Ahem... Full of themselves, for lack of a better term.

That's not to say that all Mensa members are that way, but a lot of them are. And their IQ tests are bogus at best.

No, just pure curiosity. I haven't had an official IQ test when I was 5, scored in the top 1%. School made me take it because my mother refused to let me go to Kindergarten. Apparently she had a bad experience. That test claimed I had an IQ of 134 with 100-110 being average.

Kind of curious about the group's activities, general composition and such. I rather wonder why they're not political aside from the concern of being seen as elitist.

Doesn't average have to be 100?

Also, yes, I be's a Mensite.

Woah I'm suprised that two people are mensa members from the first few posts. I thought people like that were rare. So what do you do In Mensa anyway?

No, just pure curiosity. I haven't had an official IQ test when I was 5, scored in the top 1%. School made me take it because my mother refused to let me go to Kindergarten. Apparently she had a bad experience. That test claimed I had an IQ of 134 with 100-110 being average.

Kind of curious about the group's activities, general composition and such. I rather wonder why they're not political aside from the concern of being seen as elitist.

my local group has book discussions, and stuff. Tonight they are all going out to the championship baseball game. On Thursday nights we play trivia.

Not really anything big, just fun.

I took the test and scored within the acceptable 2%, but MENSA is overcrowded with elitists who think their supposed intelligence makes them better than anyone else. I'd recommend this:

http://mathschallenge.net/

It has several interesting mathematical problems, as well as many programming/mathematical problems. It is overall quite entertaining and it's free. If you like doing math, you should enjoy it.

Woah I'm suprised that two people are mensa members from the first few posts. I thought people like that were rare. So what do you do In Mensa anyway?

rare walking down the street? sure. we have a strange concentration around here though.

we don't do much, other than hang out.

Woah I'm suprised that two people are mensa members from the first few posts. I thought people like that were rare. So what do you do In Mensa anyway?

Upper 2%, thus 2% of the population qualifies. I presume you're not a member.

so, because I am a Christian I get tagged with "self righteous" and now because I belong to mensa I am "full of myself"

when do I get a good stereotype?

so, because I am a Christian I get tagged with "self righteous" and now because I belong to mensa I am "full of myself"

when do I get a good stereotype?

You're a straight woman, thus you're kind hearted and a wonderful parent. Try being gay male and white and look for a good stereotype.

You're a straight woman, thus you're kind hearted and a wonderful parent. Try being gay male and white and look for a good stereotype.

you are a good friend? and......

yeah, you are right. sorry :(

all of my white male gay friends have been really good friends though, you know the type you can call and be like "I want chocolate" and they are all "I had a crappy day too, lets go hang out"

we don't do much, other than hang out and sacrifice those inferior to us to Kvasir.

sorry...couldn't resist;)

I took the test and scored within the acceptable 2%, but MENSA is overcrowded with elitists who think their supposed intelligence makes them better than anyone else.

I kind of wondered about that, though I didn't know if that actually happened or if it was just the popular TV stereotype of the intelligent. I swear our culture venerates stupidity.

I kind of wondered about that, though I didn't know if that actually happened or if it was just the popular TV stereotype of the intelligent. I swear our culture venerates stupidity.

I have found only 2 people in mensa that are elitists but I am pretty sure they were like that before they were members. The people in mensa are like the people anywhere else, it's not much different than any other kind of group.

You're a straight woman, thus you're kind hearted and a wonderful parent. Try being gay male and white and look for a good stereotype.

Straight white male Americans don't have it much better, for stereotypes. I'm obviously an evil oppressor who has mistreated every racial/national/religious type on the planet. :p

Be interesting to be in a group where I'm the dumb one and I don't have to use smaller words all the time.

I kind of wondered about that, though I didn't know if that actually happened or if it was just the popular TV stereotype of the intelligent. I swear our culture venerates stupidity.

It may have just been that here there are more elitists than were somebody else lives. I don't know whether it'll be the same where you live, but it annoyed me to no end. They talked as if there was a barrier separating Us and Them, the stupid, manipulated people of the world who scrubbed their toilets, washed their cars, cooked their food, etc. If you like doing math for recreation, you should check out that math site I linked, though.

Be interesting to be in a group where I'm the dumb one and I don't have to use smaller words all the time.

I am very much the dumbest one in the room, I barely squeeked by with my score, my husband scored higher than me and our daughter scored higher than us, but we don't tell her that, she might use it to her advantage.

I'm just barely above average, so I doubt I would qualify to be in MENSA.

I haven't taken an IQ test since childhood, and they didn't tell me what my score was. I'm confident that I'm above average, but I doubt that I'm in the top 2%.

Edit: And I'm not worried about that. 98% of people aren't in the top 2%. :p

I haven't taken an IQ test since childhood, and they didn't tell me what my score was. I'm confident that I'm above average, but I doubt that I'm in the top 2%.

Edit: And I'm not worried about that. 98% of people aren't in the top 2%. :p

Be glad they didn't. After I had my test it was always "You're so gifted this should be easy for you" "Why don't you have a 4.0 GPA?"

I seriously never studied once in school and always passed tests easily. Though I also never did homework, so my grades sucked horribly.

