Well, I’ve often contemplated it. I actually just perused their web page and was stunned by the testing requirements–I honestly thought higher scores would be required than a 132 IQ. I thought I barely qualified, but apparently I’m more than qualified. Of course, I have to take a TEST…yech. No thanks. That or I need to dig up school IQ test crap, and I have no idea where it is–just what it is.
I’m also a bit bummed by the SAT score requirement–my score was just under their minimum requirement, and I took it my junior year while going through medical shit (related to my heart) that made me perpetually groggy. My ACT score from the following year, with all the medical stuff out of the picture, was the equivalent of around a 1450 SAT. And of course Mensa no longer recognizes that test. Grr!
But the thing is, the only real reason I’d join is basically to say, “Hey look! I’m in Mensa and that means I’M SMART!” I don’t want to give in to the base elitist in me.
But I dunno, like most here, I’ll probably give it a spin for a year. If I ever bother to get over my test aversion. Whatevah.
Winnowill, here are the membership criteria. Maybe you won’t have to compete.
Rickjay, I’ve read this three times, and burst out laughing every time.
Thanks for all the replies. I don’t know any local Mensans, and I don’t want to pay 50 bucks to meet some and decide how cool they are. A closer look at their website reveals their main organizational interest – which is “what makes us so special?”.
If Mensans are indeed cliquish (I am one and I haven’t found it so, but YMMV), I rather imagine that the *uber-*Mensans would refuse to acknowledge each other’s existence.
I’ve been following this thread with interest because of my first experience in Hawaii which matched a lot of the ones I’ve been reading about and my later experiences in Pittsburgh. One concern I hear on and off in Mensa is "Why don’t we have more members. Would you folks mind if I summarized this thread and wrote an article for the local Mensa newsletter (will get published), the national newsletter (may get published), and the Hell’s Mensans newsletter (may get published) talking about your experiences?
Like I’ve said, I didn’t expect to like or join the group, and I still have no time for people who can recite their IQ scores off the top of their heads. I go to RG’s because I like the company, and, BTW, those are quite definitely open to the general public – that’s how they suck in skeptics like me. I’d say they’re also probably the best place to find the non-arrogant variety of Mensans. This page has a list of upcoming Regional Gatherings. I’ll personally vouch for DAMNations , SEMMantics, and The Queen’s Croquet. The Pittsburgh RG isn’t listed yet, but it will be Labor Day Weekend, August 30 to September 2, and, since I’ve volunteered to be program chair for this thing, please considered all of yourselves officially invited. Oh, and if you’ve got a subject you’d like to run a program on, I’ve still got a few slots open.
Surreal, the national newsletter had statistics on membership by age, sex, marital status and a bunch of other stuff a few months ago. I’ll try to track down the stats, and, if they’re on-line, post a link to them.
The Mensan’s I’m hanging out with have a lot in common with what I’ve seen of Dopers. It’d be kind of neat to increase that.
CJ
“I’m a Mensan. I have greater capacity for doing stupid things!”
My proof? Like anyone would believe me one way or the other based on words on a screen…
I was encouraged by my dad during college to “just take the test” and see how I did. So I took the test. I woke up one rainy Saturday morning, went to the public library and took a few tests over a couple of hours.
If they think they can determine my IQ after 120 minutes well, more power to them. I don’t buy it. But anyway, I scored in the 93rd percentile on one of them and the 99th on another and so I was in.
I attended a few meetings. They really weren’t bad actually. I went to a book club and discussed science fiction and time travel. I went to a few games nights and played poker, scrabble, and cribbage. I even joined a gaming club and learned how to play AD&D.
But, ultimately, I didn’t feel connected to them. I also didn’t feel that these activities were worth $45 a year. So I quit after my second year. End of story.
cjhoworth , I think that’s a great idea. It seems like the newsletters (in particular the National one) are often commenting on how to improve the membership numbers, as well as their retention rate. Maybe they need to hear some of this stuff.
This is the response I got from the webmaster of Mensa Wisconsin, when I asked about local activities:
“There are regular events in the Madison area. The ones I can
remember at the moment are dinner at a restaurant and old ovie night at a members house. Most of our activities are social in nature.”
Doesn’t sound very eager to recruit anybody. Who would pay $50 a year for these “benefits”?
Here’s a recruiting idea: I would join Mensa if my membership entitled be to a discount at Barnes & Noble or Borders, or some other national chain for chrome domes. It would pay for itself. Or what the hell, even Block Buster. :rolleyes:
Mensa gets its name out more, the retailers get to be “Official (Whatevers)” of certified “geniuses”, and I get to be a more efficient couch potato. Everyone wins.
I submit this as evidence of my worthiness of Mensaship.
Accepted and noted. I know there are various companies which offer discounts, including at least one insurance agency. If anyone reading this is into playing games, there’s also an annual event called “Mind Games” where people get to test new games before they go on the market. I missed last year’s even though it was close to home because I didn’t know how much I was going to like these people. I think this year’s will be in Minnesota, but check the website.
Dearth of numbers.
It would pay for itself. Or what the hell, even Block Buster. :rolleyes: