Any Mensa members here??

[MsKandice01]

I just got my test results and I qualify for membership (yay!) but I'm wondering whether I should actually spend the money to join the club. If anyone here is a member, do you think the membership is worth it?

[Phillycat]

1. Oh boy.

:popcorn:

[MsKandice01]

4. I'm really not trying to brag...

I'm a two-time college dropout so it's not like my smarts have done me a damn bit of good but I honestly haven't known anyone who has been a member and I really only took the test just to see if I could get in.

[Phillycat]

6. No, no, that's not the reason for the popcorn.

This has been discussed before in the Lounge, with flame-y results. In fact, I posted that old thread.

I was a Mensa member for a short while, because I liked the puzzles they sent me in the mail, but I never went to meetings or anything. Others have told me that they are populated by socially-awkward geeks who like to brag about how smart they are. Also, they say the annual fee is a scam.

[Alexander]

2. I was briefly in high school

My parents, in their long, bitter divorce, decided to make me take in IQ test. I scored high enough to get in.

I got the magazine and was able to attend the meetings.

They were mostly a bunch of arrogant, self-important jerks, most of whom suggested eugenics and/or an aristocracy based on IQ score.

Any attempt to discuss the valid argument that IQ tests are only good at measuring your ability to take IQ tests fell on deaf ears.

I soon quit the group.

[MsKandice01]

5. See...that's what I'm afraid of...

Hanging out with either a bunch of arrogant jerks or a bunch of geeks with absolutely no social skills. I'm already lacking in the social skills department myself.

[johnnie]

3. Well, I am an instructor at mensa gatherings

The pea-brains need the help.
















:P

[KyndCulture]

7. two words - GIFTED THREAD

Shudder.

[Phillycat]

8. Exactly, that too.

Hence the popcorn. :popcorn:

[anarch]

9. I ain't in no clubs, but I'm real smart-like

Or wait...maybe it was "you're a real smart-aleck" that I've been told. Nevermind.

[TheBaldyMan]

10. I don't know how helpful the membership is,

I've heard that Mensa is like a dating service for nerds.

I am a proud member of Densa, that's for everyone that can't get into Mensa.

[sniffa]

11. um, wrong forum

go to free repubLic for those.

[spinbaby]

12. 20-year member here

Meet your local group and attend a few social events, then decide. As a rule, Mensa is a very friendly, outgoing group and will welcome newcomers, even if they're not members or not members yet. Yes, there is a fairly high percentage of classic nerds, but not as many as you'd imagine. Through Mensa, I've met some of the most fascinating people--a rather famous coroner, a former museum curator who devoted her retirement to traveling the world, a professional ballroom dancer...definite non-geeks. The groups I've been with, tend to be older, tend not to drink, and love to play games. Give us a try, you may have fun.

[MsKandice01]

14. The game-playing was the main draw for me...

I LOVE to play games...but rarely can find anyone to play games with.

[spinbaby]

18. Try some local games nights

You should have a contact for the local group--they can fill you in on the calendar and steer you to a gaming event. Here in the east, they tend to be at someone's house and it's usual to bring along food. Scrabble, Boggle, and bridge are very popular. And I must admit that I sometimes go to these things just to play the dictionary game because it's my favorite and it really needs at least four or five people to play.

[LibertyLover]

13. Yeah - but not particularly active

I took the test years ago during freshman year in college when I was feeling particularly down on myself. I got in and joined and went to a few local meetings. I have to say that some of the people were nice if a bit strange, while most were just strange and not particularly appealing in just about any way you want to imagine. So I stopped going to MENSA things, but kept the membership, mostly to remind myself that I was intelligent when I got stuck in dead-end jobs. When I moved to Maryland, I did get involved in a SIG - Special Interest Group - called the Full Moon SIG. It was an open Wiccan circle. I met a number of people with whom I am still friends and we still learn and worship together. Non-MENSANs were welcomed, but I only found out about it because I was in MENSA. The SIG died when its founder moved. The new location was just out of the way enough that nobody wanted to go there. Then her husband died and she moved to a trailer which could not have accomodated more than 3 or 4 people. It really ended about 9 months ago when she died, about 2 months after she moved to the mobile home. To be honest, I'm thinking of not renewing the next time my membership comes due. I don't particularly need it now. But, yeah, there are some major weirdos in MENSA.

[kay1864]

20. Nitpick...

Mensa, not MENSA. It's a word, not an acronym.








:hide:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. No, I'm too busy with my White Pride Club.

:eyes:

[MsKandice01]

21. You really think Mensa equates to that??

Seriously?

[distantearlywarning]

23. It's been demonstrated several times on DU

that people are jealous and angry about this subject. And intelligence is fair game for contempt.

Don't worry about it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

25. Pretty much.

It doesn't take a Mensa member to figure it out.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

16. If I tested in, I'd join for the fun of it.

I don't have anything experience-wise to add, though.

[Renew Deal]

17. The Lounge crowd doesn't have the skills to answer this.

:hide:







:evilgrin:

[kay1864]

19. I went to a few Mensa parties when I was in college

Fun people, but IIRC it depends on the area. The event in Charlotte NC (this was in 1980) wasn't that interesting, but the events and parties in Atlanta were.

I'd try it for a year. Even if you don't go to local events, I imagine nowadays there's online forums for whatever interests you.

[AllegroRondo]

22. I joined briefly, but left after one meeting

it was basically a "my brain is bigger than your brain" club, with people trying to demonstrate how much better they were than each other.

[Shine]

24. I'm not, but my Dad is. He's had a good time with it.

He goes to the special regional meetings and whatnot. In fact, this past summer, he was one of the speakers at their big convention in Orlando, FL.

I think he enjoys the opportunities to hang out with other super-smartie pants. :D

Congrats on your test! Have fun if you join! :hi:

[asthmaticeog]

26. I was a member once.

Honestly, I didn't think the annual dues were even slightly worth it, so I only stayed in for a few years. I might see if I can re-up for resumé-padding purposes (can't hurt, right?), but if not, I won't exactly feel wounded.

[chaska]

27. Mensa turned my brother into a bit of a prick, even put it on his business cards.

(said to no one in particular) Forget how smart you are, get a life instead. Don't lord it over people. Sorry if I offend, Kandice.