Be glad they didn't. After I had my test it was always "You're so gifted this should be easy for you" "Why don't you have a 4.0 GPA?"

I seriously never studied once in school and always passed tests easily. Though I also never did homework, so my grades sucked horribly.

ha! I did the same thing, I wouldn't even show up to class half the time in highschool, it was mostly their fault

10% attendence
20% homework
20% tests
50% final

basically I would show up for the tests and final.

Be glad they didn't. After I had my test it was always "You're so gifted this should be easy for you" "Why don't you have a 4.0 GPA?"

I seriously never studied once in school and always passed tests easily. Though I also never did homework, so my grades sucked horribly.

Ey, that's my line too. Cept, now I got a reason to do homework, so eh.

Problem is now homework in school counts for about 60-70% of your grade, so I had to deign to do it occasionally. Under duress. It just seemed like pointless busy work.

Problem is now homework in school counts for about 60-70% of your grade, so I had to deign to do it occasionally. Under duress. It just seemed like pointless busy work.

*shrug* It is.

so, because I am a Christian I get tagged with "self righteous" and now because I belong to mensa I am "full of myself"

when do I get a good stereotype?

When you stop being a smart Jesus Freak? :)

Problem is now homework in school counts for about 60-70% of your grade, so I had to deign to do it occasionally. Under duress. It just seemed like pointless busy work.
yeah, that would suck.

In homeschool all assignements are equal, but I let her make up her own grading scale, and she has a pass/fail attitude and she thinks anything under 75% is failing.

:p

Be glad they didn't. After I had my test it was always "You're so gifted this should be easy for you" "Why don't you have a 4.0 GPA?"

I seriously never studied once in school and always passed tests easily. Though I also never did homework, so my grades sucked horribly.

That sounds familiar! I never had trouble with the tests, and I had the "bad" habit of reading several chapters ahead, but I was lazy, did as little as possible, and my grades sucked. Oddly enough, in college, which was much harder, my GPA was 3.4 overall, and 3.7 in my major.

Did the test in English and German out of interest, since I speak both reasonably well, english is my mothertongue though and language of preference. Scored 141 on the english version, and 139 on the german one, meh.

That sounds familiar! I never had trouble with the tests, and I had the "bad" habit of reading several chapters ahead, but I was lazy, did as little as possible, and my grades sucked. Oddly enough, in college, which was much harder, my GPA was 3.4 overall, and 3.7 in my major.

I remember my eight grade science class arguing with the teacher about how the moon was formed. Won the argument, turns out I was wrong, but hey I won. Also aced every test he ever came up with.

Though to be fair I didn't have enough information to argue the topic and come up with the correct conclusion.

I had the "bad" habit of reading several chapters ahead, but I...did as little as possible

Huh? :confused:

Huh? :confused:

I read a lot, but I don't really consider it 'doing anything' since I was going to do it anyway. I almost always had already read what was assigned in class on my own, but wouldn't do the essays or presentations, I would just come in and get an A on the test.

I think that's what he meant.

Huh? :confused:

I liked to read, but I tended to blow off homework and "optional" assignments.

Huh? :confused:

I read a lot, but I don't really consider it 'doing anything' since I was going to do it anyway. I almost always had already read what was assigned in class on my own, but wouldn't do the essays or presentations, I would just come in and get an A on the test.

I think that's what he meant.

Yeah, that's it.

I'm pretty sure that some people are thinking of aboloshing the IQ test. Because there are so many other factors that determine intelligence, and an IQ test isn't that reliable.

A boy in India who waas able to perform surgery at 9 years old and was just generally an absolute genious came to London and did an IQ test at oxford and scored lower then the average.

I wouldn't dream of joining Mensa. The whole point of it is that only clever people can join, so the assumption is that clever people want to hang out with other clever people. Intelligence never mattered much to me when I chose my friends. Provided they aren't really dumb, I never noticed any difference.

To cap it off, the only person that I knew in Mensa was a tedious pedant - high on IQ but low on wisdom.

I wonder how many of those people know that "Mensa" means "table" in Latin.

I would never join any club that would have someone like ME as a member. :p

I don't need to be a member of an elitist society to feel secure with my intelligence.

I've never had to, and possibly never will take an IQ test.

I routinely score between 138 and 142. I've never bothered looking into Mensa though - mostly because I don't much like organizations of any sort, but also because elitists tend to put me right off.

I'm a member of NAGTY (the National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth), but that's it.

Could probably get into MENSA, but I've no real interest.

I don't need to be a member of an elitist society to feel secure with my intelligence.

I've never had to, and possibly never will take an IQ test.



I routinely score between 138 and 142. I've never bothered looking into Mensa though - mostly because I don't much like organizations of any sort, but also because elitists tend to put me right off.

why is there the assumption that we are elitists?

I don't understand.

Well, I scored 120 and 115 on these peoples' tests (http://www.highiqsociety.org/iq_tests/) (the more difficult test being the 115 score). But I only got 17 out of 30 on the "Mensa Workout" (http://www.mensa.org/index0.php?page=12). :(

Although many of the questions, particularly on the first two tests, seem to judge intelligence based on "trivia" type knowledge; things that any person could easily look up given enough time. Memorization of obscure facts does not equal "intelligence."

(edit: and I swear I remember the "High IQ Society" people having at one time a verbal/written intelligence test that I did pretty well on. I think I actually qualified to join their "society" once, via that test. :D :p )

I could be a member as I score within the top .5 percent, but I am to lazy with what little free time I have.

the only reason i can think of for an adult to join any club is because they have a cheap bar and dances with a live band twice a month.

if mensa doesnt offer that, why bother?

the only reason i can think of for an adult to join any club is because they have a cheap bar and dances with a live band twice a month.

if mensa doesnt offer that, why bother?

we joined for game night.

and you know the annual Christmas party.

In my experience, Mensa gatherings consist largely of a bunch of really smart people trying really hard to demonstrate that they're not boring.

why is there the assumption that we are elitists?

I don't understand.
Intelligentsia = elitists, in some peoples' minds.

Woah I'm suprised that two people are mensa members from the first few posts. I thought people like that were rare. So what do you do In Mensa anyway?

Half of the people on the internet are on mensa, the other half is too intelligent to go there.

why is there the assumption that we are elitists?

I don't understand.

Intelligentsia = elitists, in some peoples' minds.

The very existence of such an organization implies the existence of an elite - an exclusive membership. If I wanted exclusivity, I'd be a shut-in. Besides, as I already pointed out, I tend to shun organizations of all sorts, anyway.

But I only got 17 out of 30 on the "Mensa Workout" (http://www.mensa.org/index0.php?page=12).
I just did it and got 28, and I'm sure that Tealight, Teabreak and Teatime are all proper words (it was 'day').

The very existence of such an organization implies the existence of an elite - an exclusive membership. If I wanted exclusivity, I'd be a shut-in. Besides, as I already pointed out, I tend to shun organizations of all sorts, anyway.

so, any club with any type of requirement for entry is elitist to you? like labor unions and such also?

I'm not a member, but I imagine I could be. It seems fun.

I'd recommend this:

http://mathschallenge.net/

It has several interesting mathematical problems, as well as many programming/mathematical problems. It is overall quite entertaining and it's free. If you like doing math, you should enjoy it.Sounds interesting, I'll have to try it sometime.

You're a straight woman, thus you're kind hearted and a wonderful parent. Try being gay male and white and look for a good stereotype.Gay males are all attractive, physically fit, and fabulous dressers. :)

ha! I did the same thing, I wouldn't even show up to class half the time in highschool, it was mostly their fault

10% attendence
20% homework
20% tests
50% final

basically I would show up for the tests and final.Lucky you. Most of my teachers failed me purely on the attendance.

That sounds familiar! I never had trouble with the tests, and I had the "bad" habit of reading several chapters ahead, but I was lazy, did as little as possible, and my grades sucked. Oddly enough, in college, which was much harder, my GPA was 3.4 overall, and 3.7 in my major.I do better in college, too. I think that's mostly because the college environment is actually conducive to learning.

Not a Mensa member, don't care to be one.

I don't like the idea on principle; many intelligent people are too full of themselves as it is.

I'm a member and I've found it to be anything but "elitist". I've yet to hear anyone talk about how much better he (or she) is than non-members. Surprisingly, I've found that not all members are even highly opinionated. However, quite a few are, and most of those seem to be on the left end of the spectrum (I love it when someone starts criticizing the President and assumes that everyone in the room agrees with him/her--I usually just sit back, smile and let them bloviate). At least in my local area, right wing extremists like me seem to be the few and the proud :D

The organization sponsors a lot of activities, like a yearly "Culture Quest" trivia contest. There's also "special interest groups" (SIG's) for a lot of different things (check out http://www.us.mensa.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=SIG_List&Template=/customsource/SIGs-p.cfm ).

The next US testing day is October 21. Those interested can get details at
http://www.us.mensa.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Local_Test_Sites&Template=/customsource/ntd_list.cfm

I've taken a few IQ tests... never scored below 145. But I figure IQ tests don't actually test how smart you are... they test how good you are at IQ tests, and I happen to be exceptionally good at them. Most of the answers are fairly obvious at a glance. However... I've never even considered joining MENSA. It costs money, and I already have friends. I get together with regular plain old friends for game nights. Hey, I give them a call and say "hey, wanna come over for a game night", and they say "sure, what time?". Or they call me. I don't know if I just have exceptionally smart friends (definitely part of it) or if I enjoy playing with dumb people (I do tend to win a lot, I guess) but MENSA has just never appealed.

IF I didn't have the Aspergers in my way, I might be intelligent enough to join. But, thanks to the Aspergers, I'd be lucky to score about 70 on an IQ test.

Besides, I find Mensa to be extremely elitist.

I'm too stupid for Mensa.

I never tried a serious test. But I don't think I'd get in, the sort of abstract, logical thinking under time pressure and without a piece of paper to write on doesn't suit me.

But I'm doing well academically nonetheless, thank you very much. And personally, I consider that a lot more important than joining some club.

I'm somewhat curious about the organization and I am fairly sure I'd pass the entry requirements. Just want some general information.

you just passed the test...lol....but wtf do i know.

so, because I am a Christian I get tagged with "self righteous" and now because I belong to mensa I am "full of myself"

when do I get a good stereotype?

Self righteous and full of yourself. Yep. You're a Generlite.:D

I had a friend years ago who was socially inept, couldn't look people in the eye, looked like a derilict streetbum, but could whip through the mensa puzzle books, and no doubt make a lot of the mensa members cry in shame.


He was kind of an idiot savante, but he was not an idiot, if that makes any sense whatsoever.


Point is, you don't have to be in mensa to be mensa.

Unless you wish to sit around and concur with your "own type". :D

You have to take an IQ test and score in the top 2% to join, there are other tests that are accepted, but I recomend taking theirs, it's pretty cheap, about $25-$30 and they do tests about once a quarter.

I dunno. Someone that pays $30 for a test they can find on the internet for free doesnt strike me as all that smart.

What exactly are the benefits of being in Mensa?

Kind of curious about the group's activities, general composition and such. I rather wonder why they're not political aside from the concern of being seen as elitist.

Maybe you're under the false impression that if people are intelligent, they're sure to see the light, and want to support one political ideology.

Mensa is an elitist group because you have to be part of 'the best' %2 of the population smartswise (although I think being smart has only a little to do with being intelligent). Already the concept is set up as an elite group of smarties who need each other because they are tired of having to lower themselves to the normal person level.
Even if I was some sort of super smart person I wouldn't join their crap group. I mean, I enjoy interesting conversation and people who have a more sophisticated literary taste, BUT, I have no interest in some smarmy club. I mean, I know some people who appreicate things that you would expect very intelligent people to be able to appreciate, yet these people are pretty low on the IQ scale. They just have an enormous insight and patience.
I think mensa is just for people who are arrogant or insecure.

Maybe you're under the false impression that if people are intelligent, they're sure to see the light, and want to support one political ideology.

An intelligent person would more likely realize the world isn't all black and white and there are no easy answers in politics.

IF I didn't have the Aspergers in my way, I might be intelligent enough to join. But, thanks to the Aspergers, I'd be lucky to score about 70 on an IQ test.

Besides, I find Mensa to be extremely elitist.

I heard that some with asperger score high on IQ tests, it's the autistic people that have trouble with it. They've never found a real connection between asperger and "normal" people when it comes to IQ atleast.

I dunno. Someone that pays $30 for a test they can find on the internet for free doesnt strike me as all that smart.
the tests that are on the internet are not the same quality and type of the test you take to belong to mensa.

What exactly are the benefits of being in Mensa?
there aren't many, you get to go hang out, play games, etc. nothing much more than belonging to any other group.

Maybe you're under the false impression that if people are intelligent, they're sure to see the light, and want to support one political ideology.
we actually don't talk politics much because we all are on different pages. ;) that's why I come here, I don't care if I piss you guys off.

Mensa is an elitist group because you have to be part of 'the best' %2 of the population smartswise (although I think being smart has only a little to do with being intelligent). Already the concept is set up as an elite group of smarties who need each other because they are tired of having to lower themselves to the normal person level.
to belong to AARP you have to be over 50, does that make them elitists?

Even if I was some sort of super smart person I wouldn't join their crap group. I mean, I enjoy interesting conversation and people who have a more sophisticated literary taste, BUT, I have no interest in some smarmy club. I mean, I know some people who appreicate things that you would expect very intelligent people to be able to appreciate, yet these people are pretty low on the IQ scale. They just have an enormous insight and patience.
I think mensa is just for people who are arrogant or insecure.
you assume that I just hang out with my mensa friends? or that they are shallow and one sided? that you are better than them? that we don't like you because you aren't a member? that we don't associate with non-members?

you sound pretty arrogant and insecure to me.

I kind of wondered about that, though I didn't know if that actually happened or if it was just the popular TV stereotype of the intelligent. I swear our culture venerates stupidity.

Ehh society in general tends to venerate the norm in general and put down anything not among the norm.

Some ways it is good in some bad

you assume that I just hang out with my mensa friends? or that they are shallow and one sided? that you are better than them? that we don't like you because you aren't a member? that we don't associate with non-members?

you sound pretty arrogant and insecure to me.


I just think that some club that is full of 'intellectually stimulating' individuals probably shouldn't require some one-sided test to make sure you are good enough.
Theoretically, the people joining the group would simply enjoy the premise of the club and would be of a like mind. But instead of just attempting to appeal to people who want to expand their intellectual horizons, membership is limited to those that they deem worthy of expanding their intellectual horizons.
I suppose it serves its function in attracting the same type of people but it would seem to naturally lend itself to elitism.

I just think that some club that is full of 'intellectually stimulating' individuals probably shouldn't require some one-sided test to make sure you are good enough.
Theoretically, the people joining the group would simply enjoy the premise of the club and would be of a like mind. But instead of just attempting to appeal to people who want to expand their intellectual horizons, membership is limited to those that they deem worthy of expanding their intellectual horizons.
I suppose it serves its function in attracting the same type of people but it would seem to naturally lend itself to elitism.

so should the AARP reach out to teenagers?

I could easily get into Mensa. The last IQ test I took put me at over 220, but less than 228. (My parents never told me the exact score, but I managed to reduce it to that range through careful questioning.)

However, since I firmly believe that IQ tests only measure how good one is at taking the IQ test, I see no reason to belong to a group whose requirement for membership is arbitrary and rather flawed.

so should the AARP reach out to teenagers?

I don't know much about that organization but as far as I can tell it is a discount group for senior citizens. Senior citizens often are single, retired, are in declining health, or no longer have young children to take care of. Since this is such a lifestyle change from the way they lived the rest of their lives many may have fallen on hard times. Giving discounts to these people to make their lives easier doesn't seem wrong to me. Sure, there are a few who probably are very well adjusted super-healthy older individuals who get the discounts.
The difference is they don't seem to make you take some test to see if you qualify as 'old-persony enough' to get in.


Although it would be amusing if they did. I'm sorry; no hip surgery? A 20 year old daughter? You don't frequently refer to how much better things were 'back in the day'? Well I'm sorry sir you are clearly not old despite your age.

The only requirement for AARP is your age.
The only requirement for Mensa is your IQ.

How is one discriminatory and the other is not?

The only requirement for AARP is your age.
The only requirement for Mensa is your IQ.

How is one discriminatory and the other is not?

Age is objective.
IQ is completely meaningless, because all it measures is how good one is at taking the IQ test.

Age is objective.
IQ is completely meaningless, because all it measures is how good one is at taking the IQ test.

Age is meaningless, all it measures is how good you are at surviving.


A SWING AND A MISS!

Age is meaningless, all it measures is how good you are at surviving.


A SWING AND A MISS!

Age can be objectively measured. IQ cannot.

Age is objective.
IQ is completely meaningless, because all it measures is how good one is at taking the IQ test.

Yah but the benifits that AARP is ment to offset are subjective ... my grandma was 94 still lived by herself in perfect health on a farm no help needed for hearing aids no medications no nothing.

How does age mean any more then actual impact of IQ?

Age can be objectively measured. IQ cannot.
That'd be why they only require you, regardless of testing method, score within the top 2%.

There's no magic IQ number that gets you in.

Hey CthulhuFhtagn,

http://cthulhucultistprayer.ytmnd.com/

How does age mean any more then actual impact of IQ?

It doesn't. I was just pointing out the difference between age and IQ.

That'd be why they only require you, regardless of testing method, score within the top 2%.

There's no magic IQ number that gets you in.

So with the age thing...if the average age of the population changed then those lonely, sometimes unemployed elderly in poor health would no longer deserve discounts?
Its' completely different. You don't need to pass a test. They are just aware that some people who are older are in tough situations so discounts can make it so they won't have money troubles on top of that.
I don't think mensa is allieviating the plight of the smarties.


Do they kick you out if a bunch of smart people make the top two percent considerably different than where you scored?
So theoretically I could just go live in an area where everyone's score on the test was 80 and if I had an 81 I could get in even though I'm dumb according to their test? So are some of these groups not as high up on the intelligence score as the others?
I don't mean to be flippant I'm actually curious as to how they deal with those situations.

So with the age thing...if the average age of the population changed then those lonely, sometimes unemployed elderly in poor health would no longer deserve discounts?
Its' completely different. You don't need to pass a test. They are just aware that some people who are older are in tough situations so discounts can make it so they won't have money troubles on top of that.
I don't think mensa is allieviating the plight of the smarties.


Do they kick you out if a bunch of smart people make the top two percent considerably different than where you scored?
So theoretically I could just go live in an area where everyone's score on the test was 80 and if I had an 81 I could get in even though I'm dumb according to their test? So are some of these groups not as high up on the intelligence score as the others?
I don't mean to be flippant I'm actually curious as to how they deal with those situations.

But the point is that not all old people are lonely or require the benefits … so how is any arbitrary age any better then an arbitrary intellectual mark?


And the mensa around here did help its members … specially collage age ones they helped considerably nailing those top class points by providing study sessions with members in certain focuses.

Mensa defiantly helped out with what is a very hard time for many students

But the point is that not all old people are lonely or require the benefits … so how is any arbitrary age any better then an arbitrary intellectual mark?


And the mensa around here did help its members … specially collage age ones they helped considerably nailing those top class points by providing study sessions with members in certain focuses.

Mensa defiantly helped out with what is a very hard time for many students

my local mensa runs a literacy program for adults and an early reading program for preschoolers, that is free and helps people. so now is mensa good?

my local mensa runs a literacy program for adults and an early reading program for preschoolers, that is free and helps people. so now is mensa good?

It's still this whole thing that you have to be 'smart enough' with an IQ test.
It is what it is and what it has been. An elitist club of smarties who want to get away from the normies. I don't like that kind of thing at all. I'm not jealous because I'm not smart, I don't think they're trying to control our society, I just think the entire premise is presumtuous and flawed.

