HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: rmg53668@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Ryan M. Grant)
Subject: Re: Who's in charge here?
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 23:03:35 GMT

Ok.  Im not in the top 1% of world brains, or in mensa - But I can figure out
	how to edit my postings.  U of I just got your newsgroup here, and I 
	am expecting some interesting puzzles, arguments and discussions.  
	Hopefully the arguments will be easily readable, and well edited, 
	because I will of course be devoting my brainpower to the task at hand,
	and would rather not be trying to figure out who said what where, and
	where it has gone now.

					Thank You,
					- Ryan Grant
From: dh4j+@andrew.cmu.edu (David O Hunt)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Fwd: Harsh Language in Recent Post
Date: 7 Apr 92 17:20:14 GMT
Organization: Masters student, Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA



>DOH>  Actually, I had to take say that when I worked for the U.S.
>DOH> Army.
>
>No, you didn't, David.  You always had the option of "affirming" rather than
>"swearing," and if you affirmed instead of swore, you didn't have to say "so
>help me God."   Even the president doesn't have to swear, but can affirm, when
>he assumes office.
>
>Mike Steiner
Actually, the person who swore me in didn't mention this option...



David Hunt - Graduate Slave | My mind is my own.          | Towards both a
Mechanical Engineering      | So are my ideas & opinions. | Palestinian and
Carnegie Mellon University  | <<<Use Golden Rule v2.0>>>  | Jewish homeland!
============================================================================
Email:  dh4j@andrew.cmu.edu        I think, therefore I am paid. (S. Harris)

"You should be furious that polluters are threatening your great-great-
grand children's lives!"---Iroquois chief speaking about the environment.
From: mcbeanb@brandonu.ca
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Harsh Language in Recent Post
Date: 13 Apr 92 17:47:58 GMT
Organization: Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

In article <702965029.F00004@blkcat.UUCP>, Dave.Aronson@f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson) writes:
> mcbeanb@brandonu.ca writes to dh4j+@andrew.cmu.edu (David O Hunt):
> 
>  m> About the army, you didn't *have* to join the army there
> 
>  I don't recall his having mentioned *when* he joined the Army, or his
>  age, so your assertion may be false.  Well, yeah, he coulda gotten out
>  of the draft by signing up for the Navy or Air Force, but....  B-)

Sorry, forgot we were talking about America for a second...  Another
difference between cultures.

Brian McBean  -  McBeanB@BrandonU.Ca
From: tordm@vana (Tord Malmgren)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: What is the purpose of this newsgroup and Mensa?
Date: 12 Apr 92 10:08:53 GMT
Reply-To: tordm@vana
Organization: Dept. of Physics, University of Stockholm -- Sweden

In article <60tjt6c.sue@netcom.com>, sue@netcom.com (Sue Miller) writes:

[text deleted]
>I'm glad for you both.  I myself am not a Mensan anymore (but not
>because I harbour any ill will towards the group) and the guy I live
>with (and love to pieces) wouldn't even qualify.  So what.  What do
>you care what they do and why they do it?  

 this actually makes me happy; you're the third one I see in this newgroup
with this attitude -- this is great! as you said, usenet is very different
from the real life; the Truth... Live (TM)(!) and Intelligence (TM) won't
matter





---------------+--------------------------------
 Tord Malmgren | Internet: tordm@vand.physto.se | These opinions are my own,
               | BITnet  : TORDM@SESUF51.BITNET | and NOT of this department!
---------------+--------------------------------
 Department of Physics, University of Stockholm 
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: sue@netcom.com (Sue Miller)
Subject: Re: mrmrks and beating a dead horse ...
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 92 15:44:21 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 

In article <1992Apr12.100124.16814@kth.se> tordm@vana writes:
>In article <c0tj1=b.sue@netcom.com>, sue@netcom.com (Sue Miller) writes:
>
>[text deleted]
>>I don't like new-nazis but I don't
>>hang around their offices or bulleting boards telling them so.
>
> Why not? Do you agree with nazis? Do you accept them? Maybe Scott's a man
>of action and not of acceptance? Do you see people in Chile or South
>Africa accept the discrimination put on them? they act... They might seem
>stupid, dumb or even naive to those discriminating, but they act...
>

"And when did you stop beating your wife."  Of course I don't agree
with them.  I do agree that they have a right to their idiotic beliefs
and the right of free association, so long as they are not breaking
any laws.  

Somehow I find it difficult to equate the political situations in
Chile and South Africa to some obstinate cuss' personal problem
with a social club.

Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: kyle@uunet.uu.net (Kyle Jones)
Subject: Re: Fermat's flunkeys (was Re: A Real Challenge)
Organization: UUNET Technologies, Inc
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 20:55:08 GMT

cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA) writes:
 > But to dub the posting as "misinformation" and an "easily
 > verifiable assertion".. WHAT'S GOING ON?

In a nutshell:  If you have the immodesty to speak out in a
worldwide forum you should have at least checked your facts.
If you don't, then you're going to catch some heat for it.

Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: sue@netcom.com (Sue Miller)
Subject: Re: /T/T/T/ Weekend Plans
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 92 19:26:30 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 

In article <1992Apr9.165843.1486@ncsu.edu> tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott Tai) writes:
>Dave.Aronson@f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson) writes:
>
>>tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott Tai) writes:
>
>> ST> I wasn't.  Look at any standard calendar--Sunday is the first
>> ST> day of the week, and hence, doesn't constitute the 'weekend'.  :)
>
>> Yes it does.  It's the front end.  B-)
>
>No--it's the start.  Front end is a contradiction in terms. :)

No, it isn't.  Get acquainted with a dictionary, Scott:

end (end) n. [ME ende < OE]  1. Either extremity of an object having
length.  2. The outside or extreme edge:BOUNDARY ... etc. (from Webster's)

A week has 7 days (this is its length), by convention (and nothing else,
mind) it begins on Sunday and stops on Saturday.  These are the ends, 
and they are called "the weekend".  

sue
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius
has its limits"

Organization: Masters student, Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Date: Mon,  6 Apr 1992 21:40:45 -0400 
From: David O Hunt <dh4j+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: /T/ Cattell Culture Fair Test

>I'm curious why the Cattell score required is significantly higher 
>( > 15 points) than for any other IQ tests.

Could it possibly be that the scales are different?  Just perchance????



David Hunt - Graduate Slave | My mind is my own.          | Towards both a
Mechanical Engineering      | So are my ideas & opinions. | Palestinian and
Carnegie Mellon University  | <<<Use Golden Rule v2.0>>>  | Jewish homeland!
============================================================================
Email:  dh4j@andrew.cmu.edu        I think, therefore I am paid. (S. Harris)

"You should be furious that polluters are threatening your great-great-
grand children's lives!"---Iroquois chief speaking about the environment.
From: ps3p+@andrew.cmu.edu (Peter A. Simon)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: signing off rec.org.mensa for the time being
Date: 7 Apr 92 16:23:04 GMT
Organization: Senior, Civil Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

>I check back in a few weeks to see if things have calmed
>down any.  At this time, with all these flames, this group
>is not living up to its potential.  It's mostly a waste of
>the time it takes to read.  So sorry - I was hoping for more.
>Best wishes.

Thanks for reminding me that I can do that too, Gayle, rather than
sitting mindlessly in front of my screen in the vain hope that some
intelligence might be shown here.

So far, no go.

Bye, bye.

Peter
From: sproule@gethsemane.EBay.Sun.COM (Dan Sproule)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: The 2% Rule
Date: 10 Apr 92 22:59:27 GMT
Reply-To: sproule@gethsemane.EBay.Sun.COM
Organization: Sun Microsystems
NNTP-Posting-Host: gethsemane.ebay.sun.com


-Don't attempt to put words into my mouth.  I've never said anything
-about this being about 'political correctness'.  Rather, I am firmly
-opposed to any form of discrimination, whether blatant or subtle in
-nature.
-
--------------------------------
-Scott Tai -- tai@ailab.ncsu.edu
-North Carolina State University
-Artificial Intelligence Systems
--------------------------------


   Hey Scott, take a chill pill. Mensa has a perfect right to hold to whatever
   standards they deem necesary for membership in their club. There is absolutely
   nothing discriminatory either blatant or subtle in having the criteria they 
   hold to for membership. 

   Your continual and profuse protestations to Mensa are highly offensive and 
   speak more to your fear of inferiority than to some pie-in-the-sky anti-
   discrimination claim. Your hidden agenda is glaringly obviuos. That being, 
   anything or any group that has standards which you personally find offensive
   is wrong whether it really is wrong or not. Which it isn't. Then, of course,
   the derogatory claim of descrimination can then be applied.

   Mensa has a perfect right to accept members by whatever standards they deem 
   necesary and the criteria of the top 2% isn't discriminatory. It would be dis-
   criminatory if Mensa objected to blacks, greens, yellows, or what have you; 
   should they meet the top 2%, then Mensa not allow them in. But this is not the
   case.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: alopez-o@neumann.waterloo.edu (Alex Lopez-Ortiz)
Subject: Rebuttal
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 03:01:38 GMT


How about writting an extensive reply arguing why mensa does not discriminate 
by excluding 98% of the population? 

I'm certain it will stop any more bozos for a while.

-To start with it may give a solid reply to many concerns.and it will keep 
them busy while they read it :-) :-)


This reply could latter be included in the FAQ list (which, btw I haven't
seen in a while).


Here is  an outline


-Intelligent requirements for Mensa are essentially the same as athletic
requirements for sport teams.

-Examples of when and where people with higher IQ may prefer to talk with 
other mensas (same as Magic Johnson prefering to play a one on one with
Larry Bird than with me!)

-Intelligence Bashing.- Previous articles give extensive testimony towards
people being uspet with intelligence.


Any more ideas?




-- 
Alex Lopez-Ortiz                              alopez-o@maytag.UWaterloo.ca
Deparment of Computer Science                       University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario                                                   Canada
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: kyle@uunet.uu.net (Kyle Jones)
Subject: Re: Some hard questions (was: Books that last)
Organization: UUNET Technologies, Inc
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1992 16:41:22 GMT

jlc5f@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Jean L. Cooper) writes:
 > WHY should we allow publishers to determine what should be
 > transferred to electronic formats?  In essense, this allows
 > them to determine what will be preserved and what future 
 > generations will read.  The items that publishers chose will
 > likely be "popular" items that sell, rather than useful items
 > that don't sell.  Is that how we really want to preserve our
 > cultural heritage?

There is no good _reason_ why, but there certainly is a cause,
and that cause is money.  It's already happening.  I believe Sony
has an electronic book product on the market.  It would be great
if the public, with the government as its agent, could take the
steps needed in this regard.  But either today's public or
today's government is not up to the task.  Who else is left but
the publishers?
From: lomasm@p4.cs.man.ac.uk (M91)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Rebuttal/Anecdote/Respect!
Summary: Show your supposed intelligence!
Keywords: Flaming megawar degeneration
Date: 9 Apr 92 16:45:21 GMT


The debate-cum-flamewar-cum-vitriol has been fun and in some
cases very amusing. However, I'm disappointed in the lack of
intelligence shown for conducting/concluding the arguments -
especially considering the self proclaimed super-intelligence
of one of the contestants.

The present multiple threads of (intelligent?) abuse and "you
said so-and-so and meant so-and-so" is of little value,
childish, and proves that Mensa does not mean maturity, good
sense, or `being logical'. Is it that "intelligence is inversely
proportional to high passions (and multiple mega-flaming)"
an excuse?   (Evidence required ofcourse :-)

********************************************************************

I am very interested in all the protagonists summarising their
views (coherently in less than 99 lines each), with some indication
of hard evidence where necessary (or if just personal views).

********************************************************************

** NOTE: `Personal views/feelings' are acceptable. **
... we are Human after all!


My respect for some on this net is now very low, and my opinion of
Mensa unchanged from the `bunch of childish elitists' stereotype.

You have your chance to redeem yourselves and possibly even convince
me that Mensa is worth joining.


Please take heed of the very appropriate posting by Michael
Greenwald: (michaelg@Xenon.Stanford.EDU 7 Apr 92 15:43:09 GMT)

=====================================================================
"It was such a shock to me to see that a committee of men could
present a whole lot of ideas, each one thinking of a new facet, while
remembering what the other fella said, so that, at the end, the
decision is made as to which idea was the best -- summing it all up
--- without having to say it three times."
 
 --- From "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!"
     copied without permission
=====================================================================



Martin Lomas

(My views and Manchester University are completely unconnected.)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: werme@alliant.com (Ric Werme)
Subject: Re: Fermat's flunkeys (was Re: A Real Challenge)
Organization: Alliant Computer Systems Corp.
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1992 17:38:36 GMT

In article <35154@nntpd.lkg.dec.com> jc@sppip7.lkg.dec.com (John Chambers) writes:
> One day I
>got suspicious and tried a simple  experiment:   I  read  the  passage
>aloud.   The  student  then understood it.  Furthermore, he/she didn't
>realize that I had simply read the passage aloud.

My least favorite kind of teacher was the type that basically just read the
textbook.  I figured that the technique was due to a variety of
reasons:

1) Students are lazy, they won't do the reading at home.  (So I got in
   the habit of not reading at home, but ignoring the teacher and reading
   it in class.  I could read faster than the teacher could talk.)

2) The teacher is lazy, no point in presenting a topic differently that
   the text.

3) (This one's okay.) The teacher can build up a drawing or equation on the
   blackboard and explain how each step fits better than jumping between
   text and drawing in the book.

Based on your anecdotal information, perhaps we can add:

4) Many students have better hearing comprehension than reading comprehension.

We've had a few meetings here to explain and sign up for new benefit packages.
Invariably they're of the "read from the plan" style.  Generally there are
several sessions to keep the group size managable.  One other person here
and I have suggested that one session be set up that omits the dramatic
reading and goes straight to the Q&A part.  The response has been incredulity
that we don't find their standard format worthwhile.

I bet we could estimate people's reading comprehension with a quick glance
around someone's home.  If there's more pieces of reading material in sight
than pieces of furniture, they can read.  (If you can't see the furniture
due to the piles of books and magazines on top of the furniture (and stairs),
then there's no doubt.)
-- 
| A pride of lions               | Eric J Werme                   |
| An odd lot of programmers      | uucp: mit-eddie!alliant!werme  |
| A Constitution of Libertarians | Phone: 508-486-1214            |
From: Mike_Steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Which is the Best RG? (Was: Re: A Truly International Gathering)
Date: 15 Apr 92 18:53:02 GMT
Organization: Claris Corporation

In article <TERRYK.92Apr15083451@fenix.encore.com>, terryk@encore.com (Terence M. Kelleher) writes:
> 
> In article <15Apr92013514@miracle.com> phil%miracle@merk.com (Phil Hill) writes:
> 
>    My top 5 (in order) are:
> 
>    New England Pilgrimage          Marlboro, MA
>                                              ^^
>    Mensautumn                      Conn & West Mass.
>                                                ^^^^
>    RG at the end of the Universe   Manchester, MA <<---------------+
>                                                ^^                  |
>    Snowball                        Central NJ                      |
>    Cape Cod Mini-RG                Dennisport, MA                  |
>                                                ^^                  |
>                                                                    |
> Do I detect a SLIGHT regional bias here, Phil?   Naw, couldn't be. |
>                                                                    |
> So, when is your next truely wonderfull RG in the Commonwealth?    |
                                                                     |
Didn't the original say Manchester, NH? >>---------------------------+
From: noonan@sonata.enet.dec.com (Costumes & Makeup & Kliegs, oh my!)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: /T/ I hate /T/
Date: 9 Apr 92 16:41:24 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


In article <1992Apr8.231018.28108@ncsu.edu>, tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott Tai) writes...
>phil%miracle@merk.com (Phil Hill) writes:
> 
>> I have a question though.  Why the /T/'s it looks like that Scott Tai is
>> inserting them in his postings?  Does he want to see how much traffic he
>> is making?  Or does he want to make it easy to KILLFILE him?
> 
>Come on Mr. MENSA, even you should be able to figure this out!  Here's a hint:
>the T does NOT stand for Tai... :)
> 
>---------
>Scott Tai



         Oh, my.  Aren't *you* rude.  

         Well, I'm no Mr. MENSA, so perhaps you would be willing to
         share this little tid-bit with me?

         Oops!  Perhaps I need a retest!


         .sigless E
From: Mike.Steiner@p1.f207.n143.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: /T/T/ Weekend Plans
Date: 9 Apr 92 16:19:09 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:143/207.1 - Sunnyvale Fido Conn, Sunnyvale CA


Dave Aronson writes about "/T/T/ Weekend Plans" to All  [09 Apr 92 05:43]

DA> tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott Tai) writes: 

 ST> Mike.Steiner@p1.f207.n143.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Mike Steiner) writes:

  MS> Oh, yes; chalk up another Tai Lie (TM)--
 MS> his statement that he won't be on here this weekend.

  ST> I wasn't.  Look at any standard calendar--Sunday is the first
 ST> day of the week, and hence, doesn't constitute the 'weekend'.  :)

DA>   Yes it does. It's the front end. B-) 

As contrasted to some people on this forum?
 
/207 143/207
--  
Mike Steiner
UUCP: uts.amdahl.com!kennel!207.1!Mike.Steiner
INTERNET: Mike.Steiner@p1.f207.n143.z1.FIDONET.ORG
"The views expressed above are those of Mike Steiner only."
From: phil%miracle@merk.com (Phil Hill)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: /T/ MENSA Groups Nonexistent in this Area
Date: Tue, 07 Apr 92 19:18:03 EST
Organization: Miracle Computer Consultants

cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA) writes:
>>Okay, I tried just that.  The Raleigh phone book contained no listing of any
>>MENSA group.  Hard to believe, considering it is home to the largest
>>university in North Carolina and South Carolina!  Let me know how where the
>>closest MENSA group is.  (Chapel Hill or Durham, perhaps?)
>>---------
>>Scott Tai
>
>You're partly right.. you can't finding Mensa through the phone book. There IS,
>however, an active local group comprising folk at Durham, Chapel Hill,
>Raleigh, and Fayetteville.. I'll send you email about this, if you like.

Many Mensa chapters don't want to put up with the bother of a 'Mensaphone'
or can't afford one.  That is one reason National put in the 800 number
for information.  Unfortunately, this means that you still arn't in the
phone book. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Phil Hill                     | "All you people in TV land,           |
| Miracle Computer Consultants  |   I will wake up your empty shells.   |
| Email: phil%miracle@merk.com  |  Peak time viewing blown in a flash,  |
|  -or-  phil.hill@channel1.com |   as I burn into your memory cells.   |
| FAX:   (508)875-3297          |  'cause I'm alive." - Peter Gabriel   |
From: tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott Tai)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: /T/T/ Weekend Plans
Date: 8 Apr 92 00:46:59 GMT
Reply-To: tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott Tai)
Organization: NCSU Artificial Intelligence Systems Laboratory

Mike.Steiner@p1.f207.n143.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Mike Steiner) writes:

> Oh, yes; chalk up another Tai Lie (TM)--his statement that he won't be
on here
> this weekend.

I wasn't.  Look at any standard calendar--Sunday is the first day of the
week, and hence, doesn't constitute the 'weekend'.  :)

---------
Scott Tai
From: shrum@eos.arc.nasa.gov (Richard Barry Shrum)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: /T/ Mensa Frauds Exposed - reasons exposed
Date: 7 Apr 92 02:23:53 GMT
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, CA

>Explain why I would want to join an organization I am morally opposed to!
>
>---------
>Scott Tai



WELL IT CERTAINLY SEEMS TO DWELL ON YOUR MIND A GREAT DEAL!!!



Rick
From: Dave.Aronson@f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson)
Sender: Uucp@blkcat.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Isaac or Issac?
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 1992 17:11:26 -0500

kalberi@vipunen.hut.fi (Kalle Kaukonen) writes:

 KK> BTW there has been some conversation about Mr. Asimov. 
 KK> Is his name _really_ written "Issac" in English??

No, that must have been a typo.

 KK> but everyone (appr. 6?) who has written about him has
 KK> spelled "Issac".

Including in new, non-quoted text?  Hmmmm, I never noticed....

 KK> The name seems to be of a Russian origin (?)

"Asimov" is (I heard that it was the name his grandfather took when the Czar
decreed that everybody must have a last name, and his grandfather was a dealer
of wheat, which in Russian is "asim"), but "Isaac" is of Hebrew origin (the
original being the son of Abraham and Sarah, and the father of Jacob; the name
means laughter).

 KK> the only rational explanation I could find, was that the name is 
 KK> transliterated from cyrilic letters to Arabic differently to Finnish than
 KK> to English... Although I think this is _more than highly_ improbable....

What does Arabic have to do with it?  Or do you mean the "Latin" alphabet?

In any case, some names *are* transliterated differently into various languages,
due usually to variances of pronunciation rules, or lack of accent marks or
other "additional" characters (such as the slashed O common in some Scandinavian
languages).