Comments on: J’Accuse IQs

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 06:53:50 +0000

I was a member of Mensa for ten years. I never encountered the behaviors you describe.

By: Assistant Village Idiot

Assistant Village Idiot — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:44:49 +0000

IQ does measure a real g-factor of intelligence, in the sense of raw brain power. I liken it to height in basketball: it’s an advantage, everyone would like a little more, but the tallest players are not always the best players. As william jonas notes, other skills come into play which are often more important.

The myth that people of medium-high-IQ, like Mensa members, are any more likely to be incompetent at daily tasks is envious nonsense. There is certainly some social dysfunction at the highest levels because of the increased number of Asperger-y folks, but even that is oversold.

As to the arrogance of Mensa members, its commonness has certainly been noted by others, though it is hardly universal.

By: Pat Berry

Pat Berry — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:32:02 +0000

IQ tests don’t measure “intelligence” (whatever that is). They measure IQ. What’s IQ? It’s a number that indicates your ability to score high on IQ tests.

And “intelligence” is not a measure of human worth. The world is full of people who are good at Jeopardy or calculus or astronomy, but who can’t change a tire, grow tomatoes, or maintain a successful relationship.

Historically, whenever a country has decided to put the intellectuals in charge, the result has been a bloodbath. That tells me all I need to know about the value of Mensa.

By: Tolbert

Tolbert — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 23:09:12 +0000

Singular proof that I.Q. is not all that it’s made out to be…

James Earl Carter.

Nuff said!

By: william jonas

william jonas — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:54:11 +0000

Perhaps intelligence is a useful chahacteristic and desirable to some extent. However from my perspective it is way down the list.A normal IQ seems to serve most of us nicely but some traits are very important and receive little praise. Loyalty and obedience are of great value and often the rarest qualities one finds in our kind. Most employers would admit that their best people are loyal and obedient. The result of loyalty is dependability and that is something to be praised.
Another trait of importance is persistence . Of course this can cut both ways but in a positive application it is a powerful thing.
Witness bees and ants and other creatures with this driving force.
The most important I would think is a keen sense of truth. This takes some time and practise to develop, but when it reaches fruition it becomes a thing called wisdom.
We don’t value wisdom much anymore. It can be easily overwhelmed by noise, mass denial and ridicule. All manifestations easily generated in our modern communicating society. We value “smart people”. Those nimble souls with the assets to bend or deflect truth,or to twist it to their liking,
Nope. IQ isn’t really all its cracked up to be.

By: Manuel Delgado

Manuel Delgado — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 12:27:12 +0000

Being a Spanish Mensa member, I have to say things are not the same over here. The Spanish Mensa’s meetings are all but boring, and we do not have that sense of superiority. Maybe you mixed with the wrong people.

Using your own words, just as IQ is not valid for evaluating a person’s worth, it makes just as much sense as asserting that Mensa members lack their sense of humour and their humility.