Topic: Anyone here in Mensa?

[Bonk]

I'm with Stoney.

My ego is enough all by itself, I certainly don't need mensa to encourage me. My IQ also tested very high (resulting in education enrichment programs ect. - no longer offered). But as Stoney feels, the Intelligence Quotient test is a measure of means. It is dependent on the average performance and so is a relative measure. I do not want to have an IQ of 200 in an idiocracy - that would mean I was still pretty stupid.

Intelligence comes in all forms, many not very testable by any traditional means.

Dynaverse.net is an alternative to Mensa. Many smart folks here, but I doubt there are many mensa members. (or if so they probably won't say so now.)

[Lono]

Haven't been able to attend a real meeting or meet-up yet but I've been a regular on the American Mensa's forum for a couple of weeks now.

First impression is it's pretty similar to here - variety of topics - depth of discussion - general civility - etc...

(not nearly as much videogame discussion however)

I was somewhat surprised to find Mensa has an older demographic than I expected - at nearly forty I'm on the younger side of the forum participants.

(apparently partly due to a surprisingly soap-operaish political drama with the main leadership in the latter 90's from what I hear - large increases to yearly dues was also a factor)

I am occasionally surprised to find some there who are surprisingly thick - but for the most part they are in the minority...

Saw a few pics from past annual gatherings - whoa - not a ton of lookers and a whole lotta sausage!

;-)

I have probably stirred up the pot a bit much - but I am amazed at how short sighted some of the regulars there are - it comes as no surprise that one of the original founders - on their 50 year anniversary gather in 1996 - essentially said that he was disappointed to find that [the membership] were essentially still mostly ego-centric infants who spent a lot of time on pointless puzzles and other "mental masturbation".

I'd hafta agree - but I do think some of the "young" blood - such as myself - do have some good ideas on how they can expand their charter and increase their membership - mostly by providing more material benefits and education to fellow members - and also their communities.

Apparently - I hear - they have blown around 2 mil on legal fees suing for trademark infringment in recent years which has been seen as a somewhat questionable use of members funds at best.

I have a lot of faith that this org can be turned around and become something that people will actively and publicly want to be part of - and I am already finding some likeminded members who are eager to bring such reforms right away.

Wish me luck!

 

[stoneyface]

you actually touched on one of the major things that annoyed me with the membership when i "tried them out" no one wanted to discuss how to make life better or easier for all. no one wanted to discuss or brainstorm things to make the planet better. they were more concerned with how long it took them to solve dracula's puzzle and other retarded puzzle brainteaser crap. very infuriating when i think i have found mental peers who have the brain power to change the world only to find they are more interested in fluffing their egos... sigh

i say, stir the pot man. go for it. really whack that hornets nest a bit. maybe it will shake them out of their complacency and get them to do something!

[Bonk]

... no one wanted to discuss how to make life better or easier for all. no one wanted to discuss or brainstorm things to make the planet better. ... when i think i have found mental peers who have the brain power to change the world ...

Why not start such a group? Does one already exist? We have ranks... and a wide variety of views and thinkers.

Dynaverse.net is an alternative to Mensa. Many smart folks here, ...

Problems: let's pick em off in bite sized pieces. First, get our own house in order.

Stoney, I like the way you think. I have decided that it is OK to go for big dreams and to aim high. I've had enough moaning and pissing. It's time to do something. We are old enough, it is our social obligation.

Sermon over.  (actually, to be continued... )

[marstone]

Will agree Bonk.  You aim high, thus if you fall short, you still got something done.  But take it in pieces you can handle (or a group can handle).

[Lono]

So I was finally able to attend an "official" Mensa meeting in Denver and I found most of the attendees to be pretty stand up folk.

They wouldn't have looked out of place sitting around a SFB board imho.

Of course - that's a testament to their ages also - at almost 40 - I was the second youngest at the table!

Almost everyone worked in IT or related disciplines - which wasn't too surprising - however they all seemed socially well adjusted - much to my surprise.

I did actually find that my local group was much more positive about my new ideas for the organization - then I have experienced in the online forums - but people are usually a little more amenable when face to face.

Ironically I developed a full blown migraine shortly before the meeting - making reasoned debate very very difficult for me - in fact I almost couldn't drive myself home!

I think that there is a real changing of the guard at Mensa as the Gen X'ers start to take more positions of authority - and I - from my experiences so far - would really recommend that many here re-consider joining at this time.

(many many here may already be pre-qualified by tests they have already taken)

Let me know if any of you decide to come back into the fold!

 

[Sirgod]

Thanks for the update Lono, I am pleased as punch that you are enjoying it, headache withstanding.

Heh, It's a catch .22 for me man. I'm kinda set in my ways, and can hold a grudge for 25+ years at times, so I don't know how I would fit in with the new blood, who while I appreciate trying to change the old guard, Would find me somewhat More misanthropic then I appear here.

I mean with you guys, it's a friendship that has went well over a decade, so I am happy to BS all day with you, but new people, I just can't work up any excitement to do so.

That being Said, I do appreciate the offer Lono, your as stand up a guy as anyone I know.

Stephen

[Dash Jones]

I only have an IQ of 155, so not exactly stellar Einstein...plus I don't see what Mensa does to actually change the world.

Now the Illuminati...

[Sirgod]

LOL @ Dash.

ok, that one had me almost choke on coffee.

Stephen

[Lono]

So Mensa has been okay so far - I've actually dealt far more with them online than offline.

Started a national SIG (special interest group) to create a Mensa Credit Union - and explore entrepreneurial avenues for other Mensans.

Worth the $63 Dollar yearly fee imho...  if only to see the nerd flame wars that even sometime out nerd these forums.

Love if some of you guys would consider joining - just had the annual clichéd Star Trek vs. Star Wars debate - Star Trek wiped the floor with SW (of course).

Ran into a few SFB lovers - have pointed them here for a piece of the action...

 

[ShadowDiver]

Umm.....

I can cook....and scuba dive....

[Sirgod]

Scuba FTW!!!

Stephen

[Lono]

Umm.....

I can cook....and scuba dive....

I can't....  yet.

Would love to learn - especially the scuba!

I assume it takes a little bit of disposable income to pursue however, eh?

[Sirgod]

Yes indeed. It's been 20 years or so since I took classes, but even then, with equipment, it was around 2-3k. More if you want to get into say a college type excursion on wreck or cave diving.

No clue what a PADDI goes for now, but I know a few of the guys here also Dive.

Stephen

[ShadowDiver]

cool maybe....we could start a scuba thread 

BTW, this is me...

and this is my current rig...

and this is what I do...

and if your in construction...you'll understand this one..

and yes it's very very $.....

[Sirgod]

Where are you located ShadowDiver? If you don't mind me asking that is.

About 10 years or so, I had a chance to go to Texas to study science dives, and I kick myself in the butt for not going. Alas, I'm getting to old for school now, but it would have been fun.

Stephen

[Sirgod]

Here ya go Lono, all in jest of course.

----------

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are the winners:



1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

3. Intaxicaton : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

6. Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high

7. Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

8. Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

9. Osteopornosis : A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit..)

10. Karmageddon : It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

11. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

12. Glibido : All talk and no action.

13. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

14. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

15. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

16. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.



The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

And the winners are:



1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.

3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. Esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.

6. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.

7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.

11. Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.

12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. Pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.

14 . Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

15 . Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men

Stephen

[Lono]

So I have now become the main coordinator of the Mensa SIG I belong to - and I have changed the format from a one issue special interest group into more of a general Mensan think tank for brainstorming and supporting ideas/projects to help enrich/assist fellow members.

It is actually quite surprising to me that - at this time - there is only one other genuine think tank out there that actually serves the general membership.

Unfortunately my current work situation - and lack of personal resources - has kept me from fully pursuing all opportunities for the group.

I would love if anyone here would consider joining Mensa and contacting me so that I recruit you into the SIG - as I can use all the allies I can get!

Please note that many of you here may already be pre-qualified to join:

http://www.us.mensa.org/join/testscores/qualifyingscores/

Let me know if you are interested - I would love to get you on board - things are really poised to take off in 2012 in my opinion.

 

[Sirgod]

I think that's wonderful you Lono, But shoot man, I'm not even sure where my old scores would be. I might be able to pull up the old old old SAT's , and possibly the old Asvab, But I see that's not even used, and for good reason.

Stephen

EDIT. I think I'll give the old College a call later, But it has changed hands so much since I went there, It's hard to say.

[Lono]

Well that would be awesome if you can join - and if you don't have the scores you can always take the Mensa supplied test to get in.

In any case - if I can get some resources this year - I intend to create a parallel think tank that is not restricted to just the Mensa membership - and I will be recruiting from these forums for sure.

One thing we might want to think about around here is creating a formal game company - if no one here has done that yet. With the recent mega-success of Minecraft and other independent ventures - and the excess of talent around here - this year might be the time to have the Dynaverse expand into something more formalized like that.

(again - forgive me if this is already in progress - and if so we just maybe need to run a kickstarter like internal donation drive)