Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site gatech.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gatech!spaf From: spaf@gatech.UUCP (Gene Spafford) Newsgroups: net.misc Subject: Mensa Message-ID: <11149@gatech.UUCP> Date: Wed, 5-Dec-84 12:52:08 EST Article-I.D.: gatech.11149 Posted: Wed Dec 5 12:52:08 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 6-Dec-84 06:57:49 EST Distribution: net Organization: The Clouds Project, School of ICS, Georgia Tech Lines: 53 To clear up some questions, etc., let me quote from a Mensa publication: Mensa is an international society in which the members have scored in the top 2% on an approved IQ test. It is a not-for-profit organization whose purposes are to identify intelligence for the benfit of humanity, to conduct research in psychology and science, to promote creativity among gifted children, and to provide social contacts among its members. Mensa has no political or religious affiliations. Special interest groups in Mensa are involved in the sharing of activities, ideas and opinions. Applications of membership (in the USA) should be made to: American Mensa 1701 West Third Street Brooklyn NY 11223 Thq "approved IQ test" includes such items as the SAT and GRE. There are about 50 approved exams, and the scores on any of those can be used to meet the entrance requirements (don't ask me for details -- write Amer. Mensa. I just knew that my GRE scores would get me in, and I never bothered looking at the other literature). I'm a member of Mensa, although not terribly active. I met my current SO at Mensa. I've made a few very crazy friends through the group, and I've had a fairly good time at most of the Mensa functions I've attended. I have heard that some groups are very dull, or consist of just losers and stuck-up types, but that is not everywhere the case (or else the organization wouldn't be flourshing!). In particular, the Atlanta group is a growing, fun group of people with many activities and interests. If you're curious, write to American Mensa and ask for information. You might also ask for the name and phone number for the LocSec (Local group Secretary) for your area. Mensa encourages prospective members to attend a few local functions before joining. Remember: intelligence does not equate to ability or success or happiness. A high IQ does not say that someone is a better person or is more likely to lead a better life; neither does doing poorly on an IQ test indicate the opposite. A high IQ does mean that you do well on certain kinds of standardized tests, and there appears to be some correlation to other, sometimes desireable traits. Anybody trying to make you feel inferior because their IQ score is higher is simply being a jerk. There are some people like that in Mensa, but the organization is not directed towards that, nor do all (most) of the members feel that way. Many members have been subjected to similar derision (being picked upon in school and in the work environment for being "different") that they are sensitive to such concerns. Nuff said for now. Except, I don't believe that "net.mensa" is a good idea. -- Gene "8 months and counting" Spafford The Clouds Project, School of ICS, Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332 CSNet: Spaf @ GATech ARPA: Spaf%GATech.CSNet @ CSNet-Relay.ARPA uucp: ...!{akgua,allegra,hplabs,ihnp4,linus,seismo,ulysses}!gatech!spaf