HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic)
Subject: Re: Separatism
Organization: TRW Financial Systems
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 10:32:24 GMT

alester@gate.os.ncsu.edu (Avie) writes about all-black facilities.

I think they should go ahead and do whatever they want. Let's hope
the rest of the country moves to true melting-pot and shows them up.
But I guess until we do, they *may* have a point; if they can't persist
with their culture otherwise. Forming "Caucasian Engineers" would be
stupid if the Engineers go multicultural, which is what we - at least I -
want. But if some group wanted to, they should do that too. All they have
to do when challenged is say - hey - ain't about tearing anyone else
down; just want a place where our culture can persist. That's fair, if
stupid. Culture in essence extends no further than one individual.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic)
Subject: Re: t// REC.ORG.MENSA TODAY - 09/28/92
Organization: TRW Financial Systems
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 08:19:39 GMT

gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes:
>>> NLP?
>>Neuro-linguistic programming.
>
>Tell me more!  I assume it's programming in "net"-style for linguistic
>comprehension?  Or what?  Sounds interesting.
>
>GMS

Sorry, it's one of those new-agey things, it isn't technical and hasn't much
to do with language per se. Go to the psych section, or to maybe a new age
bookstore and look for Bandler & Grinder - one of the titles I think was
"Turning Frogs into Princes" or such, there are several books and some of
them are small and very colorful [covers]. Scan these and you'll get the jist,
and I have a feeling you will shake your head and walk away. But maybe not;
they aren't useless - maybe just not your style? Or - but you're more open
to this stuff than crawdad . . . dunno. Take a look.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai)
Subject: t-- Re: t// Re: T// Re: T% Thought for the Day
Originator: tai@ailab.ncsu.edu
Reply-To: tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai)
Organization: NCSU Artificial Intelligence Systems Laboratory
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 22:34:38 GMT


gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes:
|> >|> What is the point or relavence of the last paragraph?  Are  you trying to 
|> >|> say that you're GMS's wife???
|> >
|> >Yes, actually.  Do you have a problem with that?
|> >
|> 
|> Before I say anything, send a photograph.

Why?

Maybe I'll just post a gif image :)

--
Scott Tai -- tai@ailab.ncsu.edu
NCSU Artificial Intelligence Lab
Centennial Campus
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic)
Subject: Re: t// Re: T/ Re: T% Thought for the Day
Organization: TRW Financial Systems
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 10:50:09 GMT

tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai) writes:
>
>MENSA is simply one more dangerous way in which one group of people 
>attempt to set themselves apart -- and by 'apart' one invariably finds 
>'superior', since few people desire to join an organization which claims 
>its members are 'inferior' -- from the rest of the populace.  Of such 
>'harmless' little groups are born the divisive philosophies which feed 
>nationalism, racism, and separate us from each other.

NO, dude. It's a way for "like people" to find each other.
Unless you think being a genius means nothing per se, the idea
is finding people who have - say, faster pick-ups, who are likely
to be more complex than the general member of the public at large.

beyond speed-of-brain there is no distinction - the microcosm reflects
the whole - that is why smarts do not imply disputing the occult, for
example, or prevent you from being a serial-killer, or an otherwise-
ordinary-housewife. But speed-of-brain is a trait which just happens
to be nice to encounter as a reflection of oneself.

-ecsd
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: jlc5f@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Jean L. Cooper)
Subject: Re: Muchow D.: About Nothing ==> NOT HARDLY
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 21:43:13 GMT

RE:  Whether the punctuation should be enclosed within the
quotes or outside the quotes.

As I understand it, the punctuation inside the quotes
("... America.") is the American standard and the punc-
tuation inside the quotes ("...Britain".) is the British
standard.

The reason I have been given is that American typesetters
changed over to the inside the quotes style in colonial
times because the period outside the quotes tended to
break off/fall off when they were moving a line of type.
American typesetters have been following the new style
ever since.