It's still this whole thing that you have to be 'smart enough' with an IQ test.
It is what it is and what it has been. An elitist club of smarties who want to get away from the normies. I don't like that kind of thing at all. I'm not jealous because I'm not smart, I don't think they're trying to control our society, I just think the entire premise is presumtuous and flawed.

so the premise of AARP is flawed likewise because you have to be a certain age to join?

so the premise of AARP is flawed likewise because you have to be a certain age to join?

Kids are so damn annoying at times.

It's still this whole thing that you have to be 'smart enough' with an IQ test.
It is what it is and what it has been. An elitist club of smarties who want to get away from the normies. I don't like that kind of thing at all. I'm not jealous because I'm not smart, I don't think they're trying to control our society, I just think the entire premise is presumtuous and flawed.

Yeah just like we have a networking club that requires you to have taken certain classes in networking

Its us techies trying to rule the world

How about we just want a club that has people with similar interests ?

Kids are so damn annoying at times.

I am just really trying to understand, I mean first mensa is bad because there are requirements to join, then they are bad because other clubs with requirements to join help people, and when it was pointed out that mensa helps people we get back to it's wrong because there are requirements to join.


I actually belong to a lot of other groups that have requirements to join, you know like my grocery co-op, my credit union, my homeschool co-op, and the support group I run....oh, yeah, you have to actually have a disease (a specific type of auto immune disorder) to join that one.

all of these can't be objectively bad. can they?

so the premise of AARP is flawed likewise because you have to be a certain age to join?

No...I've stated the difference between the two organizations several times.


Another difference is that theoretically everyone could get in this AARP group eventually while not everyone could get into mensa.

The only requirement for AARP is your age.
The only requirement for Mensa is your IQ.

How is one discriminatory and the other is not?

aarp does discriminate by age. however, aarp isnt a club, you dont go to the aarp clubhouse to hang out with other old people.

while i may join aarp for a discounted car insurance, i would never join an age defined club in order to make sure im only hanging out with the right kind of people.

I am just really trying to understand, I mean first mensa is bad because there are requirements to join, then they are bad because other clubs with requirements to join help people, and when it was pointed out that mensa helps people we get back to it's wrong because there are requirements to join.


I actually belong to a lot of other groups that have requirements to join, you know like my grocery co-op, my credit union, my homeschool co-op, and the support group I run....oh, yeah, you have to actually have a disease (a specific type of auto immune disorder) to join that one.

all of these can't be objectively bad. can they?

Mensa is a group that is based on certain people being the best minds of society, which is measured by a test that I believe does not measure actual intelligence. Also, intelligence is only one aspect of a 'smart person' in my opinion.
By nature this group is elitist.

I'm not saying it should be banned or some such but even if I thought I was extremely intelligent or could score high on those tests I wouldn't be interested even though it sounds like it could be a fun organization to be in sometimes.

No...I've stated the difference between the two organizations several times.


Another difference is that theoretically everyone could get in this AARP group eventually while not everyone could get into mensa.

so it's unfair?

the support group I run must also be unfair because you have to have a certain type of auto immune disorder to join, everyone can't have it, only some people do.

aarp does discriminate by age. however, aarp isnt a club, you dont go to the aarp clubhouse to hang out with other old people.

while i may join aarp for a discounted car insurance, i would never join an age defined club in order to make sure im only hanging out with the right kind of people.

And you can Join Mensa for the free tutoring on certain tests? Does having a monetary benefit to joining a group make it somehow more worthwhile?

Mensa is a group that is based on certain people being the best minds of society, which is measured by a test that I believe does not measure actual intelligence. Also, intelligence is only one aspect of a 'smart person' in my opinion.
By nature this group is elitist.

I'm not saying it should be banned or some such but even if I thought I was extremely intelligent or could score high on those tests I wouldn't be interested even though it sounds like it could be a fun organization to be in sometimes.

Any person that derives pride from being a member of a group is “elitist” weather that be proud of being a member of the local book club to a group that only allows people that past there Cisco certification

I still fail to see how this is any more arbitrary or elitist then any other group

so it's unfair?

the support group I run must also be unfair because you have to have a certain type of auto immune disorder to join, everyone can't have it, only some people do.

I am a member of a group where you have to have a very specific certification to enter ... not every one has the ability or time to pass it

I am not saying we should outlaw the group or boycot it. I just think that it is elitist in premise and there are likely many arrogant people within it.

I don't like a club for 'the smart people'. And if IQ capacity is inborn or developed in early childhood as is widely claimed then there is no difference between mensa and MasterRace: the club for people who have a certain lightness of hair and skin.




It's really not hard to paint mensa as good or bad here people, as you can see. The point is it is elitist in premise, that's all I'm saying.

I fart on Mensa and instead join The Prometheus Society (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_Society).

And you can Join Mensa for the free tutoring on certain tests? Does having a monetary benefit to joining a group make it somehow more worthwhile?

no. the difference is that one (mensa) is a social club and one (aarp) is an organization for saving money and supporting legislation relevant to its specific membership.

its a strange notion that i would ever want to associate with other people based only on their having a similar high intelligence to mine. its so ridiculous that i would never consider joining such a group.

IF aarp were a similar social club where the assumption is that i would want to associate with other people based solely on their being age 50 or older i would also find that club ridiculous.

no. the difference is that one (mensa) is a social club and one (aarp) is an organization for saving money and supporting legislation relevant to its specific membership.

its a strange notion that i would ever want to associate with other people based only on their having a similar high intelligence to mine. its so ridiculous that i would never consider joining such a group.

IF aarp were a similar social club where the assumption is that i would want to associate with other people based solely on their being age 50 or older i would also find that club ridiculous.Are chess clubs also ridiculous?

Are chess clubs also ridiculous?

chess clubs arent social clubs. you get together to play chess and if you socialize outside of that its a bonus. you arent joining a club to hang out with chess players you are joining a club to play chess.

same with smunkee's club for those with the same illness. you dont join because you think that people with <whateverdisease> are more fun to hang around with but for support and information about the disease you all share

same with investing clubs. you might hate half the sons of bitches in the group but it doesnt matter as long as they help you make money

consider another social club, the elks. you join the elks club because you like the people who are members, the cheap price at the bar and the quality of the bands they bring in on the weekends. they do have programs that help their members but you dont join for those. you might get a scholarship for your kids but thats not your motivation for joining.

if the day comes when you look around the room and find that your local elks club is white-only and that that is enforced by the local membership in various ways (im pretty sure that the elks dont officially discriminate against other races) you might realize that the assumption that you only want to hang out with white people is ridiculous and you would either try to change local practices or drop your membership in the club.

chess clubs arent social clubs. you get together to play chess and if you socialize outside of that its a bonus. you arent joining a club to hang out with chess players you are joining a club to play chess.

same with smunkee's club for those with the same illness. you dont join because you think that people with <whateverdisease> are more fun to hang around with but for support and information about the disease you all share

same with investing clubs. you might hate half the sons of bitches in the group but it doesnt matter as long as they help you make money

consider another social club, the elks. you join the elks club because you like the people who are members, the cheap price at the bar and the quality of the bands they bring in on the weekends. they do have programs that help their members but you dont join for those. you might get a scholarship for your kids but thats not your motivation for joining.

if the day comes when you look around the room and find that your local elks club is white-only and that that is enforced by the local membership in various ways (im pretty sure that the elks dont officially discriminate against other races) you might realize that the assumption that you only want to hang out with white people is ridiculous and you would either try to change local practices or drop your membership in the club.


and I get together with my mensa friends and play strategy games.

what's the difference?

You're a straight woman, thus you're kind hearted and a wonderful parent. Try being gay male and white and look for a good stereotype.

Try being a gay BLACK male and look for a good stereotype.

I have a better idea than Mensa: Join an Alumni organisation at a good uni.

If it's good connections you're after, there's nothing better. Of course, you have to display some level of real-life competence to get into a really good uni, and there your IQ scores seem sorta irrelevant.

and I get together with my mensa friends and play strategy games.

what's the difference?

of course one can find that the ridiculous club they have joined is actually full of people that they like. its a coincidence that you LIKE these people. you could have as easily found people at the elks club who like to play strategy games. you may have people in your disease group who you like enough to hang out with as friends.

i mean, the mensa club doesnt have its own clubhouse with a liquor license does it? (if you recall that was the only reason i would have for joining a social club)

please dont think im in the group who think that joining mensa is elitist or discriminatory in a big way. its just a silly reason to join a social club.

Looks like people are upset about Mensa cause you have to pass some tests to get in. Does that make graduate school elitist too? (Of course, grad school is a little more useful...which should make people even MORE upset about it being elitist.)

I think Mensa is most useful for networking. Anybody can play trivia or whatever with their friends, but clubs are great for meeting people that can further your career. Especially a club that is supposedly based on having a high IQ.

please dont think im in the group who think that joining mensa is elitist or discriminatory in a big way. its just a silly reason to join a social club.

*shrug* Who needs a reason?

of course one can find that the ridiculous club they have joined is actually full of people that they like. its a coincidence that you LIKE these people. you could have as easily found people at the elks club who like to play strategy games. you may have people in your disease group who you like enough to hang out with as friends.

i mean, the mensa club doesnt have its own clubhouse with a liquor license does it? (if you recall that was the only reason i would have for joining a social club)

please dont think im in the group who think that joining mensa is elitist or discriminatory in a big way. its just a silly reason to join a social club.

I don't "only" hang out with Mensa people though. I hang out with all sorts of people, I don't limit myself to one small group.

I ought to join the Prometheus Society. I have taken probably 3, no, 4 IQ tests and been rejected from many a ring of social influence. I'll tell you that both can be associated with absurd wastes of time, indeed. On the IQ tests, I have scored 184, 144, and 50. The fifty resulted from staring directly at the test administrator for all of 45 or so minutes until the awkwardness prevailed and the person cautiosly left the room and my gaze, but I answered a few questions adequately thus earning my well-deserved fifty points.

So here it is: it's all bullshit. It's not an indicator, a privelege, a handicap, nor conspiracy (for those of you who enjoy a good Zionist plot). None of it means anything about your intelligence, the results of yonder test are simply your ability to the answer solely the questions, they ask.

The only meaningful abstraction you could posses would be wisdom: and what the hell kind of irony is an abstraction assessment?

What do the titles matter anyway?

Looks like people are upset about Mensa cause you have to pass some tests to get in. Does that make graduate school elitist too? (Of course, grad school is a little more useful...which should make people even MORE upset about it being elitist.)

I think Mensa is most useful for networking. Anybody can play trivia or whatever with their friends, but clubs are great for meeting people that can further your career. Especially a club that is supposedly based on having a high IQ.

yes graduate school is elitist. duh

if you want to network, go with Neu Leonstein's suggestion and join your alumni association or if you are in college join a good fraternity.

Do what you will, but the titles are just that: titles.

*shrug* Who needs a reason?

i do.

and the reason has to include cheap booze, dammit.

The entire conception of social interaction is flawed. Simply because whatever you think that social interaction is or constitutes, you're wrong because it doesn't change anything.

yes graduate school is elitist. duh

if you want to network, go with Neu Leonstein's suggestion and join your alumni association or if you are in college join a good fraternity.

There are lots of ways to network. Frats, alumnis, Mensa, Myspace, dachshund owners clubs...it's all good.

been a member for several years, however have not looked into what is going on at a local level since I moved to the state.

The entire conception of social interaction is flawed. Simply because whatever you think that social interaction is or constitutes, you're wrong because it doesn't change anything.

Hm?

I like how i pretty much just monologue whilst all converse around me in a little dance.

But on my last post, I support my statement with "purpose." Purpose is not made, nor is purpose found. Purpose is, always has been, and always will be.

Yay, a response.

I like how i pretty much just monologue whilst all converse around me in a little dance.



Try contributing in a relativly meaningful fashion and you may find more people are willing to respond to you.

For the most part, it's a damn good thing there are NOT more people like me, for the universe would frown upon such a thing and to hell we go with me in the front. But, hey, that's my point, all actions (and these cliques -on a much smaller scale) are in essence pointless, but it is man's lot because God said so, and tough luck if you don't like it.

I like how i pretty much just monologue whilst all converse around me in a little dance.


If you see that happening a lot, you just may be a troll. But anyway, do explain what you meant.

For the most part, it's a damn good thing there are NOT more people like me, for the universe would frown upon such a thing and to hell we go with me in the front. But, hey, that's my point, all actions (and these cliques -on a much smaller scale) are in essence pointless, but it is man's lot because God said so, and tough luck if you don't like it.

Oh crap, you are a troll. Whoops!

For the most part, it's a damn good thing there are NOT more people like me, for the universe would frown upon such a thing and to hell we go with me in the front. But, hey, that's my point, all actions (and these cliques -on a much smaller scale) are in essence pointless, but it is man's lot because God said so, and tough luck if you don't like it.

How so very nihilisticly cute of you. The rest of us prefer a bit more upswing with our morning coffee however.

This takes me a second or two to respond my computer is a touch slow, but what would you like me to explain specifically? I'm vague in my responses so that they intend very little but mean so much.

How so very nihilisticly cute of you. The rest of us prefer a bit more upswing with our morning coffee however.

Thanks! I'm flattered! But coffee? It's blood that makes the grass grow.

It's blood that makes the grass grow.
Yeah, but so does cow manure.




Which neatly brings us back to Mensa. :D

what exactly is the purpose of mensa? I mean it seems to be a place where "highly intelligent" people hang out with each other on the basis that they are more intelligent than everyone else. That seems a bit childish to me. Surely they could be putting their intelligence to use, actually doing something productive with it. Computer programming, engineering and physics societies in addition to art, film and literature clubs, political forums and parties, local community groups and the like would facilitate this. Mensa doesnt seem to provide anything except the means for people who have probably been bullied and/or alienated to lick their wounds or just to be plain pompous:eek: (although Im sure some are generally nice people).

Trust me Im all for having intellectual conversations that last for hours into the night with good food and wine and NOT dumbing down but I think this "I have a higher IQ than you" "NNNNEEEHHHHH NONONO, MY IQ IS FAR HIGHER, STAR TREK HAD 80 EPISODES NOT 79" and so on is faintly ridiculous. In addition to the pedantry baggage that tends to go with it.

hmmm. nobody so far has mentioned "paranoia" as a reason for not joining Mensa...
The day will come when people in white lab coats will round Mensa members and they will be taken away for further studies... never to return.
:)

The thing about Mensa is, by definition 98% of the population isn't getting in. That means it's exclusionary. Also, I question it's relevance. Just because I'm smart, and that guy over there is also smart, doesn't mean we'd have anything in common. OTOH, my "brother" (not really related, but we might as well be) is definitely NOT Mensa material, and we get along just fine.

I still don't get the idea you guys have that I belong to mensa so that I don't have to (or because I don't want to) hang out with people who aren't in the top 2%......

Smart?

Or have a higher IQ?
Which measures education, experience and whether you are any good at IQ tests.

The proof for my skepticism: I sat Mensa tests when I was 13, 18, 22 and 27.

My IQ went up each time...
I can't wait to take one in a couple of years, I could be the smartest person on the planet by then :rolleyes:

Suffice to say, I reckon that IQs and IQ tests are bollocks and that anyone who takes IQ numbers seriously is someone in need of some serious self-esteem.