Mensa

[AU24K]

Does anyone have information of a first hand knowledge of this outfit?
They wanted me to join, but I've turned them down. Twice.

I understand that they are a "brainiac" group, but I don't like the "aura" that they present.
Should I have joined? What are the benefits? The downside?
I just don't know enough about them to join...

I appreciate your honest opinions.

Best,
Scott

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

I scored high enough on the Miller Analogies Test to qualify for membership, but I wouldn't want to associate with those chumps. They are just a bunch of snobby nerds who get together and play Dungeons and Dragons and talk about Star Trek from all I can gather.

[Felinepeachy]

Ive always though Mensa reminded me to much of Nambla. I don't like the sound of the word

[FarmerChick]

what's mensa?


oops guess they won't ask me to join!


never heard if they were 'normal' or a nutso group truly...try to google and see what kind of reviews and things that are said about them...best one can do is get some true insights into the group.

[AU24K]

Ive always though Mensa reminded me too much of Nambla. I don't like the sound of the word

(sorry...)

Nambla!
I know what those pervs are!

Best,
Scott

[AU24K]

I scored high enough on the Miller Analogies Test to qualify for membership, but I wouldn't want to associate with those chumps. They are just a bunch of snobby nerds who get together and play Dungeons and Dragons and talk about Star Trek from all I can gather.

I hate any "space" type crap and D&D.
Guess I made the right choice?

Best,
Scott

[AU24K]

When I declined membership the second time, I wrote to them that:
"I do not wish to be a member of a group that would have someone like me as a member."
ala Groucho Marx.

Best,
Scott

[AU24K]

I ask for your opinions on Tnet because after asking my friends the same question, 9 out of 10 have no idea what I'm talking about.

I knew that I could get knowledgeable responses from the members here!

Best,
Scott

[Dano Sverige]

Of course you and your friends have never heard of it as it's outside of America! And in my opinion, if you've never heard of it then you're not bright enough to join!

Star trek & D&D WTH?

You should have joined mate, as you can see, the US isn't a hotbed of recruiting for MENSA!

Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions.



The society's official objectives are:

•to provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members
•to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity
•to encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence


The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top two per cent of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities.

[Arizona Bob]

Does anyone have information of a first hand knowledge of this outfit?
They wanted me to join, but I've turned them down. Twice...

Some of us joined for the novelty of being a member. My oldest son is a lifetime member, and still participates in some of the "regional" activities. I can tell you that Mensa membership was mostly made up of non-athletic type of individuals, but since the 1990's that has been changing. Lately, there has been an influx of military members. My son was the Captain of his High School Football and Track teams and participated in college sports (certainly not your typical Mensa member) but like I said- that is changing.

The American Mensa Executive Director was Ms. Donohoo. I would be happy to try to answer any other questions you may have!

[FarmerChick]

they let 'just anyone' in if your IQ hits their requirement.
I met many many many 'dumber than rocks' smart people in my lifetime.

[Arizona Bob]

they let 'just anyone' in if your IQ hits their requirement.

Mensa membership requirements are clearly identified on their webpage. They are designed to target a certain IQ range. For example, the same is true of a weight scale. Step on the scale and you are either a fat chick or not. Same difference.

I met many many many 'dumber than rocks' smart people in my lifetime.

Oh goody! A pi$$ing contest!

[dallgire]

i love a good pi22ing contest where is the ticket booth?

[Dano Sverige]

You can't even spell it in it's "i'm not really saying this word" form...you'll never get to join Dall.

So basically the American version is like the American versions of "trivial pursuit" and "who wants to be a millionaire"...all the questions are 10 times easier?

[dallgire]

Yea im sure Dano! Want to PI$$ WITH ME?

[FarmerChick]

hey wait, if you are a fat chick and can only get into the club that way, doesn't someone sue you?
can a white guy join a black group?
can a black man join a white group?
can a Englishman join the Cherokee Nation Club?
hmmm....


why hasn't the dumber people sued the Mensa people yet? are they too dumb to do that?

[hombre_de_plata_flaco]

Of course you and your friends have never heard of it as it's outside of America! And in my opinion, if you've never heard of it then you're not bright enough to join!

This is the sort of snobbish elitism that I was referring to. Thank you for proving my point.

Star trek & D&D WTH?

Quoted directly from a book entitled The Mensa Genius Quiz Book describing their regional or annual gatherings:

"To be sure, some will be playing bridge, or chess, or backgammon, or DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS, (a widely popular game in MENSA)"

Link to quote provided below:

http://books.google.com/books?id=Vbr...ragons&f=false

Most male MENSA members have suffered dearly from playing this game, as many have had "spells" cast on them that have prevented them from ever kissing a girl.

You should have joined mate, as you can see, the US isn't a hotbed of recruiting for MENSA!

Even more boorish snobbery. *yawn*

Mensa was founded in England

That statement right there should be more than enough to discourage your membership Scott.

My suggestion would be to use your intellect to to go forth and do good deeds for your fellow man by joining a group that takes part in charitable activities, rather than one that gets together for the sole purpose of patting each other on the back about how intelligent they are. Use your mind for something more productive than snobbery and role-playing fantasy games.

[Arizona Bob]

why hasn't the dumber people sued the Mensa people yet? are they too dumb to do that?

I tend to look at Mensa as a sort of "baseline" organization for high IQ people. The pi$$ing contest really begins when you realize there are other organizations that target successively higher & higher IQs. There is one for Top 1% IQ organization, and they tend to "look down" upon Mensa members. Recently, I've heard of a Top .5% IQ organization- I presume they "hold-court" over everyone!

Anyhoo, you would end-up spending a lot of money on lawyers fees if you were going to sue for entry into every high IQ org...

[dallgire]

yea Dano why aren't you in there? too dumb? or let me guess you don't play D&D?

[Dano Sverige]

I'm not snobby or elitist enough for them Dall. No matter what people may say! Plus i'm more of a "Halo" kinda guy!

You must be quoting from the American version Hombre? (read my last post)

You're telling people to disassociate themselves with something because it was founded in England? Why don't i see you doing the same about the United States?