(P.S.  If someone has a better story, I'd like to hear
it! 8^)  )
--
Jean L. Cooper    (BITNET: JLC5F@virginia.edu   CIS: 70253,1114)
"The true University of these days is a Collection of Books." 
                                           --Carlyle                        
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic)
Subject: Re: Magik
Organization: TRW Financial Systems
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 07:57:24 GMT

mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner) writes:
> ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic) writes:
>> jswthomp@milton.u.washington.edu (James Thompson) writes:
>> >I deeply believe that magic should always be spelled without a 'k'.
>> >Jim
>> I second. "Magic" should be called 'parlor magic'; "Magick", which is
>> a subject as broad and deep as religion, should have the rights to "Magic".
>
>Parlor magic?  What about stage magic?  close-up magic?  escape artistry?
>
>They all come under the umbrella term of "entertainment magic."  Anyway,
>considering that "magick" is the original spelling, why not use it for
>the supernatural kind, and use the more modern spelling "magic" for
>the entertainment kind?

For feel. I'm very visual, and calling myself a "magickian" violates my
parsing rules for phonetics. The way you say is the way it is now.
I'm lazy. The extra 'k' is (to me) spurious, and more work, and -damn -
it just *feels* wrong.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic)
Subject: Circular Flames
Organization: TRW Financial Systems
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 10:20:41 GMT

mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner) writes:
>
>Wrong.  I criticize, insult, attack, put-down, and flat-out flame only those
>people who have insulted, attacked, put-down, and flat-out flamed first.
>What you are ignoring is that you are the one who initiated the flames and
>attacks.  You are reaping what you sowed (to wax Biblical for a moment).  If
>you are so thin-skinned and insecure that you can not take your own medicine
>(to mix metaphors), you shouldn't have started it in the first place.  You
>are merely getting what you deserve.  Oh yes, there is another difference; we
>post under our own names, whereas you are too much of a coward to post under
>your own name.
> 
>> This is no definitive study here, but I have known enough people over enough 
>> time from enough places that a pattern is quite clear: MENSA is considered 
>> insignificant and ridiculous. Why should this be so?
>
>Because those who consider Mensa insignificant and ridiculous are themselves
>insignificant and ridiculous, and feel the need to vent their frustration
>about this fact, rather than seek the help they so obviously need.
>
>You are a pathetic representative of the human race, Tai.

This is reminiscent of Arabs vs. Israelis. After a while it becomes stupid
and pointless to try to go back to first causes.

I'm a well known pariah on soc.bi, for getting into heavy trashing, especially
trying to point out hypocrisy. People with closed ears do not hear.

Point to you, and to Tai, is to try it in reverse:
If you believe in the Golden Rule, then whose ego is large enough for them
to be *nice* first, and see if the other responds in kind? If all you see
is the last insult, and reply in kind, then consider that your opponent
has you quite well figured out; you're just pumping each other.

>You are a pathetic representative of the human race, Tai.

You [steiner] should know what you're doing here.
If Tai characterizes your past behavior correctly, the first thing to do
is acknowledge it - "yes, I know that I evidence behavior X". So what?
We are all fuck-ups. Much easier to say so and to get on with it.

So, I leave you to think about this . . .

claiming the title of Biggest Asshole of This Century
and Loving Every Moment Of It.

Thank you, Thank you.
-ecsd
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Doubters Of Astrology
Date: 5 Oct 92 20:06:02 GMT

In article <1992Oct3.113721.4123@tfs.com>, ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic) writes:
> 
> yoo@netcom.com (Young-Kyu Yoo) writes:
> >1.  Occam's razor is not a LOGICAL necessity.  Its use is convention, as much
> 
> This leads me to display some ignorance (finally :)
> 
> I never remember what Occam's Razor is.
> But that's not all.
> 
> I want to get out and do some broadsides against some things I see at large
> and in the media. So I know there is a long list of logical fallacies,
> with names. It would help me if someone will cite a book I can look them
> "all" up in, or if some ardorous Virgo out there wants to list them here,
> the kinds and names, with an example of each.
> 
> E.g. guilt-by-association, black-and-white, etc.
> I'm looking for as complete a list as I can get.
> 
> So what is Occam's Razor, again?

Essentially, if there are two or more explanations for the same happening,
go with the simplest one.
Xref: sparky rec.org.mensa:6858 rec.puzzles:6510
Organization: University of Maine System
Date: Tuesday, 29 Sep 1992 15:16:42 EDT
From: <IO20467@MAINE.MAINE.EDU>
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa,rec.puzzles
Subject:    jabberwocky wanted

i'm sorry if you see this request a lot....  I've seen it here, but I've recent
ly lost versions of jabberwocky, and i would like as many translations of this
as possible. especially russian, but all languages.  thank you very very very v
ery very very very much. :) amy

email:   amy @ umainecs        io20467 @ maine        9124053 @ awiwuw11
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: t// Re: REC.ORG.MENSA TODAY
Date: 30 Sep 92 18:25:05 GMT

In article <1992Sep29.222847.11002@ncsu.edu>, tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai) writes:
> 
> 
> ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic) writes:
> |> tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai) writes:
> |> >This is no definitive study here, but I have known enough people over enough 
> |> >time from enough places that a pattern is quite clear: MENSA is considered 
> |> >insignificant and ridiculous. Why should this be so?
> |> 
> |> There are too few Mensans, and Mensa is not seen as more than a social club.
> |> "Geniuses are weird" and the public is given to think of them as 'other' and
> |> mere curiosities.
> |> 
> |> Mensans are very smart people who are in most other respects, very much like
> |> everyone else - good, bad & ugly.
> 
> "Eric":
> 
> You're not more intelligent; you simply scored higher on a test
> whose validity is questionable.

A contention that you continually repeat, but always fail to prove.
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Famous Mensans
Date: 2 Oct 92 23:39:17 GMT

In article <1992Oct1.200742.24181@cs.ucla.edu>, quam@hana.cs.ucla.edu (David Quam) writes:
> 
> In article <BvG0I3.93t@news.larc.nasa.gov> yaros@sab57.larc.nasa.gov (Steve Yaros) writes:
> >
> >All right...at the risk of boring you all with repetition, this card-carrying
> >Mensan would like to ask for the names of famous Mensans.  I was asked for
> >this info and came up with a near blank.
> >
> 
> 
> Try Isaac Asimov, who is (or used to be) the International Chair of MENSA.
> If Isaac Asimov, a genius by any standard, thought it was worthwhile to join
> MENSA, who in their right mind is going to argue?

Actually, he was vice chair.  He did leave Mensa for a few years, but then
rejoined.  He let his membership lapse about two years before he died, but
he let his membership lapse in all the clubs and organizations he belonged
to then, because of his health problems.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com ("Johnson")
Subject: Re: FAQ
Reply-To: johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com
Organization: Motorola Wireless Enterprises, Schaumburg, IL
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 14:37:59 GMT

In article <1992Sep28.160048.18179@shearson.com>, brekshyn@shearson.com (Bohdan Rekshynskyj) writes:
=)Greetings,
=)
=)   Is there a FAQ?  Thanks.
=)
=)
=)					Bohdan
=)
=)
=)
=)
=)=====================================================================
=) 
=)Bohdan Peter Rekshynskyj
=) 
=)Consultant                     
=) 
=)Compuserve:  72576,1754
=)
=)
=)                              
=)All promulgations are my own.  No corporate entity has authorization
=)to represent me.
=) 
=)Imprimatur.						Nihil obstat.
=) 
=)=====================================================================
=)
=)
Yes there is, but it's not quite as big as your .sig.
-- 
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  "Johnson"                              | "                               " |
|  johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com |               -- Marcel Marceau   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Disclaimer:  It's just my Tourette's Syndrome acting up again.             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
From: ksdavis@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Karleenus Schwartz Davis)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Famous Mensans
Date: 1 Oct 92 22:06:40 GMT
Article-I.D.: usenet.BvGqr4.1yC
Organization: Indiana University

In article <1992Oct1.200742.24181@cs.ucla.edu> quam@hana.cs.ucla.edu (David Quam) writes:
>
>Try Isaac Asimov, who is (or used to be) the International Chair of MENSA.
>

Unless I have my facts skewed (which I admit I might), the case 
is definitely USED TO BE, unless Mensa knows something about life
after death that they haven't told us yet.

-sz
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic)
Subject: Re: t-- t// Re: REC.ORG.MENSA TODAY
Organization: TRW Financial Systems
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 10:20:55 GMT

tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai) writes:
>
>mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner) writes:
>|> > Now if only it could keep you off the net... *sigh*
>|> The net would be better off if *you* would keep off it.
>
>"Mike":
>Tell me why this group was BEGGING me to return, then :)
>Scott Tai -- tai@ailab.ncsu.edu

'cause you're so fun to poke at. humans define themselves by what they
are not, too.

Yeah, if I would get round to figuring out how to download images to
my PC - well, download yer god-damned picture. You're probably cute.

Shit Hell, I will. People who hate my guts who see my picture will experience
significant dissonance. How can a guy who smiles like that, be such an
asshole? Answer: let's have lunch.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic)
Subject: Re: Famous Mensans
Organization: TRW Financial Systems
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 08:29:05 GMT

karlth@rhi.hi.is (Karl Thoroddsen) writes:
>(famous mensans)
>Clive Sinclair and ..... humm well Madonna is Mensa material (140 SB-IQ).
>
>Internet: karlth@rhi.hi.is             \ Karl Thoroddsen University Of Iceland


>.................................. Madonna is Mensa material (140 SB-IQ).

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yeah.
Get a look at the brains in that babe.
She's one of my social heroes too.
And we're pretty close in age too!

*pant* *sigh* *pant* *sigh* *pant* *sigh* *pant* *sigh* *pant* *sigh* *howl* 
*sigh* *pant* *sigh* *pant* *sigh* *pant* *bray* *pant* *sigh* *howl* 
*pant* *sigh* *pant* *sigh* *pant* *sigh* *pant* *sigh* *howl* 
*sigh* *pant* *sigh* *pant* *bark* *pant* *sigh* *howl* 

Guess you get the idea.
From: vance@cco.caltech.edu (Vance R. Haemmerle)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: I. M. Shirley Wright says...
Followup-To: rec.org.mensa
Date: 4 Oct 1992 20:17:05 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: alumni.caltech.edu

In article <01GPEF22BGJC8WVZMY@ccfvx3.draper.com> seb@draper.com (Steve Bacher) writes:
>	Does WIAV mean "What Is a Vance?"?
>
>Should one put the "?" inside the "\"", $1 outside $2, or have two of the "?"?
>
>I breathlessly await your responses.


  I am a Vance, if that helps at all.  :-)


. <= microdot sig

Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: t// Re: t-- Re: t// t// Re: REC.ORG.MENSA TODAY
Organization: AT&T
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 06:09:42 GMT

In article <1992Oct6.025547.28868@ncsu.edu> tai@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai) writes:
>
>sonic@cray.com (Curtis L. Swanson) writes:
>
>No--every time I try to initiate intelligent debate, the thread is
>usually ignored.
>
Well, why don't you have yourself tested and then share the results
with the folks on the net?  If you have some kind of simple communication
idiosyncrasy, you might find a way to overcome it.  Chances are, you've
been trying to generate what appears to you as a reasonable, coherent
chain of reasoning, and it has been lost on the audience of ROM and
the other folks on the various net-groups.  Heck, history is full of
the very bright that have been misunderstood until far later periods
in time than those in which they originated their ideas.  Some of the
most brilliant minds in history have been occasionally considered
insane.  Don't waste the thought.

Later.  And good luck, buddy.

GMS
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Newbie born
Date: 29 Sep 92 18:00:28 GMT

In article <7388@vtserf.cc.vt.edu>, huddle@vttcf.cc.vt.edu (Scott Huddle) writes:
> 
> So... I just sent my application in last night.  It was because
> of this newsgroup that I learned that I would be eligible for
> membership (I'm still surprised).  Unfortunatly, I think I'm
> in a MensaWasteland.  Despite my university, I think that there
> are very few members here, and the local chapter seems to be
> centered around Charlottesville (3 hours from here).   
> 
> Hey, when do I learn the secret handshake?  And how about the DYP?

There is no secret handshake, and instead of a DYP (whatever that is)
we have a LYMP (Little Yellow Map Pin).  But ya gotta send in yer
prior evidence and pay da dues to get one.

BTW, where is Blacksburg?
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: alt.tasteless perhaps?
Organization: AT&T
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 16:32:50 GMT

In article <1992Oct1.134011.21580@ncsu.edu> not@ailab.ncsu.edu (N O Tai) writes:
>
>From the keyboard of ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic):
>
>: The guy who does *not* intend to take a shit, does not see himself 
>: at that moment of wondering why he has to sit on old dried urine at 
>: other times.  Half a brain says lift the seat, but nooooooooooo he 
>: can't bother with that.  Real bad for *scared to death of infection 
>: and yukkies* like I was and still am somewhat.
>
>What the hell does this have to do with Mensa?

Again, you have to read posts in entirety before replying.
It save lots of bandwidth and flames.
>
>I haven't seen much hostility towards Eric -- at least not nearly as
>much as Scott Tai used to generate with his posts.  If Eric doesn't 
>want to hear lovingly sarcastic opinions about his posts then he 
>should keep them out of rec.org.mensa.

Why would you tell someone to deal with the flames prior to their having
received any?  Unless you're planning something we don't know about,
of course.

>
>I think that the denizens of rec.org.mensa have been quite tolerant of
>ecsd.  He's been cluttering up the group with private messages and

My, we are such a tolerant, loving, mature group!  ROM Netters, take
a bow!!

>making ludicrous statements that positively invite someone to draw
>their rapier and pink Eric a good one.
>
>One suspects that the lack of response to Eric's posts is in part 
>due to the fear that he is just rattling our collective cage, and one 
>is still embarrassed from the last time one fell for a tongue-in-cheek
>Mensa baiter.

Obviously he's more skillful at not getting folks annoyed.  Go
figure.
>
>Dr N.O. Tai


This post was listed as having been generated
at 13:40 GMT, and I read it at 11:25 GMT.

Might want to ask someone to check that system, Scott.

GM("Doesn't Dance With Wolves, But Talks With Puppets")S
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic)
Subject: Russell's Paradox
Organization: TRW Financial Systems
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 07:25:56 GMT

quam@lanai.cs.ucla.edu (David Quam) writes:
>Answer:  The original premises are false.
>         There cannot exist such a barber.

Not within the particular system of axioms we're accustomed to.
There is no answer at *this* level, because the question is *apparently*
well-defined.

Cheers and glad tidings to the avid student who follows up on my suggestion
to do a little reading in comparative set theories, who will come back with
a concise explanation of a very *nontrivial* problem. People evoked by this
thread - Russell, Church, Rosser, Kleene, Godel, others - were decidedly not
lightweights.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: mechalas@gn.ecn.purdue.edu (John P. Mechalas)
Subject: Re: The An-Tai conspiracy game
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 92 15:15:32 GMT

In article <BERNARD.92Oct6091920@sirius.gte.com> bernard@sirius.gte.com (Bernard Silver) writes:
>
>Why waste any energy?  These things really don't matter. rec.org.mensa
>is not an important forum.  Do you really think that the reputation
>of NCSU will be damaged in any serious way?  There are stupid postings
>from everywhere (except from GTE of course).

There is a difference between someone working for a company and posting 
messages containing the address, and someone *pretending* to work for some
company, and then posting as if they were employed.  I am sure that GTE
would not appreciate me, for instance, pretending to be an employee when
I am not, and using a "fake" GTE address to support the facade.

-- 
John Mechalas                                          "I'm not an actor, but
mechalas@gn.ecn.purdue.edu                                 I play one on TV."
Aero Engineering, Purdue University                     #include disclaimer.h
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: cotera@woods.ulowell.edu
Subject: Re: The Candidates in Oz
Organization: University of Lowell
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 13:36:13 GMT

In article <15215@claris.com>, mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner) writes:
> A number of the candidates visited the Wizard of Oz to help them gain what
> they lacked or most desired.  When the Wizard asked them what they wanted,
> 
> Bush said, "I want a heart.
> Perot said, "I want courage.
> Qualye said, "I want a brain."
> Clinton said, "I want Dorothy."

And Gore said, "I want Toto."
--Ray Cote
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: seb@draper.com (Steve Bacher)
Subject: Re: ... Thought for the Day
Organization: Draper Laboratory
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 11:11:40 GMT

GMSsez:

>more positive than the alternative.  Kind of like the separatism 
>and inequality in women having separate, cleaner restrooms.

How do you know women's restrooms are cleaner???
--- -- --- ---- ------- --------- --- ----------

Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa