HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Dorky Yellow Map Pin (was Re: Being ashamed of being in Mensa)
Date: 14 Aug 92 16:53:44 GMT

In article <1992Aug14.025919.4560@engage.pko.dec.com>, moroney@ramblr.enet.dec.com writes:
> 
> In article 17212@caeco.mentorg.com, randall@riffraff.slc.mentorg.com (Randall S. Krebs) writes:
> >
> >Now, just what the hell is this?  I send in my 39 bucks and I get
> >a letter welcoming me to the organization, an official membership
> >card, and a DORKY YELLOW MAP PIN to be worn on the lapel?!!  Has
> >it always been this way?  Do all of you card-carrying M's know where
> >your DORKY YELLOW MAP PINs are?  Maybe one of you old-timers can
> >fill me in on this issue.  There's got to be a great story behind
> >it somewhere.
> 
> Reading this string I was wondering what this DORKY YELLOW MAP PIN was.
> I expected something like a tie tack intended for the lapel with the Mensa
> logo for some reason.  Now that I just got mine and I see it really is a
> DORKY YELLOW MAP PIN I can see as a previous note pointed out it wasn't
> intended to be worn, anyone who actually wears it needs to be retested.
> Or maybe if you really can apply it to your lapel without stabbing yourself
> you are smart enough to remain a member.

BTW, the Mensa botique sells those tie-tack lapel pins.  You can get them in
genuine gold, or in plastic that looks exactly like gold (but doesn't give
that feeling of indulgence that a gold pin gives--and doesn't give the heart
ache when you lose it that losing a gold pin would give).

Way back in Mensa's early history--before we had that neato logo what we now
have and can fabricate into lapel pins, earrings, and the like--some genius
decided that we needed some sort of recognition symbol.  He happened to have
a bunch of those little yellow map pins lying around, so he gave one to each
of his Mensa buddies, and started the LYMP as the official recognition symbol.
In the 1960s and early 70s, someone was selling yellow plastic balls to
Mensans to put on car antennas so we could recognize each other when passing
on the highways and byways.  I don't know how many people bought them (I 
didn't), but I have never seen one in use.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: j-norstad@nwu.edu (John Norstad)
Subject: Re: Mensa math question
Followup-To: rec.org.mensa
Organization: Northwestern University
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 21:10:49 GMT

In article <14979@claris.com>, mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
wrote:
> 
> In article <1992Aug11.034235.27548@unixg.ubc.ca>, Sundar_Prasad@mtsg.ubc.ca writes:
> > 
> > Hiya all,
> > Our local newspaper (The Vancouver Sun) usually carries one Mensa type
> > question every Saturday (along with an ad. for Mensa). I manage to crack
> > all of them, but the following one stumped me quite badly (appeared on
> > Aug. 8, 1992):
> > 
> > I have an invite to a party. All that I know is the name of the street on
> > which the party house is located. To test me, my friends have given me the
> > number of the  house in this form:
> > The house number has 3 digits. The sum of the first two digits, multiplied
> > by the sum of the last two digits, multiplied by the sum of the first and
> > last digits, all divided by 3 is the same as the house number. Can I find
> > the house?
> > 
> > All I could do was:
> > If the digits are x, y and z, the above condition can be written as:
> > 
> > (x + y)*(y + z)*(x + z) = 3*(100x + 10y + z)
> > 
> > Thats 1 equation in 3 unknowns. The only other conditions I can have is
> > that x   9, and that x, y and z are integers. But that doesn't really
> > help. Any ideas out there (for an elegant solution, not search routines).
> 
> Obviously, the house number is 000.  :-)
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Dorky Yellow Map Pin (wa
Date: 20 Aug 92 17:22:11 GMT

In article <714272423.F00007@blkcat.UUCP>, Dave.Aronson@f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson) writes:
> 
> mike_steiner@qm.claris.com writes:
> 
> MS> In the 1960s and early 70s, someone was selling yellow plastic balls to
> MS> Mensans to put on car antennas so we could recognize each other when
> passing
> MS> on the highways and byways.  I don't know how many people bought them (I
> MS> didn't), but I have never seen one in use.
> 
> So all those utility vehicles with tennis balls on their antennae are driven
> by Mensans?  Wow, THAT's a surprise!

Not tennis balls, Dave; plastic ones, about half to a third the diameter of
a tennis ball.

Sheesh--send a guy on a business trip or to Pensic (or wherever you were),
and he comes back funkshunnally illitirit.
From: shapiro@trade.enet.dec.com (Steve Shapiro)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Dorky Yellow Map Pin (was Re: Being ashamed of being in Mensa)
Date: 12 Aug 92 13:31:45 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation - Marlboro, MA
Organisation: SKS Computer Consulting, Inc.


In article <1992Aug8.003322.17212@caeco.mentorg.com>,
randall@riffraff.slc.mentorg.com (Randall S. Krebs) writes...

>card, and a DORKY YELLOW MAP PIN to be worn on the lapel?!!  Has
>it always been this way?  Do all of you card-carrying M's know where
>your DORKY YELLOW MAP PINs are?

I got mine 10 years ago and I still know where it is.

Regards,
Steve.

/*********************************************************************
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Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: sonic@artgate.cray.com (Curtis Swanson)
Subject: Re: Being ashamed of being in Mensa
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.
Date: 12 Aug 92 16:02:00 CDT


In article <DiFDPB5w165w@iowegia.uucp>, quest@iowegia.uucp (Steve J. Quest) writes:
> orr@newton.mcs.gvsu.edu (Wes Orr {Academic Computing}) writes:
> > Have you thought of using words that are more readily known?  Not everyone
> > was blessed with the education nor the exposure to words not known
> > to most.  Often I try to use simpler words that have nearly the same
> > meaning.  This is much easier than explaining words like obfuscate or
> > obligatory, etc.
> > 
> > Wes
> > -- 
> > Wes Orr, Dude
> > GVSU
> > orr@newton.mcs.gvsu.edu           I love Bugs Bunny!
> > --------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Wes,
> 
>         Many know me, and know when I am playing down to them- 
> this is met equally well.  ;)    My vocabulary is a direct result 
> of my interests.  My interests pulled me into high technology, the 
> manuals of high tech demand a thurough understanding of both the 
> english language, as well as many old world languages such as 
> greek and latin.  I try NOT to come off as an elitist in my 
> conversation, but sometimes I just can not express myself any 
> other way.
> 

One of the things I found really hard to do when I was in tech school was 
helping my friends through the class.  I had a distinct advantage since 
I had studied electronics for 9 years before going to school and it was 
very difficult at times to explain some concepts without talking down to
people.  I really respect the abilities of a good teacher who can explain
a concept to a multitude of students from various backgrounds without ever
talking down to them. 

>         I guess I am a challenge in an unchallenging world....sq

With a challenge to learn to communicate better, if you so desire.
 
--
***  Curt Swanson  ***  sonic@romulus.cray.com  ***  IOTTMCO  *********
HOME:n - That mythical place where you can go and relax.......
I'd rather be in a coma.........
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: rhs@world.std.com (Richard H Schwartz)
Subject: Re: Mensa math question
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 22:39:44 GMT

schroeder@rapnet.sanders.lockheed.com (Mike Schroeder) writes:

>Even if you supposed that someone would number a house "0", who would number
>it "000"?  Is house number 0042 different than house 42?

Some athletes have worn "00" on their uniforms.  So why not houses?

>Perhaps they forgot to include smilies when they suggested 000?? :-)

:-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-)

-rich
-- 
             Richard H. Schwartz, Scheduling Systems Inc.,
            1000 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA  02138
                  (617) 864 8330; FAX (617) 864 8377
                          rhs@world.std.com
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: hollombe@polymath.tti.com (The Polymath)
Subject: Re: maladjusted genius-dorks
Organization: The Cat Factory
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 19:00:41 GMT

In article <920814011556.24a0dbd7@VTCC1.CC.VT.EDU> OCONNELLWR@VTCC1.CC.VT.EDU writes:

}{humor on}
}... Guess my plan of
}a better social scene through alcohold-induced-brain-damage will fail. ...

Not all that humorous.  I had a friend once who was making a sincere
effort to put such a plan into action.  When I last saw her, she had
succeeded in turning herself in to an alcoholic and cocaine addict, but
was still very intelligent in her lucid moments.  A very sad case.

The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, M.A., CDP, aka: hollombe@polymath.tti.com)
Head Robot Wrangler at Citicorp                   Turn the rascals out!
3100 Ocean Park Blvd.   (310) 450-9111, x2483     No incumbents in '92!
Santa Monica, CA  90405
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Student: Teach Thyself
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 16:00:42 -0500

  RW> I wrote the following as part of a discussion carried out in our local
  RW> newspaper.  Part one was coverage of a school board meeting for a new
  RW> high school.  A pair of students had come to request that the school
  RW> carry an advanced placement program.  Part two was a response from the
  RW> principal and dean of students defending the choice of an ungrouped
  RW> curriculum.  That got my dander up, and resulted in part three, which
  RW> I include below.  In between were a number of shorter letters from
  RW> other members of the community.  I'm posting it here [misc.education]
  RW> partly to satisfy a request from someone I've been having an Email
  RW> discussion with, and partly because I may get appointed to fill a
  RW> vacancy on the school board.  I figure the USENET is a fine place to
  RW> get some sense bashed into me quickly.  Feel free to flame or post
  RW> other tricks for surviving school.

Ric,

I've always admired your work (I say this so as to minimize the impression that
I might not appreciate what you wrote in the message to which I'm responding),
but in this case, I think the best recommendation might be:  shorten it.  Very
few newspapers print a letter that that's long (perhaps you could get them to
print it as an op ed piece?), but even when they do:  very few people are likely
to read it in its entirety.
From: mechalas@gn.ecn.purdue.edu (John P. Mechalas)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Sociable Ms
Date: 20 Aug 92 15:09:54 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network

In article <714272423.F00003@blkcat.UUCP> Dave.Aronson@f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson) writes:
>cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA) writes:
>
>CJD> Anyone who has been to an AG or RG
>CJD> will attest to the fact that most Mensans are anything but unsociable.
>
>Unless "most Mensans" attend AGs or RGs, this is not a valid conclusion, as
>the sample space is pre-selected for the more sociable subset of Mensans.

What one can say, however, is that Mensa is large and diverse; so much so that
to make *any* generalizations like "most Mensans" and "all Mensans" is 
inaccurate and unfair.

-- 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
|   John Mechalas      |   Send all fan mail to: mechalas@gn.ecn.purdue.edu   |
|   Purdue University  |   Send all hate mail to: someone else                |
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Who needs Geniuses?
From: <ECOKXP@BYUVM.BITNET>
Date: Friday, 14 Aug 1992 17:25:05 MDT
Organization: Brigham Young University

Question:
        A: You have to guess the age of my daughters.
        B:O.K.
        A:I will give you one item of info at a time until you have enough
                info .
        B:Shoot.
        A:I have 3 daughters.
        B:Not enough.
        A:The sum of their ages is 13.
        B:Not enough.
        A:The product of their ages is equal to my house #.
        (B knows the house # . We don't .)
        B: Still not enough.
        A: My eldest daughter has blue eyes.
        B: O.K. now I can tell their ages.
What are the ages of the daughters and the house#?
ENJOY!!!!

MY GUESS IS AGES 2, 2, 9 FOR A HOUSE NUMBER OF 36
ANY OTHER COMBINATION OF INTEGERS THAT ADD UP TO 13 HAS A
UNIQUE PRODUCT, WHILE 36 COULD BE 2X2X9 OR 1X6X6.  THUS, THE
NEED FOR THE THIRD BIT OF INFORMATION.

SOUND OK?
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: Dorky Yellow Map Pin (was Re: Being ashamed of being in Mensa)
Organization: AT&T
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 15:57:02 GMT

In article <199208140356.AA07440@admin.keh.utulsa.edu> sya@admin.keh.utulsa.edu (Syed Shibli) writes:
>
>  Perhaps the discussion should center around why the Dorky Yellow Map 
>  Pin is yellow. I've seen red pins, and blue pins, and black pins, but
[....]
>  green forests. Green means Go! at a traffic stop, so you wouldn't have 
>  to wait anymore. Your Boss gives you the green light to implement your
>  new marketing strategy. Most vegetables are green, and you know how
>  good vegetables are for you. Mensans can all wear their Dorky Green
>  Map Pins with pride. But why then does it have to be yellow?
>
Yellow means "caution".  See, the other end is real pointy.

GMS
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: AG Hotel sites
Date: 14 Aug 92 18:15:48 GMT
Distribution: usa

New England (three local groups working together) has put in the only bid so
far for the 1994 Annual Gathering.  The hotel selected is a Hyatt.  There is
an ongoing discussion on Compuserve among some members of the AMC and the
people on the AG committee.

One AMC member said that he very much disfavors this bid because of the bad
experiences with Hyatt hotels at the most two recent AGs.  Other AMC members
and (of course) the AG committee members say that each hotel is different,
and the problems with Kansas City and San Francisco do not mean that we will
have problems with the Cambridge hotel.  One person wrote that the problems
in San Francisco were not with the hotel, but were elsewhere.

So, what do you all thing about this?  If the 1994 AG were to be at a Hyatt,
would that keep you from going?
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: schroeder@rapnet.sanders.lockheed.com (Mike Schroeder)
Subject: Re: Mensa math question
Organization: Lockheed Sanders, Inc.
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 92 14:57:48 GMT

I don't believe that 000 is a reasonable answer to the original puzzle.

It solves the equation presented as a beginning to solving the puzzle, but it
doesn't fit the stated requirement that the number is a "house number."

Even if you supposed that someone would number a house "0", who would number
it "000"?  Is house number 0042 different than house 42?
I contend that leading zeros cannot be reasonably included in
a "house number", and therefore, 000 is not a solution to the puzzle.
( as opposed to a solution to the equation. )

Perhaps they forgot to include smilies when they suggested 000?? :-)

-- 
Mike Schroeder                         schroeder@nhqvax.sanders.lockheed.com
Lockheed Information Technology Company - At Lockheed Sanders
Nashua, NH                             "I wish I'd been born rich and homely
A VAX is a VAX is a VAX\XAV\ALPHA       instead of poor and good looking."
From: schin@acs.bu.edu (neil schier)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Prestigious (intellectually) high schools
Date: 18 Aug 92 23:10:07 GMT
Organization: Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
Originator: schin@acs.bu.edu

Is anyone out there, like myself, the product, of a so-called "prestigious"
(on the basis of intelligence) high school. Well I did not graduate, it was
a parochial school and I just couldn't take it anymore.

Regards
NEil Schier
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com (Mark Johnson)
Subject: Re: A question of conscience? (Was: Why does a person join mensa?)
Reply-To: johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com
Organization: Motorola Wireless Enterprises, Schaumburg, IL
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 14:03:50 GMT
Keywords: Mensa characteristics

In article <BssKJ4.59s@world.std.com>, rhs@world.std.com (Richard H Schwartz) writes:
=)radams@crchh404.BNR.CA (Rodney Adams) writes:
=)
=)>Standardized test scores are usually required on academic applications,
=)>but for some reason my conscience will not allow me to include such scores
=)>on a job application or resume.  Perhaps I predict a negative perception 
...
=)>scores.  Does anyone feel comfortable with including such scores on a 
=)>resume?  It just seems rather strange that I can present basically the
=)Sure.  Why not?  As I am out of school longer, the employment section of
=)my resume grows, and in the interests of brevity the scholastic secion

I'll put out a dissenting opinion on this one.  In my experience, people
in the business world are more concerned with what you've done to prove
yourself rather than your raw capabilities.  A school considering you for
admission is concerned with your potential; an employer is concerned with
your performance.  Most employers realize, as has been pointed out here,
that an appropriate modicum of intelligence is a necessary but not
sufficient condition for success, and will be reflected in other
information.

A prospective employer will be more impressed with your GPA than with your
IQ or SAT scores.  As you're out of school longer, your GPA generally
falls off of your resume to make room for work experience, which is even
more relevant.  Test scores show capability, grades show capability and
education, and work experience shows capability, education, and positive
action.

