The thread on IQ tests got me thinking (or something that would pass as such to the untrained eye).
Now, obviously, you’re a brilliant as well as attractive (as well as nude!) group of people one would ever want to imbibe hard liquor and stumble into a virtual hottub with, but what I’d like to know is how many of you are Mensa, and how many are ex-Mensa?
I’m ex.
I don’t think I’m particularly bright - there are vast areas of the storehouse I’ve never explored - just look around this place! I got in because I test well.
I’ve never applied to Mensa. I’ve tested between 135 and 150 depending on the test, and feel that how well you do on a test is partly a measure of how well you take tests. It does not guarantee you will be a scintillating conversationalist, drop-dead gorgeous, ir even fun to be with. I like to think I’m “smart”, but have found that most folks are pretty smart in one way or another. Does a measurably high amount of conventional intelligence make someone a better person? I dunno, but I’ve met some pretty engaging people who weren’t “smart”, but were decent (and better) human beings anyway.
Intelligence doesn’t hurt, but it’s only part of what makes someone worthwhile. Arguably, it’s not necessarily the most important part of the equation.
But IQ tests aren’t really good indicators of how smart you truly are; they are only potential.
I know many people who have gone beyond their potential and many people who will never reach their full potential.
I was going to be in Mensa until I found out that I would have to drive two hours to go to meetings.
Last time I took an IQ test–I was somewhere in the 150-160 range. But it’s like you say–IQ tests don’t take into account how well a person performs socially. Look up unca Cece’s column on the ‘2nd smartest man in the world’ for a good example.
The Mensa meetings around here are hours away from where I live, too.
I was tested but haven’t the faintest idea of my score.
And never considered Mensa as an organization because I loathe joining anything (SD is an aberration in so many ways) and Mensa sounded more horrifying than most.
What’s the point? Fun? (Shudder) Eugenics? (shudder)
Folk epigram: “if you gotta carry a sign saying ‘I am’, you ain’t”.
I’ll take the SD and wonderful folks met by grace and serendipity.
I dunno. My experience with Mensa is limited to the events I went to with my mother, but as far as i can tell, they’re a bunch of people who get together every so often, argue heatedly about religion and politics, tell jokes, talk about sex, make fun of each other, and then go home. So it seems kind of similar to SDMB to me.
I didn’t meet too many sign carriers, but maybe Mom just avoids them.
Too smart to pay the extortionate dues Mensa demands, not smart enough to refrain from posting on this thread…
I test fairly consistently around 160-165. That and $10 will get you a cappuccino at Starbucks.
jr8 “Stupid is as stupid does”
“The difference between ignorant and educated people is that the latter know more facts. But that has nothing to do with whether they are stupid or intelligent. The difference between stupid and intelligent people – and this is true whether or not they are well educated – is that intelligent people can handle subtlety. They are not baffled by ambiguous or even contradictory situations – in fact, they expect them and are apt to become suspicious when things seem overly straightforward.”
– Neal Stephenson
Being ignorant I don’t know who Neal Stephenson is. But I think that’s a great definition. Who the hell is Neal Stephenson?
(Curiousity being another important componant of intelligence. )
Sci-fi author. The above quote is from The Diamond Age, which I’m not sure I’d recommend rushing right out to buy – try your local library first. I liked Snow Crash better.
jr8
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise.”
– F. Scott Fitzgerald (I presume you’ve heard of him? ;))
Well, don’t I feel stupid. I’ve tested between 116 and 121.
But atleast I’m 40 pounds overweight, and I only have 9 toe nails.
However, I’m not so sure my score is indicative of my intelligence. Maybe I don’t do well on tests? Maybe I’m a doorknob with a pulse?
I read everything that comes within reach, I love crosswords, and I really dig the English language and it’s origins.
In Gaelic cwrw is pronounced coo-roo, and it means…beer.
Now, the above, is from memory. I read Bill Bryson’s “The Mother Tongue” about 2 years ago. I believe I’m correct, but I’m not 100% sure. Such is my life. If it needs correcting, I am positive that this is the place where it will happen.
Then again, what the hell do I know? I barely broke 120.
Clocked in around 160-170 and still learning how to function socially.
Certainly know there’s a shitload out there I don’t know, and would certainly like to understand a lot more of it. But there’s parts I’m interested in and parts you couldn’t pay me enough to even think about looking at. So I’ll settle for understanding what I’m interested in first and checking out everything else later on.
Didn’t stay in Mensa all that long - only about a year - basically 'cos it wasn’t as much fun to hang out in as the SDMB.
I’m somewhere between 140-150, so technically genius. Woo.
I’ve never applied to MENSA. Never seen the point, really. I’ve also never been interested in fraternities, sororities, or popularity contests. Maybe that has something to do with it.
I have used my blistering :rolleyes: intelligence to: get married, have a family and be a housewife. IQ test scores mean absolutely nothing if you don’t do anything with what you have.
Toss me in with the people who score around 140. Mind you, the last time I took the test, I had a grade 10 education and had been out of school for 10 years, so maybe my score that would be higher now. I’ve since developed my math skills, and I’m used to taking tests again. I’m too lazy to retake it, as I don’t put a terribly high value on IQ scores.
I think that being bright helps when you want to go somewhere in life, but after that, motivation, determination, and personality type will be bigger factors when it comes to what you do with your skills.
Oh, I did score in the highest range on my emotional IQ test. I’m not sure how accurate the test is, but I was a little more proud of that score than my general IQ.
I cannot recall having an IQ test. Perhaps I did as a child. My childhood is all a blur. My mom doesn’t remember if my sisters and I had IQ tests, or if she does know, she’s not telling. Maybe she didn’t want us fighting amongst ourselves, (a la “Frasier” - did you see the IQ episode?)
I’ve taken some computer IQ tests, and ranged between 160 and 120. Whatever that means. I don’t think I’m stupid, and I seem to learn fairly well. I do not believe that I am a “genius”, though. I think these online and computer IQ tests are highly suspect. So, I think I am probably “above average”.
)
