My local Mensa hosts a lot of fun events, the cost is minimal, and it replaces a social vacuum left by religious activities for me. A wide variety of people, most very nice, almost all pretty interesting. Also a pretty insular group of folks that doesn’t really ruffle any feathers, so I’ve always been a little unsure why Mensa gets such hate online.
Don’t most special interest clubs have some sort of barrier to entry? Is Mensa different because IQ tests are a touchy subject that has been used incorrectly by bad actors? I can promise you that there is no illusion of superiority amongst the mensans I’ve met, we’re all pretty on board with “we’re just good at the things that IQ tests measure” and if anything it just helps a lot of us apply some additional context and understanding to oftentimes difficult childhood memories. Just my two cents from the other side!
tbf, i paid for an IQ test because i needed the results to prove i’m capable of understanding my own gender in court. Pretty whack but i heard recently the laws in my country changed so i hope younger trans people won’t have to go through that humiliation
The moment you pay for an IQ test - you failed it
I think the same thing applies to Mensa. If you’re paying to join the “smart people club”, how smart are you really?
My local Mensa hosts a lot of fun events, the cost is minimal, and it replaces a social vacuum left by religious activities for me. A wide variety of people, most very nice, almost all pretty interesting. Also a pretty insular group of folks that doesn’t really ruffle any feathers, so I’ve always been a little unsure why Mensa gets such hate online.
Because it gives off a bit of an elitist vibe to require an IQ test for entry.
Don’t most special interest clubs have some sort of barrier to entry? Is Mensa different because IQ tests are a touchy subject that has been used incorrectly by bad actors? I can promise you that there is no illusion of superiority amongst the mensans I’ve met, we’re all pretty on board with “we’re just good at the things that IQ tests measure” and if anything it just helps a lot of us apply some additional context and understanding to oftentimes difficult childhood memories. Just my two cents from the other side!
“I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.”
— Groucho
tbf, i paid for an IQ test because i needed the results to prove i’m capable of understanding my own gender in court. Pretty whack but i heard recently the laws in my country changed so i hope younger trans people won’t have to go through that humiliation