Emphasizing test scores tends to give the reader the impression that you
don't really have any significant accomplishments and are thus reduced
to citing scores to impress people.  However, I include Mensa membership
in the "activities/hobbies" section.  I don't know if it's ever done any
good or harm.
-- 
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  "Johnson"                              | "                               " |
|  johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com |               -- Marcel Marceau   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Disclaimer:  It's just my Tourette's Syndrome acting up again.             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
From: aaronf@cse.ucsc.edu (Aaron T. Ferrucci)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Mensa math question (part way there)
Date: 13 Aug 92 18:31:37 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: University of California, Santa Cruz (CE/CIS Boards)
NNTP-Posting-Host: arapaho.ucsc.edu


 In article <1992Aug13.174421.15153@fcom.cc.utah.edu> you write:
 > ... (stuff deleted)
 >
 >3) x + y + z > 9.  Since N is a 3-digit number, S > 300.  Since the maximum
 > ... (stuff deleted)
 >>
 >>Sundar
 >

This is contradicted by the solution 000.
-Aaron
Xref: sparky rec.org.mensa:6236 rec.humor:26117
From: blayda@acsu.buffalo.edu (Danger)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa,rec.humor
Subject: Bad Joke
Date: 14 Aug 92 20:24:47 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: UB


What are the chances of getting Mensa to support
The Libertarian Party?

-- 
************************************************************************
Thaddeus Krag Blayda blayda@acsu.buffalo.edu, v063j3h4@ubvms.buffalo.edu
# Caution : DANGER #  This Country is at critical mass.
Vote Libertarian in '92!  Vote Marrou/Lord!  Vote to have your freedom back.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: ehp@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU ("Didi Pancake")
Subject: Re: AG Hotel sites
Organization: University of Virginia
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 21:04:01 GMT

In article <15017@claris.com> mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner) writes:
>
>So, what do you all thing about this?  If the 1994 AG were to be at a Hyatt,
>would that keep you from going?


Count me in...I would certainly attend and would (as I always do) expect
a trouble-free experience. Having dealt with hotels about G's and other
kinds of meetings pretty frequently over my adult life, I can attest that
each hotel in a chain is different...one major factor in any hotel is the
individuals involved on both sides of the negotiations...how much
experience, understanding, and good will they have, and whether they
actually follow through on agreements (and/or keep checking and don't
assume that one casual discussion will take care of things). Actually,
from what I've seen, that last ellipsis would explain probably 90% of all
problems I've ever seen at any kind of gathering or conference.

AMC should have enough collective experience to realize the above. On the
other hand, the contract would need to be REALLY specific about a lot of
things that will probably contradict the Hyatt chain's SOP. 

Attention to detail will win out over hoping for the best every time!

--
|  Didi Pancake         |     "How do you kill mud?"                     |
|  ehp@virginia.edu     |           --Dean Jagger in "X the Unknown"     |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  All the usual disclaimers about the origins of these opinions apply.  |
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: AG Hotel sites
Date: 17 Aug 92 17:40:28 GMT
Distribution: usa

In article <BszwuD.ADF@world.std.com>, rhs@world.std.com (Richard H Schwartz) writes:
> 
> mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner) writes:
> 
> >So, what do you all thing about this?  If the 1994 AG were to be at a Hyatt,
> >would that keep you from going?
> 
> I know the organizers, and they are drawing on the talents of people in
> multiple local groups (CT, MA, and NH) to put it all together.  I'll be
> heavily involved myself, though I am not now, but I suppose that means
> I'm biased.  
> 
> Anyhow, I've got full confidence in the organizers' ability to anticipate
> problems and mobilize people to get them fixed in advance.  The overall
> high quality of our RGs in New England is good evidence of this, and
> the commitment of a large number of us to go to this year's and next
> year's AGs to observe, learn and promote is better yet.

Did Pancake also concurred.  I do too.  FWIW, few, if any, of the problems
with the San Francisco AG had anything to do with the hotel.
From: nielsen@crd.ge.com (Dr. Paul E. Nielsen)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Mensa math question
Date: 13 Aug 92 18:50:40 GMT
	<1992Aug12.102018.17870@cs.mcgill.ca> <zlsiida.72@fs1.mcc.ac.uk>
Organization: GE Research, Schenectady NY


Well you've already found 000, after checking that address try 676 and see
if you hear party noises from outside.

PN
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa