# How many Dopers are Mensans? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 1, 2003, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545 "2003-07-01T10:46:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/42 "2003-07-02T18:30:30Z")
Lapsed Mensan. I had to drop the fee when finances became tight years and years ago, and I never saw fit to start it up again. ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/43 "2003-07-02T19:08:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bill H. \* > \*\*There’s a big difference between taking classes with advanced topics and being told a large number. The class content had plenty of value in lots of ways in life. The large number doesn’t do much but swell the head. And at the time, this concept was explained as well. > > The sole entrance criteria to Mensa is a big number. And in fact, the people in Mensa are smart. But saying “I belong to Mensa”, or “My son belongs to Mensa” is identical to saying “I have an IQ greater than 130 (I think that’s the criteria)”. Identical. And to me, that’s an extremely rude statement to make to others, especially in the (literally) 98% chance that their IQ is less than yours. \*\* **Billy H.** - Attending Mensa events isn’t about having a ‘big number’ – it’s about getting together with people who are interesting and people who have enough sense to see the logic behind a valid point. There’s value in that. Frankly, I don’t see the difference between this form of entertainment and belonging to an advanced bowling league. On your second point – Mensa is no different than any of the other institutions / societies that use skill or talent as a base for admission. Colleges look to SAT scores as one of their criteria, [which _prior to 1994_ were essentially IQ tests,] when deciding academic scholarships or who gets admitted. So - if John makes an 800 on his SATs – he can kiss Duke goodbye and kiss his local job fair hello. But it doesn’t stop there — job related personnel decisions are made using the ‘Wonderlic Personnel Test’ — which is an IQ test. Chess teams have ‘cuts’ based on wins and ranking. In other areas ----- pro football teams look at your physical strength, time in the 40, AND Wonderlic scores (IQ) when deciding whom to draft. So having admissions criteria is nothing new. It’s a requirement in a wide range of activities / organizations. For the life of me ---- what is it about Mensa that brings out the disdain? It’s just a social club. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/44 "2003-07-02T19:25:15Z")
The ONE topic I have NEVER heard discussed at a Mensa event is the I.Q. of those present. Ever. Bill H.: Except when asked the question directly (as is the case in this thread), very few Ms mention it to non-Ms, either. They certainly don’t go about bragging or showing off; most have learned not to do that. I put it on a job application once, mostly because I had been out of the job market for about 10 years and I had to put down SOMETHING. I got the job, but regretted revealing that info. Being human, sometimes I made mistakes, and every single time, I got “well, you’re so smart, you shouldn’t have done such a dumb thing,” thrown at me. Most people realize that scoring well on an IQ test tells you just one thing: this person does well on standardized tests. It tells you nothing – NOTHING – about diligence, effort, reliability, social graces, dedication, or any of a myriad of other things that really matter in life. The cool thing about attending a Mensa meeting is that if somebody says something you don’t understand, you just ask for more info and nobody thinks the less of you for it. And nobody has to “talk down” to anyone – it’s just assumed that everybody is able to learn whatever it is that the other person is talking about. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/45 "2003-07-02T19:27:53Z")
Do you all have giant foreheads, like in that Dilbet cartoon? That’s how I’ve always imagined Mensa meetings… ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/46 "2003-07-02T19:34:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*Do you all have giant foreheads, like in that Dilbet cartoon? That’s how I’ve always imagined Mensa meetings… \*\* only because you asked – yes, I do have a giant forehead. As a side note - the fellow who draws those Dilbert cartoons 9Scott Adams?) is - or at least was a Mensa member. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/47 "2003-07-02T21:20:26Z")
I can’t believe I said “Dilbet,” like it’s French, or something. No wonder I’m not a member! ---
**Author:** ![Aguecheek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Aguecheek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aguecheek)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/48 "2003-07-02T22:20:42Z")
I completed a pre-qualifying test and was given a list of officers from the DC branch(?) to contact to talk about joining. I phoned the person listed as the membership coordinator about 5 bloody times and she never returned my call. I figured if she was a representative sample of the DC group, I’d rather not have much to do with them. Now that I’m in Washington, I might give it another try someday. ---
**Author:** ![jennalynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a698b9/32.png) [@jennalynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jennalynn)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/49 "2003-07-02T22:33:27Z")
When I was in school, they told me my IQ was over 135, but they wouldn’t tell me the exact number either (and I still don’t know). So, I guess I could join, but my father is a member and I try not to get involved in anything he’s involved in. Well, plus there’s the whole thing where I hate meetings, clubs, groups, and gatherings of people in general. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/50 "2003-07-02T23:44:21Z")
**Tigers2B1** wrote > [@](#): > > Billy H. - > > Attending Mensa events isn’t about having a ‘big number’ – it’s about getting together with people who are interesting and people who have enough sense to see the logic behind a valid point. There’s value in that. Frankly, I don’t see the difference between this form of entertainment and belonging to an advanced bowling league. So you say. My experience was different. There were lots of nice people, but many with attitude as well. And frankly, though the level of intelligence was high there, I was somewhat underwhelmed, I guess I was expecting a bit more. I was a member for a year, but didn’t bother renewing. Also, if you’re into intellectual elitism, Mensa is actually on the bottom of the heap, believe it or not. Check out [Mega Society](http://www.angelfire.com/ms/mega/OMSHP.html), [Prometheus Society](http://www.prometheussociety.org/), [The International Society for Philosophical Enquiry](http://www.thethousand.com), amongst others. One other comment: I met many folks in these organizations (though many years ago), and I never met even one person in that world who had accomplished anything substantial. In later life, I’ve met many people who’ve done some big things, and I would be shocked to find any of them at a Mensa meeting. As I say, there’s nothing wrong with being in Mensa, just that it’s kindof a substitute for what I consider real intellectualism. And it’s “Bill H.”, thank you. Unless that was a clever Mensan insult. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/51 "2003-07-02T23:56:42Z")
Very well said, **MLS**. I’m a member, and I just joined for the hell of it, because I found out I could. I went to a few local gatherings when I was single, and found out that all the active members in my area were about 20 years older than I am. But I still check out the calendar to see if any activities catch my eye. I did put it on my resume once, too. I also regretted it, since the company did little bios on all new employees, and sure enough, that little nugget made it into mine. That made me feel pretty dorky. ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/52 "2003-07-03T00:37:55Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Bill H. \* > [@](#): > > **So you say. My experience was different.** Fair enough. People are certainly different and as such have different experiences. And people who join Mensa - being ‘people’ - join Mensa for a variety of reasons and react to the world in a variety of ways – > [@](#): > > **Also, if you’re into intellectual elitism, Mensa is actually on the bottom of the heap, believe it or not.** I think you hit on the problem some people - who take your position - may have. **My** experience in Mensa has been nothing like the one you seemed to have had – or that others seem to assume if they’ve never had the experience. Again, my local Mensa group, in large part, consists of very good people. People who work in the community - who do volunteer work — not saying there are a few others who fit another description – but that’s the way people are. Sure, you can meet some who are into “intellectual elitism” - but you can also meet those people in physics or philosophy class, you can meet them on the Straightdope message board for goodness sakes. In my experiences, they’re by no means the greater part - far from it. So - that’s no reason to forsake the entire society - physics, philosophy or this message board. > [@](#): > > **And it’s “Bill H.”, thank you. Unless that was a clever Mensan insult.** It was an accident – mostly I didn’t use the quote button. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/53 "2003-07-03T02:02:06Z")
**Tigers2B1** wrote > [@](#): > > Again, my local Mensa group, in large part, consists of very good people. People who work in the community - who do volunteer work — not saying there are a few others who fit another description – but that’s the way people are. Sure, you can meet some who are into “intellectual elitism” - but you can also meet those people in physics or philosophy class, you can meet them on the Straightdope message board for goodness sakes. In my experiences, they’re by no means the greater part - far from it. For the record, that was my experience as well. Lots of nice people and a few with attitude. Just a few more with attitude than I was comfortable with. But generally, smart nice people. and that’s not a bad combo. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/54 "2003-07-03T05:11:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*Used to be DC Mensa, but I saw no point in paying $45/year when I can hang with you guys for free. \*\* Exactly what gobear said, except my membership was in Maryland. ---
**Author:** ![tram2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@tram2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tram2)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/55 "2003-07-03T05:18:08Z")
“I would never be a member of any group that would allow me to join.” er somthin’ like that 😉 ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/56 "2003-07-03T05:46:28Z")
I got a membership as a high school graduation present (My dad sent in my SATs and paid the entrance/annual fee for a year.) I never did anything with it. But, well, there were many more important things to do with my money when it came time for dues (I was a college student) - so I didn’t renew. Maybe someday I’ll rejoin, but I doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![Drabble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8491ac/32.png) [@Drabble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drabble)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/57 "2003-07-03T05:56:04Z")
I only ever get 130 on IQ tests. Don’t you have to get 140 to be a mensa member? I wouldn’t pay dues anyway, so not much use for me…sour grapes you think? LOL!! ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/58 "2003-07-03T16:07:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Drabble \* > \*\*I only ever get 130 on IQ tests. Don’t you have to get 140 to be a mensa member? \*\* It depends on the test. The variously quoted “IQ” numbers are meaningless without adding the name and date of the test. The only place where they all meet, even theoretically, is at 100 (which means average). On some tests a 130 is in the top 2%. ---
**Author:** ![TommyTutone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@TommyTutone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TommyTutone)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/59 "2003-07-03T18:21:10Z")
I’m a member. I have only engaged in one activity, Atlanta’s Mensa Mind Game review-thingy evaluation. Some very nice people and some folks there and some folks lacking any maturity and social grace… no different than most eclectic groups. I have a Mensa Mastercard, where I get 1 IQ point smarter for every $100 I spend. I figure it helps counteract the beer. Also, when people comment on the Mensa thing, I tell them that I’m the token dumb guy, let in to make the group look more accessible. ---
**Author:** ![TommyTutone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@TommyTutone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TommyTutone)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/60 "2003-07-03T18:32:31Z")
I’m a member. I have only engaged in one activity, Atlanta’s Mensa Mind Game review-thingy evaluation. Some very nice people and some folks there and some folks lacking any maturity and social grace… no different than most eclectic groups. I have a Mensa Mastercard, where I get 1 IQ point smarter for every $100 I spend. I figure it helps counteract the beer. Also, when people comment on the Mensa thing, I tell them that I’m the token dumb guy, let in to make the group look more accessible. ---
**Author:** ![TommyTutone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@TommyTutone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TommyTutone)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545/61 "2003-07-03T18:37:40Z")
^ This proves I’m the token dumb guy. | | [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-are-mensans/185545.md?page=4)