[Jeysie]

Mistah Lacey:

While I've never joined Mensa, I've been a part of a few "gifted people" programs locally. There were usually two main reasons to join.

One, the same general reason why geeks like to hang out with other geeks... it's nice to be around people who are less likely to suffer glazed eyes and/or start snoring when you talk. Or, if you're a kid, less likely to tease you and beat you up for your abilities/interests.

Two, bragging rights. Not my personal cup of tea, but history shows that many human beings like feeling they're superior than others. ;P

Peace & Luv, Liz

[pinkgothic]

Originally Posted by Rulzern

The IQ doesn't say how intelligent you are (contrary to the meaning of the abbreviation),

It doesn't, not factually, but it tries to. I'm pointing it out because of what you said in brackets. The abbreviation is for "intelligence quotient" for a reason, rather than not.

Notably, formally intelligence is something far, far different than what most people colloquially seem to think it is, too, so perhaps that's what you're getting at?

Originally Posted by Rulzern

Also, tests taken online do not count at all, only tests done by qualified psychiatrists should count.

"Do not count at all"? How about "count significantly less". That really seems ]strongly exaggerated to me. Note, I'm not one to talk, since I exaggerate all the time - but hey.

[AFGNCAAP]

Originally Posted by pinkgothic

Note, I'm not one to talk, since I exaggerate all the time

No, not really.

[RLacey]

Originally Posted by Jeysie

One, the same general reason why geeks like to hang out with other geeks... it's nice to be around people who are less likely to suffer glazed eyes and/or start snoring when you talk. Or, if you're a kid, less likely to tease you and beat you up for your abilities/interests.

I dunno... I know of plenty of geeky people I could go speak to who don't necessarily have a Mensa-level IQ...

Two, bragging rights. Not my personal cup of tea, but history shows that many human beings like feeling they're superior than others. ;P

I suppose so, but haven't we all just been saying that IQ really isn't that important? Maybe people just like press attention or have overly pushy parents or something.

These kind of posts could probably be used to declare me "jealous", mind you...

[pinkgothic]

Originally Posted by AFGNCAAP

No, not really.

lol, AFGNCAAP. You know I love you. Can I have your babies?

...wait, I don't like kids.

Originally Posted by RLacey

I suppose so, but haven't we all just been saying that IQ really isn't that important?

Yeah, but just because we realise it doesn't mean everyone else does. IQ is a pretty big thing with most people. And like I said, even those who don't consider it practically important occasionally still like playing with the numbers. Well. Um. Me, at least.

[RLacey]

Originally Posted by pinkgothic

...wait, I don't like kids.

That's hardly important.

[Jeysie]

Originally Posted by RLacey

I dunno... I know of plenty of geeky people I could go speak to who don't necessarily have a Mensa-level IQ...

Well, I didn't mean that the two groups were the same, just that, for me at least, the motivation is similar. Most people like to be in groups where they feel like they're normal... or at least where people don't treat them like a freak.

Even in my so-called "honor/advanced" classes, people kind of treated me like an outsider, albeit a respected one. I mean, for instance, when you have the other kids in your class grabbing your test results to help them figure out why they got their own tests wrong, it makes you feel, well, like a freak of nature. It's nice to be in a situation where you feel like something other than "The Resident Braniac", which is easier when you're around other "smart people".

(Though, I do think that "being smart" has more to do with people's perceptions rather than any real difference in brainpower.)

Originally Posted by RLacey

I suppose so, but haven't we all just been saying that IQ really isn't that important? Maybe people just like press attention or have overly pushy parents or something.

Pink more or less explained this part, but all I can say is... dude, people have been inventing half-baked ideas to think they're superior than others ever since men came out of the trees, looked around before clothing was invented, and said "Me pee stick bigger you pee stick."

Peace & Luv, Liz

[pinkgothic]

Originally Posted by Jeysie

Dude, people have been inventing half-baked ideas to think they're superior than others ever since men came out of the trees, looked around before clothing was invented, and said "Me pee stick bigger you pee stick."

I think that's a candidate for the quote thread, I haven't laughed that hard in a while! Being an elitist pig myself, I'm going to adopt that. Hush now, I know I'm female. Maybe it'll add to the humour.