Looking for Intelligent Life? Mensa.

October 16th is Mensa's national testing day. We're all smart people here, so join already! I read last year that Mensa members were taken on an exclusive tour of a nuclear facility, I can't remember the name though. But through Mensa, we may be able to uncover much more. Mensa members are frequently toured through sites of restricted access.

Anyway, you can find more information here:
www.us.mensa.org...

Originally posted by Jamuhn
I read last year that Mensa members were taken on an exclusive tour of a nuclear facility, I can't remember the name though. But through Mensa, we may be able to uncover much more. Mensa members are frequently toured through sites of restricted access.

It was probably some special arrangement like any other club can do. Other than the socializing with people of equal IQ, I didn't find any real "perks" to joining Mensa. The companionship, though, was wonderful, and some of the SIGs (Special Interest Groups) were fun.

But nobody seeks us out for anything in particular.

Sounds great...


Do they believe in intelligence among broke college students?

$30 is way too much to pay to take a test for giggles.
Plus, there'd be the cost of getting to my nearest mensa...'place'...or whatever.

You might run into Asia carrera at a mensa meeting

really dislike I.Q tests...i cant do even the simpelest of maths....but the vocab section i like

whats the min IQ again? and does it matter if you use things like ritalin, because my IQ gets over a ten point boost with it.

Originally posted by IntelRetard
You might run into Asia carrera at a mensa meeting

Now there's a reason to join. Other than that I see no reason to be part of an organization that pupose is that "we're smart." I don't need the pat on the back or kick in the butt depending on which way said limb swings.

This thread reminded me of something.
One of my favorite comedies.



Defending Your Life:
by Albert Brooks

Remember that movie anyone?
There were two groups of inhabitants, in a place called "Judgement City"
the "Little Brains" and the "Big Brains"

Whenever you were introduced to a "Big Brain"
It went something like this:

"I'd like you to meet Bob, he uses 32 percent of his brain"

"Wow!.. clocked and documented!!?"

"Of Course!"

Some of the most book smart people I've met have the common sense of a scratch & sniff.

Just because you have an aptitude for solving math problems and know what the word beswike means, does not make you mental giant. It is a very rare case when you meet someone who has both booksmarts and common sense. Since mensa basis it's membership off of IQ results, I think you'll be hard pressed to find a person of that stature.

Exactly. I know countless numbers of people who are absolute genuises at their work...but put them in a car, they can't drive to save themselves, or do simple common sense things without requiring a decent amount of effort. The mind focuses on one very specific topic/problem, and the rest sort of gets ignored or dealt with at a bare minimum level.

Personally I think it's better to be a little bit knowledgeable about alot of things than be knowledgable only about one or two topics and hopeless at the rest....unless you have a wide social network where people can afford to specialise in one specific subject...strength in numbers and all that.

ps: How is IQ going to help if you are in a hand-to-hand fight, with no way of retreat, planned ambush, weapons, or anything to make weapons... sometimes IQ doesn't count at all hmmm. Mensa vs peed off, adrenaline filled man with a baseball bat.... who's up for the challenge?

Originally posted by rancid1
Some of the most book smart people I've met have the common sense of a scratch & sniff.

Just because you have an aptitude for solving math problems and know what the word beswike means, does not make you mental giant. It is a very rare case when you meet someone who has both booksmarts and common sense. Since mensa basis it's membership off of IQ results, I think you'll be hard pressed to find a person of that stature.

You said it brotha! yeehaw
(spitting chew on sawdust floor...just missing hound dog)

Originally posted by American Mad Man
whats the min IQ again? and does it matter if you use things like ritalin, because my IQ gets over a ten point boost with it.

There are two divisions in Mensa: the general population, which is the top 2% in the IQ ranking. The actual number varies depending on the test you get.

There is (or was) another group that is the upper 1% of the population -- basically IQs of 150 and better.

There's actually some logic to this... just as there is a difference in the way that the ordinary Mensans think compared to (say) the folks in your office or school, there is a real difference between those with an IQ of 130 and those with 160.

It's not that they "know more" ... but they can basically process knowledge faster (think of them as 8 ghz brains and most of the world is still running around with 800 mhz brains.)

Originally posted by rancid1
Some of the most book smart people I've met have the common sense of a scratch & sniff.

Just because you have an aptitude for solving math problems and know what the word beswike means, does not make you mental giant. It is a very rare case when you meet someone who has both booksmarts and common sense. Since mensa basis it's membership off of IQ results, I think you'll be hard pressed to find a person of that stature.

Actually, they've gone away from culturally based IQ tests. You can ask to have one of the other types of tests (including for those of lesser verbal ability or those with learning disabilities) administered to you.

And, I do agree that intelligence doesn't equal common sense. If anything, it means you process more data and come up with some odd decisions that seem perfectly logical... but the outside world thinks they're just bonkers.

Originally posted by Byrd
There are two divisions in Mensa: the general population, which is the top 2% in the IQ ranking. The actual number varies depending on the test you get.

There is (or was) another group that is the upper 1% of the population -- basically IQs of 150 and better.

Actually, they've gone away from culturally based IQ tests. You can ask to have one of the other types of tests (including for those of lesser verbal ability or those with learning disabilities) administered to you.

I wish knew that before I signed up. I'm not verbally inclined, at least not in the sense that I know many words. I know how to use the words that I know well.

But anyways, I'll take the regular test and see how well I do. Maybe in the future I'll take the test for those of lesser verbal ability.

I joined Mensa about 10 years ago when I was at college. Actually my ex-husband and I both did the test to prove who the brightest was of the two. We both made it into Mensa. We both attended a few meetings and got bored with the mental masturbation ( you can see from the fact that I can spell "masturbation" that I am indeed a genius). There is nothing as boring as people trying to use wordplay and little quizzes to show how superior they are. Intelligence goes way beyond mathematical and verbal abilities - I would suggest reading Howard Gardner's "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences".

"Gardner defines intelligence as "the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that are valued in one or more cultural setting" (Gardner & Hatch, 1989). Using biological as well as cultural research, he formulated a list of seven intelligences. This new outlook on intelligence differs greatly from the traditional view which usually recognizes only two intelligences, verbal and computational. The seven intelligences Gardner defines are:

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence--consists of the ability to detect patterns, reason deductively and think logically. This intelligence is most often associated with scientific and mathematical thinking.

Linguistic Intelligence--involves having a mastery of language. This intelligence includes the ability to effectively manipulate language to express oneself rhetorically or poetically. It also allows one to use language as a means to remember information.

Spatial Intelligence--gives one the ability to manipulate and create mental images in order to solve problems. This intelligence is not limited to visual domains--Gardner notes that spatial intelligence is also formed in blind children.

Musical Intelligence--encompasses the capability to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms. (Auditory functions are required for a person to develop this intelligence in relation to pitch and tone, but it is not needed for the knowledge of rhythm.)

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence--is the ability to use one's mental abilities to coordinate one's own bodily movements. This intelligence challenges the popular belief that mental and physical activity are unrelated.

The Personal Intelligences--includes interpersonal feelings and intentions of others--and intrapersonal intelligence--the ability to understand one's own feelings and motivations. These two intelligences are separate from each other. Nevertheless, because of their close association in most cultures, they are often linked together."

So in conclusion of what use is an organisation such as Mensa when members are selected arbitrarily on only 2 of the 7 criteria required? By the way I have an IQ of 152, which to me only implies that I am really good at doing IQ tests.

To all who can't pass the Mensa test don't feel disheartened you can still join Densa. Check and see if you qualify.
www.pressanykey.com...




[edit on 30-9-2004 by Mynaeris]

Originally posted by Byrd

Originally posted by Jamuhn
I read last year that Mensa members were taken on an exclusive tour of a nuclear facility, I can't remember the name though. But through Mensa, we may be able to uncover much more. Mensa members are frequently toured through sites of restricted access.

It was probably some special arrangement like any other club can do. Other than the socializing with people of equal IQ, I didn't find any real "perks" to joining Mensa. The companionship, though, was wonderful, and some of the SIGs (Special Interest Groups) were fun.
But nobody seeks us out for anything in particular.

I agree - I have been a mensan for years and there were no perks...even the "companionship", while quite intelligent, tended towards the "schoolmarmish", while I tend to hang out in seedy bars in the east village - some of them were horrified by my ways and, until I opened my mouth, had trouble believing I was a mensan (appearances are indeed deceiving in my case)

Despite some intelligent discussion on the part of members/former members and others, there is additional data I'd like to add:

1. There are at least 100 tests that are valid for determining if you meet the 98th percentile threshold for Mensa. In fact, you can qualify with your SAT/LSAT, ACT or other standardized test scores. If you are a tribesman/woman living in a remote area of Africa and somehow learn of Mensa, upon application a psychometrist (Dr. Abbie Salny) will determine which test(s) are applicable to this person with his/her unique education/life experience.

One member I know personally is highly gifted in linguistics, but also pursues an interest in astronomy and other sciences. This person's anathema is simple math! For this reason, membership was delayed as the right non-math IQ test had to be found to qualify him.

2. There are several high-IQ groups with varying bars to cross for admittance; top 1%, top 1/10%, GLIA (1 in a million), et al.

3. High cognitive function may be biased as to subject matter, hence some "bright" people really don't know how to drive. I have seen this. Please remember, that we are all human and make mistakes as well as choices as to where our attention is directed. Some folks just don't relate to people well without knowing exactly why. Finding a group of folks among which you can tell a joke and not have to explain it is quite refreshing; somewhat theraputic.

Consider that according to the admission standards, there are potentially 2% of the population who would qualify for Mensa yet only about 1 in 50 actually join (American demographic, other countries vary). My take on this is that some highly intelligent people are busy with more important matters than to join a social organization whose purpose is nothing more than to allow for, well socializing. (Please note: Mensa as an organization has NO OPINION on ANYTHING.)

4. Larger gatherings run the gamut of kooky eccentrics who wear a T-shirt tightly stretched over their protruding belly and pad around in oversize fluffy house slippers to subject matter experts who have devoted their particular working lives to a particular specialty. Richard Lederer, the prolific author of books on language was a speaker at the American Mensa Annual Gathering in Las Vegas this year whilst his progeny were across the street embattled at a Texas "Hold'em" Poker tourney. (Son, Howard was formerly a chess player who has apparently found a more lucrative and enjoyable way to compete.)

For those who feel that this type of org is elitist, ego-based, etc., remember the grayness and try not to paint all with the same brush. Most things exist in varying amounts. Some who attend social functions within Mensa seem to be very concerned with its operation and strive to attain positions that allow for control. Others shun this. Some are there to pontificate as if no one else knows about a topic or if they differ, are wrong. Most of those I associate with are warm, friendly, and appear normal to most. We welcome travel, participate in or appreciate the arts and just like to listen as well as talk.

What is common between them and this group, ATS, is that some people do not realize that opinion and fact are two different notions. It is always dismaying to read a post in which someone takes a point and constructs an EXTREMELY simple refutation that does not allow for infinite other possibilities then states that his point is fact, "I proved you wrong!" Such stupidity is often just plain boring/annoying.

I always enjoy reading/learning of someone's opinion when it does not purport to be more than that. If there are facts included, all the better.

Remember, 71% of statistics are made up on the spot.


Cheers.

P.S. This has been a highly opinionated and somewhat factual posting.

My group (Densa) had the local Mensa group over for a mixer. All they did was mock us (I think) and swindle us out of our lunch money and bus fare

Hey IntelRetard, I hope I DO run into Asia Carrera, Beautiful way to take the mind off of anything else for that matter.

MENSA actually means dumb girl in spanish. hahahaha