HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: apb@world.std.com (Al Beecy)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Membership Renewal ??
Date: 26 Jan 93 21:47:56 GMT
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA

In article <C1HCGD.2y3@world.std.com> jcooley@world.std.com (John Cooley) writes:
>
>they're quite successful.  (My own local group, Boston Mensa, was toying
>with the idea of making our Cape Cod Mini-RG into a murder mystery weekend
>but that's up in the air right now.  It probably won't happen, though, because
>we have a long standing tradition of that RG *not* having a theme to make
>it fun just to get together and do whatever comes up.)

Damm straight! If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

-Al, the Opinionated
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: hollombe@polymath.tti.com (The Polymath)
Subject: Re: The origin of `Mensa'.  A typo?
Organization: The Cat Factory
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 00:27:34 GMT

In article <1993Jan21.061214.2035@linus.mitre.org> crawford@boole.mitre.org (Randy Crawford) writes:
}
}It's been said many times that `mensa' is latin for table and alludes to 
}round table discussions as exemplifying the conversational nature of 
}bright people.  Or something vague like that.

[ ... ]

}It seems more likely to me that Mensa began as `mens', the latin word for 
}mind or intellect.  Then the Brits who dreamed up Mensa in the first place
}probably said, "Hmm.  The name seems kind of obvious, since nearly every
}educated Briton knows that `mens' means `intellect'.  So let's add an `a' 
}to mens so it's not as intuitive, and call ourselves Mensa.  And since we've
}named ourselves after a table for no apparent reason, we need to concoct an 
}explanation which sounds acceptably eccentric by british standards and could 
}convince a lot of bright people of its plausibility.  Yeah.  That'll work.'
}
}What do you think?

There's many a truth spoken in jest.  You're actually not far off the
mark.

Mensa was originally going to be named Mens.  The unfortunate sexual
connotations of that word were objected to, so it was changed to Mensa.

The Mensa table (which, ironically, is square in our logo) represents the
round table nature of the organization, wherein all members are considered
to be equals.

The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, M.A., CDP, aka: hollombe@polymath.tti.com)
Head Robot Wrangler at Citicorp                "If you can't stand solitude,
3100 Ocean Park Blvd.   (310) 450-9111, x2483  perhaps others find you boring
Santa Monica, CA  90405                        as well."  -- Mark Twain
From: jcooley@miracle.com (John Cooley)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Membership Renewal ??
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 93 00:58:05 EDT
Organization: Miracle Computer Consultants

apb@world.std.com (Al Beecy) writes:
>shapiro@cfsctc.enet.dec.com (Steve Shapiro) writes:
>>
>>So, another thing which I would do is have more "new member" oriented parties
>>or events.
>
>These haven't traditionally been high attendence events in our group but,
>if you're willing to host one, I'm sure the excom will be more than happy
>to help out. Our next meeting is January 27th. 


 Steve, I wish to cordially invite you to attend our next ExCom meeting
 this next Wednesday to volunteer to become the Loss Prevention Officer
 of Boston Mensa.  I know it's much easier to criticize than to actually
 get something done, but you're a smart guy -- you should be able to handle
 the challenge!  Seriously, please consider taking this job.  If we're doing
 something wrong in the local group, I want to know about it and to appoint
 someone who feels strongly about the issue to solve the problem.

                                                   - John

 ==========================================================================
       John Cooley              Zappa as a waste management engineer: 
                                  "Hey, there, Brother!  Whatcha
    jcooley@miracle.com            doing with that Cosmic Debris?"  

Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: S106495@UMRVMA.umr.edu
Subject: Intelligence etc. (was athiesm and intelligence)
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 22:51:29 GMT
Organization: Univ of MO - Rolla

   I never meant to say that Neural nets were a substitute for thinking.  I
meant that neural nets and other nonconventional forms of "problem solving" can
 create good answers under certain conditions.  These conditions could be
focusing a camera, or more standard problems that people solve, or even
problems that we haven't invented yet.  Without fully understanding the problem
, (and thus knowing the answer) there is no way to say any given method will
work.  It is a matter of limits in resources, usually, when deciding how many
methods to use to solve a problem.  In most everyday circumstances, we don't
have the resources to use anything but habit, because the consequences are
small.
   Neural networks, GA's etc are probably only the "primitive" beginnings
of computer softwares and AI's that we won't be able to judge fully until they
actually exist.  Maybe they will never be as good as humans, maybe they will be
 a thousand times as powerful as any human mind.

 What is important about humans, I hope, is not simply their ability to use
logic and do science.
   -Mike B.
PS: if a computer did act like a human mind, would it make the human mind
obsolete or just prove that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: apb@world.std.com (Al Beecy)
Subject: Re: Budget cuts
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 05:32:53 GMT

In article <27Jan93153655@miracle.com> jcooley@miracle.com (John Cooley) writes:

>goes either to National or International Mensa.  Cutting AMC & the like's
>all expense paid trips to IG's perhaps is a good start to saving some
>money.

According to Jean Cooper, the AMC Secretary, they only had their
registrations reimbursed and only one non-nat-rep took advantage of the offer.

-Al
From: clong@remus.rutgers.edu (Chris Long)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Quest Test
Date: 27 Jan 93 06:28:31 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.


Did anyone else do this and mail it in before the January 8th
deadline?  What did everyone think of it?
-- 
Chris Long, 265 Old York Rd., Bridgewater, NJ 08807-2618

Score: 0, Diff: 1, clong killed by a Harvard Math Team on  1
From: nick@nord.tostit.ca (Nicholas Xavier Tai)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: t: t: t: Blasphemy?
Keywords: get a clue dude...
Date: 26 Jan 93 13:59:35 GMT
Reply-To: nick@nord.tostit.ca (Nicholas Xavier Tai)
Organization: Tostit Northern Associates, Calgary, AB


>In article <C1G541.DBJ@world.std.com> moroney@world.std.com
>(Michael Moroney) writes:
>>scott@nord.tostit.ca (Scott Andrew Tai) writes:
>>We are making progress today, "Scott".  Or should I call you
>>Robin?  Perhaps
>>Ed?  The first step is acceptance of your problem, and today you
>>have
>>accepted that two of your personalities are really one.
>>
>>> Sorry though -- am *not* 
>>>Rimmer, Arnold J., as you would have me be.)
>>
>>Oh dear, now we're backsliding.  You must accept the fact you are
>>only
>
>Mike, and anyone else who may be thinking this is just an amusing
>exercise, I have to remind you of the very real possibility that
>this person is dealing with a real crisis.  I suggest you let them
>deal with it on their own, and leave the situation be.
>
>GMS

How can you possibly say those things about us...
We are not having a crisis!  Let me let you in on
a little secret.  Scott Tai couldn't possibly be
one person.   And all the personalities you have linked
him to, do you think all of them are Tai's.  No one except 
Mike Steiner could possibly have that much free time.  Well, its 
time the truth came out... I am one of Tai's cohorts in real life.
I helped him created many of the different characters and address
and much of the software that Tai uses.  So, I present myself before
the forum as a seperate identity, under the guise of one Nicholas Xavier
Tai,  you may call me Nick.  I was tired of Scott getting all the 
credit for what he was doing.  It's time I got some.  

From this day forward there is no longer just one Tai.  There is Scott Tai,
we will call him my third cousin, and me, Nick Tai.  Now for the
fun part.  You have to guess which one of is responsible for what.
This is going to be fun.  I finally get out of the shadows and into the
limelight. Heheheh.


					Respectfully yours,

					Nick Tai
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: moroney@world.std.com (Michael Moroney)
Subject: Re: Blasphemy?
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 01:09:02 GMT

ajr@holly.massima.com (Arnold J Rimmer) writes:

>In article <1993Jan23.195123.21072@cbnewse.cb.att.com> gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes:

>>You have to admit, however, that it is fairly rare that an individual is
>>able to make himself a virtual pariah to an entire newsgroup, as well as
>>to individuals on both sides of virtually every issue.

Not all that rare.  I've seen several others get themselves equally reviled on
many other groups.


>>  And I personally
>>find it absolutely hilarious that someone would engage non-stop in rude
>>behavior, then whine about being ignored, then stoop to begging, and then
>>rationalize being a "victim".  And all in different names.  I swear, it's

Yes, it is amusing.  But unless "Scott" is deliberately trying to humor
us, he is still a coward.


>In fact, I am going to research all the
>available posts and come up with ratios and results comparing flamage to
>actual Mensa group information just to see what the results would be.  I will
>post my findings later on in the week.  Until then...


Yeah right, "Scott".  You are going to "research" all the posts and
flamage.  The only thing you are going to "research" is another dozen aliases
to post under.

-Mike
From: skh4161@mvs.draper.com (Kjeld Hvatum)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: My final word (Was Re:  Jealousy (from the pages....))
Date: 28 Jan 93 02:39:00 GMT
Organization: Draper Laboratory


>From: kumar yelubandi <kumar@ug.cs.dal.ca>
>Message-ID: <C1JL7o.CMw@cs.dal.ca>
>...
>        exist' to finite mathematics?  The context of the debate
>        should have made it clear that to most non-Mensans (and I'm
>        pretty sure about this but you will tell me otherwise),
>        quantifying intelligence is a foolish waste of time.

Maybe so, but I seem to recall that National Merit Scholarship
Semifinalists are chosen by exactly this method, and they seem
to be accorded a bit of recognition.  Each year, about 15,000
students earn NMS Semifinalist status solely on the basis of
their PSAT scores, using a weighting of verbal and math that
makes the Selection Index virtually an IQ.

I might also add that there appears to be a tendency for a larger
percentage of higher scorers (thought their total numbers are
much smaller) to sign up with HIQ clubs.

On the other hand, it's worth noting that the Guinness Book of World
Records dropped the "Highest IQ" category several years ago.  Their
reason, stated in a private letter to some people in the high IQ clubs
who provided the Guinness people with information, was the invidiousness
of implying the entry names the world's most intelligent person.  It
goes on to say, "unlike the process of putting someone on a racetrack
against a stopwatch, there are many different types of test, and we are
talking about such minute differences between individuals that I feel we
could not be considered to be making valid comparisons....[we are] not
in a position to monitor the highest I.Q."

But, again, that doesn't stop the NMSQT from picking 15,000 students for
high honors using a selection method exactly like Mensa's, at
approximately the Mensa cutoff level.  Of course, a lot of the
losers, and some of the NMS winners, think it's a joke too.  But the
scholarship money is real, and high schools and colleges like to crow
about how many National Merit Scholars they've produced or accepted.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: eager@eagercon.com (Michael J. Eager)
Subject: Re: t: A newcomer...
Reply-To: eager@eagercon.com
Organization: Eager Consulting
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 05:50:06 GMT

In article 172342@tostit.ca, scott@nord.tostit.ca (Scott Andrew Tai) writes:
>
>gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes:
>> 
>> It seems fairly obvious that Tai does quite a bit of archiving, 
>> considering how much of previous articles appeared in his last 
>> post.  Might just as well start alt.tai.talking.to.himself.
>
>No dude -- I don't archive articles (except ecsd's); the 
>sarcastic *tone* of my articles is what you remember, not the 
>*words* -- they're new.  What's *not* new are your *lame*
>excuses -- *you* seem to resort to "oh pooh, you're just 
>repeating yourself" whenever *I* make a valid point.  And you 
>*know* it...  


Has your keyboard gotten stuck in emphasis mode?  If you read the old
Tai posts, you won't find this flurry of asterisks.


>
>--
>Scott Andrew Tai
>Tostit Northern Associates
>Artificial Intelligence Systems


Say, radler, could you turn the S.A.T. alias back over to the previous
folks.  I was corresponding with whoever had an account on nyx.cs.du.edu.
This person was much more interesting.

Better yet, why don't you use your own account, rather than spoof this
one.  One might suggest that you fit your own description: "a *fucking coward* 
and no bigger than a *gnat's ass*".   


---
Michael J. Eager		Michael.Eager@eagercon.com
Eager Consulting		(415) 325-8077 
1960 Park Boulevard, Palo Alto, CA 94306-1141

Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: t: t: Blasphemy?
Organization: AT&T
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 17:30:41 GMT

In article <C1G541.DBJ@world.std.com> moroney@world.std.com (Michael Moroney) writes:
>scott@nord.tostit.ca (Scott Andrew Tai) writes:
>We are making progress today, "Scott".  Or should I call you Robin?  Perhaps
>Ed?  The first step is acceptance of your problem, and today you have
>accepted that two of your personalities are really one.
>
>> Sorry though -- am *not* 
>>Rimmer, Arnold J., as you would have me be.)
>
>Oh dear, now we're backsliding.  You must accept the fact you are only

Mike, and anyone else who may be thinking this is just an amusing
exercise, I have to remind you of the very real possibility that
this person is dealing with a real crisis.  I suggest you let them
deal with it on their own, and leave the situation be.

GMS
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: Blasphemy?
Organization: AT&T
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 19:51:23 GMT

In article <C1BI81.215@world.std.com> moroney@world.std.com (Michael Moroney) writes:
>159muehlberg@gw.wmich.edu writes:
>
>>Help!  Who is Scott Tai? (this may be sacrilege, this may be humor....)
>
>A coward, too chicken to post his criticisms under his/her/its real name,
>posting under a variety of aliases instead.  Scott Tai, Dr. N O Tai,
>Robin Adler-Pope are some of them.

You have to admit, however, that it is fairly rare that an individual is
able to make himself a virtual pariah to an entire newsgroup, as well as
to individuals on both sides of virtually every issue.  And I personally
find it absolutely hilarious that someone would engage non-stop in rude
behavior, then whine about being ignored, then stoop to begging, and then
rationalize being a "victim".  And all in different names.  I swear, it's
like watching Anthony Hopkins in "Magic", only it's not a movie.  I
believe an explosion is about to happen, so don't say I didn't warn you.
I'd hate to be the person's roommate about now.

Whenever I think there's nothing left in human behavior to surprise me,
something like this pops up.  There must be a God -- with a real
sense of humor.

GM("Always a Reason to Smile")S
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: cookc@aix.rpi.edu (rocker)
Subject: Re: From the pages of Omni...
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 08:30:17 GMT

mukesh@HQ.Ileaf.COM (Mukesh Prasad) writes:

>Talk of over protected and spoiled :-)  Here in the US, highly
>intelligent students are taken out of their classes and
>put together in G&T classes.  

No, not always.  In the fifth grade, I was part of a pilot gifted program,
and fifth was the highest grade they were taking.  The next year, they
extended the program to sixth grade, with warm assurances that the special
education would continue through our high school years.  Also note that
when the program was well-funded, we still only went to gifted school
two days a week.

Guess what?  My junior high school didn't feel like implementing a
gifted program, so I was left out cold.  My high school, with 4000
students in 3 grades, running two school shifts (some went to school
7-12, the rest 12-5pm), simply laughed at the idea of special treatment
for anyone.

When school districts run short on funds, what's the first thing to
be cut?  Sports?  Extracurricular activities?  No, gifted and talented
programs, becuase they figure that no one will get very upset that
the "smart kids" aren't getting "special treatment" anymore.  Hey, if
they're so smart they can fend for themselves, right?

>In other places, they
>have to sit and daydream until the teacher gets past
>explaining every little concept to the rest of the
>class.  The problem, of course, is that the daydream
>may turn out to be more interesting than the teacher...
>and usually does.  So in the end, you are left to books
>and your own devices.

Happens in many (most?) schools here, too.

Which helps explain why I'm a high school dropout with two college
degrees.   :-)

                        -rocker
From: shapiro@cfsctc.enet.dec.com (Steve Shapiro)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Membership Renewal ??
Date: 25 Jan 93 15:23:28 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation - Marlboro, MA
Organisation: SKS Computer Consulting, Inc.


In article <22Jan93004534@miracle.com>, jcooley@miracle.com (John Cooley)
writes...

>Stop your whining for all the world to read and go to some God damned Mensa
>meetings!  

Sure John, make him feel wanted.

Regards,
Steve.

/*******************************************************************
* Steve Shapiro                 * All views and opinions expressed *
* SKS Computer Consulting, Inc. * are my own and are offered as-is *
********************************************************************
* Steve.Shapiro@f440.n101.z1.fidonet.org  BBS: (508) 664-6354 N81  *
*******************************************************************/
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: eager@eagercon.com (Michael J. Eager)
Subject: Re: Jealousy (from the pages of omni....)
Reply-To: eager@eagercon.com
Organization: Eager Consulting
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 09:59:22 GMT

In article GyA@cs.dal.ca, kumar@ug.cs.dal.ca (kumar yelubandi) writes:
>		Kumar
>
>ps:	I'm really not this cruel %99.99994 of the time...however, I have a low
>	tolerance for elitists and those that ride the intellectual ferris wheel.

Don't credit your self with being cruel.  All you appear to be is obscure.

---
Michael J. Eager		Michael.Eager@eagercon.com
Eager Consulting		(415) 325-8077 
1960 Park Boulevard, Palo Alto, CA 94306-1141

Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA)
Subject: Re: Jealousy (from the pages of omni....)
Originator: cjdcosta@c00478-224wi.eos.ncsu.edu
Reply-To: cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA)
Organization: North Carolina State University, Project Eos
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 05:00:31 GMT


In article FGq@cs.dal.ca, kumar@ug.cs.dal.ca (kumar yelubandi) writes:
>
>       [...]
>	Of course, the MENSAn who owns the upper limit may be FAR
>	above non-MENSAns in terms of some 'definable intelligence'
>	(if such a thing exists), but the probability of this is 
>	minimal as illustrated by the following arithmetic:
>
>
>	eg.  ...I think it was pointed out earlier there are some
>		100,000 members of MENSA in the US.
>	     ...By MENSA's own requirements, 2% of test-takers 
>	   	are 'acceptable'
>	     ...2% of the US population is roughly 5.5 megs of 
>		people
>	     ...therefore, 0.1 megs of MENSAns and 5.5 megs of
>	  	non-MENSAns meet or could meet the qualifications
>		required by MENSA.
>
>Conclusion:  The probability that the most intelligent
>	     human being is NOT a member of MENSA is far
>	     greater than the probability he/she is.


The "2% of the U.S. population not in Mensa" do not exist as a
distinct group, so you're comparing apples to oranges here. 

One can just as easily observe that the probability of a moon rock 
being on the moon is far greater than the probability of it being
in the Smithsonian. Not very discerning, is it.


>
> (of course, only if such a person exists at all)


Certainly I exist. Furthermore, I'm a Mensan. QED.
From: shapiro@cfsctc.enet.dec.com (Steve Shapiro)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Membership Renewal ??
Date: 21 Jan 93 13:30:35 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation - Marlboro, MA
Organisation: SKS Computer Consulting, Inc.


In article <1993Jan20.084457.119776@marshall.wvnet.edu>,
smith@marshall.wvnet.edu writes...

>As a first year Mensan who is considering the renewal question, I have 
>found this conversation thread quite interesting.

As a 10 year Mensan, who for the first time in his membership was considering
the renewal question (and therefore started this thread), I too have found this
conversation quite interesting. 

The least of which includes being called names such as 'malcontent' and given
the impression that Mensa doesn't want 'my kind' and feels that I am an
'acceptible loss'. 

>I am one of the 
>aforementioned Mensans who does not have time to attend meetings or parties,
>but I do enjoy reading the regional and national newsletters.

Gee, and from the sounds of it in this newsgroup, I would have thought that I
was the only one! 8-)

Regards,
Steve.

/*******************************************************************
* Steve Shapiro                 * All views and opinions expressed *
* SKS Computer Consulting, Inc. * are my own and are offered as-is *
********************************************************************
* Steve.Shapiro@f440.n101.z1.fidonet.org  BBS: (508) 664-6354 N81  *
*******************************************************************/
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: Thanks for helping make up my mind
Organization: AT&T
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 07:41:17 GMT

In article <1993Jan27.213420.2643@odin.corp.sgi.com> pbroenen@northwest.corp.sgi.com (Paul Broenen) writes:
>
>A fellow worker and Mensan had suggested I join Mensa.  I 
>asked other friends of mine who had contacts with Mensa 
>whether they thought it was a good idea.  Some had been 
>members and quit, some were relatives of Mensans.  Except 
>for the one who had originally suggested it, all recommended 
>I not join. 
>
>Next, I subscribed to rec.org.mensa to get a feel for what 
>Mensans talk about.  In all fairness, there's nothing 
>preventing non-Mensans from posting to this newsgroup (like
>me) so much of what is discussed here (and HOW it is discussed)
>may NOT be typical Mensa material.  But nonetheless, I have to 
>admit, reading the name-calling and bickering that goes on here 
>made my decision much easier.
>
>Now let's see, where's that 'Unsubscribe' button...?

Thanks for sharing, friend!  And it's right over the "j".
Hit it now, okay?

GMS
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa