Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2(pesnta.1.2) 9/5/84; site scc.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!pesnta!scc!steiny From: steiny@scc.UUCP (Don Steiny) Newsgroups: net.misc Subject: Re: Mensa and elitism Message-ID: <289@scc.UUCP> Date: Fri, 21-Dec-84 02:03:56 EST Article-I.D.: scc.289 Posted: Fri Dec 21 02:03:56 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 23-Dec-84 08:11:28 EST References: <166@ttidcc.UUCP> Organization: Personetics, Inc. - Santa Cruz, Calif. Lines: 49 ** Suppose someone started a "net.mensa," or better yet, a "net.hi-iq." How would it work? If it was unmoderated, then anyone could post to it. Imagine that some person who had not taken a qualifying test recently or, if they had, had not had any Mensa applications handy and had failed to join Mensa. Suppose this person (who might have a low-iq for all anyone knows) got interested in a discussion and posted to the group? How would anyone know? I imagine that there would be anarchy. I am sure well meaning people who took tests many years ago might forget their scores upwards. You know, someone that was actually in the top 2.5 % might forget and think that they were actually in the top 2% in the same way someone that was 6 feet and 3/4 inches might forget and think that he was 6 foot 1. If it was moderated, what would the moderator have to do? Check with Mensa to see if a poster was really qualified to post to the group? Mensa is a social club. There are no other groups on the net that are by members of a club. Sometimes groups or organizations publish the times of meetings, classes, and even parties in regional subgroups. These local distributions act as bulliten boards. I doubt most people would mind articles about Mensa meetings clearly labeled "Mensa Meeting Announcment," distributed appropriately. No wonder people say it is elitist, there is nothing else to say about it. It is a boring topic. If people think it is wonderful and hunky dorey, then the conversation is over if they don't ... boring. If someone accuses a Mensa member of being an "elitist", what could be better? After all, it is an elite organization, only the elite can join. That is why they joined, right? To be members of an elite organization. Saying that Mensa is elitist is hardely an insult, that is the whole point. Tautologies are make dull conversation. There is little to say about Mensa. -- scc!steiny Don Steiny - Personetics @ (408) 425-0382 109 Torrey Pine Terr. Santa Cruz, Calif. 95060 ihnp4!pesnta -\ fortune!idsvax -> scc!steiny ucbvax!twg -/