[Greylorn]

This seems like a good juncture to supply a link to a thought-provoking article about the Flynn Effect[/url], and what IQ tests cannot tell you.

I'd be interested in everyone's thoughts on this.

Great idea. Its this problem with IQ tests which makes me too nervous to take one. Plus I get very nervous taking tests not to mention that I don't want the results to change how I feel about myself, which I'm certain they will.

Like most people, self included, you're afraid of not cutting it.  The difference is that I confronted my fear, while you're run by yours.  Not to worry.

Most of the Mensans I encountered were smart but ordinary.  One, however, was an obvious dolt who did not belong in that loosely-defined group of smart people.  So I got to know him a bit, and in time learned that he got in through sheer determination.  He kept taking exams until he found one simplistic but accepted test he could pass.  He could afford this because thanks to dead rich parents he did not have to work or do anything interesting for a living.  One of his great accomplishments was to be hired as a movie extra, for one scene, in the Old Tucson movie lot.  It was not a speaking part.  As I recall, he played the part of a besotted drunk sitting on his ass on the ground, propped up by an adobe structure. 

You can make it!   
And if somehow you do not, so effing what? 

Earlier in this thread someone expressed a fear of speed.  That's silly.  I'm a notoriously slow thinker, and had all the time I could use.  They put the really hard questions at the end of sections, and when I got to them and realized that I could not answer correctly, I merely moved on to the next section.   The tests top out at around 200, I think, so they must include that level of question; but you only need about 140 IQ, maybe a bit less. 

If you blow the first go-around, retake the exam.   

You people thinking about trying out for Mensa should do so as a service to yourself, not to mention the fine opportunity to get laid and also enjoy the occasional snippets of good company. 

[PmbPhy (OP)]

Like most people, self included, you're afraid of not cutting it.  The difference is that I confronted my fear, while you're run by yours.  Not to worry.

I'm sorry but your mind reading skills are way off. In no way am I afraid of "not cutting it." If it were then I never would have majored in physics and math and college, I never would have taken the IQ test that I did choose to take, I never would have dared to walk into Alan Guth's office at MIT and start talking to him about relativity, I never would have taken the course in general relativity at MIT like I did and as such would never have met Dr. Edwin Taylor, I never would have pointed out some major flaws in his text, never would have contacted all the physics gurus that I have and become friends with them, etc.
So, no. In no way, shape or form, am I "afraid of cutting it." You're confusing that with what I explained and test anxiety. Please don't do that.

Earlier in this thread someone expressed a fear of speed.

I'd request that in the future you please read the posts that you're referring to much closer than you are now because it was I who mentioned speed and I certainly didn't say anything about fear. What I actually said was

I'm not sure I'd like to be in Mensa. They being a high IQ society means thinking fast and I don't think of myself as a fast thinker. I think I can get where they do but at a slower rate. Comes with the ADD I have I guess.   

That you thought it had something to do with fear might have come from your own imagination.

[Greylorn]

Like most people, self included, you're afraid of not cutting it.  The difference is that I confronted my fear, while you're run by yours.  Not to worry.

I'm sorry but your mind reading skills are way off. In no way am I afraid of "not cutting it." If it were then I never would have majored in physics and math and college, I never would have taken the IQ test that I did choose to take, I never would have dared to walk into Alan Guth's office at MIT and start talking to him about relativity, I never would have taken the course in general relativity at MIT like I did and as such would never have met Dr. Edwin Taylor, I never would have pointed out some major flaws in his text, never would have contacted all the physics gurus that I have and become friends with them, etc.
So, no. In no way, shape or form, am I "afraid of cutting it." You're confusing that with what I explained and test anxiety. Please don't do that.

Earlier in this thread someone expressed a fear of speed.

I'd request that in the future you please read the posts that you're referring to much closer than you are now because it was I who mentioned speed and I certainly didn't say anything about fear. What I actually said was

I'm not sure I'd like to be in Mensa. They being a high IQ society means thinking fast and I don't think of myself as a fast thinker. I think I can get where they do but at a slower rate. Comes with the ADD I have I guess.   

That you thought it had something to do with fear might have come from your own imagination.

No doubt my imagination produced my comments, but not necessarily the transfer of feelings.  Mine are mine; yours are yours.   If my remarks struck you as insensitive, that could be (I'm not saying it is) because I pushed a hot button.  I have a history of that, no history of making casual friends. 

Sorry about not connecting you personally with "fear of speed."  The format of this forum is awkward, making it difficult to address specific comments back in the thread sequence.  I knew the info and you did not imply that I interpreted it improperly, so what's the problem that I did not attribute it specifically to you?  I think that the issue would affect others, as it did me.

I showed up several times, uninvited, in the offices of physics professors, but not so notable as those you've referenced.   I once faced down an astronomy professor (director of the laboratory for which I worked) in front of a full NASA control room, and lost.  Why?  He was not only right, but he was way smarter than me.   

So your comments give me pause for thought.  I wasn't "afraid" of confronting my professors, as you were not-- so why was I afraid of taking a Mensa test?   I do not know, but I was.  Perhaps it was because a test of that sort is an objective measurement in which I'd compare myself to others, whereas a confrontation with a professor is a private thing.   I could lose badly and invent all sorts of BS excuses, and who would care.  Without a standard, how would I even care?   That's just a guess. 

You can easily disprove my fear hypothesis, or at least prove that it does not apply to you.   Take a Mensa test.  I'd happily send you a link but the site does not allow it.  Easy enough to look up. 

I assume that you'll ace it, and whatever, anticipate a report of the results.  Gather them up.  Perhaps after this exchange, others would appreciate knowing the outcome.   You, as moderator, could serve as an excellent role model. 

Best regards,
G

[alancalverd]

People join clubs in order to associate with others like themselves, or to achieve something that requires collaboration.

I tend towards Groucho Marx in the first respect: I wouldn't want to join a club that would have me as a member, but I can't afford my own aeroplane, yacht, or river bank, and there is very little music written for solo tuba, so I join syndicates, clubs and bands with a common purpose rather than a common personal characteristic. The joy of this approach is that even if you don't meet 36-24-36-140 every time (and once was enough - I married my canoe instructor), you still get to fly, sail, lie about fishing, and ruin great music with likeminded enthusiasts, some of whom are real experts.   

[yor_on]

know a guy (driver) that dropped into their homepage (<- presumably that is) by mistake, saw the tests and did them,  being curious :) He's also a member those days Pete. You shouldn't take it so seriously, I think it's a far greater achievement myself to understand the mathematics and propositions creating relativity, and that one you already mastered as I understands it.

[Greylorn]

When I was at school many moons ago they gave everyone an aptitude test. It has the same sort of questions as an IQ test. I didn't like school, although I did very well in english, physics, but very poorly in mathematics. One of my teachers kept me back after class one day and, trying to encourage me to do better, told me I was in the top 1% in the test and should motivate myself. Did it make any difference? No. It is not about how much aptitude you have. After leaving school I took various evening courses in chemistry, computer science and mathematics amongst others. The teachers bored the pants off me at school. Inspiration was lacking. Any child can achieve greatness with the right inspiration.

No doubt that since then you've written a number of books or essays that include your contributions to human knowledge.  Would you care to reference a few?
Greylorn

[Greylorn]

I'm curious. Do any of you belong to Mensa? I'm curious as to why some people choose to join them. Is it to meet people who are like you or is it something else? I've been thinking about joining. I know I have the IQ for it but hate taking tests. Lol!

Having a high IQ isn't always a good thing. It can be lonely. Meeting others like me might be good for me.

Thoughts?

I joined Mensa just to see if I'd cut the test.  I went to some parties and gatherings, and got laid by some women I could enjoy awakening to, next morning, but none to whom I'd want to awaken with for the rest of my life.  No doubt they felt the same way. 

Don't host Mensa parties in Tucson, Arizona, unless you want to be divested of useful property. 
Greylorn

[cinka]

I think joining an organization is a king of exciting and meeting different people with different culture is an adventure. You can learn a lot from them. I love it!

[diverjohn]

I joined Mensa about 30 years ago in order to meet intelligent people in a social setting. After a while it became obvious the members split into 2 groups: the numbers people and the words people. The numbers people were mostly interested in spewing data instead of showing good social skills, and I found the wordy people were spewing big words as a show of power. After a couple of years I left and joined a more social organization that promoted skiing and hiking.
As for including Mensa membership on one`s CV, I stopped doing it after several people asked why I wasn`t building nuclear weapons or working for NASA.

[mrsmith2211]

I did the online test passed it, just to see if I could. Now I meet a few really intelligent people at social gatherings and love the conversation and philosophical exchanges we get into, get to see one of the smartest guys I have ever met at a Labor Day party, probably off the radar, and he was asking if I would be there, only met him once. I learn things and I enjoy it, might should try a mensa meeting, but not really into looking for social activity at this point.

[profound]

I'm curious. Do any of you belong to Mensa? I'm curious as to why some people choose to join them. Is it to meet people who are like you or is it something else? I've been thinking about joining. I know I have the IQ for it but hate taking tests. Lol!

Having a high IQ isn't always a good thing. It can be lonely. Meeting others like me might be good for me.

Thoughts?

Its so they can be with their own kind and look down at the lower classes from their lofty position.

Its no different then joining a gang to feel included.

People hate and fear the unknown.