HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: T/ Re: T: To All MENSA Members...
Date: 30 Jul 92 20:24:12 GMT

In article <1992Jul30.025423.21076@ncsu.edu>, scott@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai) writes:
> 
> 
> In article <1992Jul28.141155.6246@linus.mitre.org>, wchenaul@cyclone.mitre.org (William W. Chenault) writes:

> |>	And just for the heck of it, I have this to say about that (that is,
> |>this thread).  I came on in the middle of this thread, when people were 
> |>already claiming Scott A. Tai to be a liar and worse.  I don't know what he
> |>did to deserve this label, but would appreciate it if people included facts or
> |>quotes about what he said and what independent source that was shown to
> |>contradict when making claims like this on the net.  
> 
> Wouldn't we all... :(

So, when are you going to do it?
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: sonic@artgate.cray.com (Curtis Swanson)
Subject: Re: T=Constructive Criticism
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.
Date: 29 Jul 92 09:42:47 CDT


In article <1992Jul28.222308.27560@ncsu.edu> some.obnoxious.pr*ck tai-sa@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai) writes:

>I feel almost no need to justify myself to 90% of the people who continually
>flame me.  They do so completely based on the story of the Steiner gang,
>without attempting to hear my side of events. 

Yup, thats me!  Mike got me my job, found me a good place to live, runs
interference with the bill-collectors for me and, next week, he's going to
find me a mistress and father my child!  What a guy, eh?

> They form a jury who has already arrived at a verdict without caring for 
> what the accused has to say.

When the accused is merely spouting discredited crap over and over again
without bothering to listen to contrary opinions (if you had, you would have
found new information/citations to back you up) posted by other people.

>You are unrelenting in your arguments and don't even change or allow for 
>contradictory evidence in your replies.  This discussion with you is hopeless 
>and was from the start.  NOBODY can change your mind.  This doesn't mean you 
>were right and I was wrong, or vice-versa; only that communication, for all 
>useful purposes, has seriously broken down.

Sigh, I should have just quoted you in replying to you.....

In article<1992Jul28.223458.27953@ncsu.edu> the.same.idiot writes:

[ blah blah blah]
>	So the conclusion we come to--which is certainly valid at least
>in the white European and North American populations in which the
>research was conducted-- is this:

So you're saying that the tests discriminate on genetic differences while
citing sources with extremely limited samples.  You can't generalize trends
from a specific SMALL data group.  Not that it'll stop you, of course...

BTW, having trouble remembering your forged addresses?  You seem to be 
"babbling" in your junk return addresses.
 
--
***  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.........
From: SSR48327@VAX1.UTULSA.EDU (Syed Shibli)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Why mammal lips?
Date: 25 Jul 92 23:42:11 GMT
X-Received: by usenet.pa.dec.com; id AA06831; Sat, 25 Jul 92 16:42:14 -0700
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X-To: rec.org.mensa.usenet
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mingmar@cs.mcgill.ca (Ming MAR) writes:

>Why are most mammals lipped?  Is this a result of random
>evolution or is there any particular reason for not being
>duck-billed?

  I don't really know why mammals are lipped. But I do know
  that I'd hate to look like a duck.

-- 
                                              --Syed Shibli
                                                ssr48327@vax1.utulsa.edu
                                                +1 918 631 3257
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: scott@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai)
Subject: T/ Re: Joining
Reply-To: tai@m-net.ann-arbor.mi.us
Organization: NCSU Artificial Intelligence Systems Laboratory
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 02:11:36 GMT


In article <1992Jul25.192752.7563@cbnewse.cb.att.com>, gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes:
|>In article <1992Jul25.142610.15034@ncsu.edu>, sat@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott Andrew Tai) writes:
|>> learn a new card game, or to talk about motorcycles, go to fun parties, etc.
|>> I think this is why MENSA seems so shallow and its appeal is so small.
|>
|>Probably true.  This may very well be a perception that some people have.
|>Frankly I don't care.  Maybe I should, but if I said I gave a crap, I'd
|>be exaggerating.  But that's just me.  Also, I used to got to Mensa
|>gatherings to have fun and relax.  Not to impress someone with my vast
|>knowledge of whatever-the-heck is in vogue.  And for contributing to
|>society, I do that at work.

So MENSA amounts to a social club with a test score requirement?  I see...

-- Scott Tai
   tai@m-net.ann-arbor.mi.us
From: eager@eagercon.com (Michael J. Eager)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: T: To All MENSA Members...
Date: 26 Jul 92 05:30:18 GMT
Reply-To: eager@eagercon.com
Organization: Eager Consulting

In article 6135@ncsu.edu, sat@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott Andrew 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.
>
>If you're so damn smart you ought to see that.

Actually, Scott, Mensa is just there so that you can continually rant
and rave.  If it didn't exist, you'd have to find something else to 
vent your spleen about.


---
Michael J. Eager		Michael.Eager@eagercon.com
Eager Consulting		(415) 325-8077 
1960 Park Boulevard, Palo Alto, CA 94306-1141
From: zlsiida@fs1.mcc.ac.uk (dave budd)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Why GREENSleaves?
Date: 27 Jul 92 10:57:16 GMT
Organization: Manchester Computing Centre
Originator: netnews@uts.mcc.ac.uk

In article <3630@blue.cis.pitt.edu.UUCP> nick+@pitt.edu (Nick C De Mello) writes:

>In article <1992Jul23.134510.4261@ugle.unit.no> mortenaa@Lise.Unit.NO (Morten Aagaard) writes:
>>Why is most vegetation green? Is this a result of random evolution or
>>is there any particular reason for not growing blue?

>                  Chlorophyll.

>                               Nick

And I THINK chlorophyll is green because the frequencies we perceive as 
green carry the least energy.  Or something like that.  So plants are 
optimised to extract energy from light.

+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  I don't take part in any sport that requires me to change clothes  |
|  Dave Budd, MCC, Oxford Rd, Manchester, England   (44)061-275-6033  |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: More on the AG
Date: 23 Jul 92 18:13:24 GMT

In article <1992Jul23.132242.5494@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>, edp@math.zko.dec.com (Eric Postpischil) writes:

> >If there were no national (or international) organization, there would
> >be no local groups, becasue there would be no organization for them to
> >be local groups of.
> 
> That's odd, I know some local (non-Mensa) groups without a national
> organization.  Do you think maybe I should rush right over to them and
> tell them they are operating in violation of the laws of logic, so they
> must cease existing immediately?

We were talking about local groups *within Mensa*.  The existence of non-
Mensa groups is completely irrelevant, as is your statement.  Are you
merely acting stupid, or does it come naturally?  Before making sarcastic
comments about logic, you should try using some logic yourself.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: T/ T=Killfiles and whoami
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 10:54:21 -0500

  KN> From: knechod@stacc.med.utah.edu (Kevin Nechodom) Newsgroups:
  KN> rec.org.mensa Organization: University of Utah STACC
  KN> 
  KN> In article <1992Jul30.031322.22146@ncsu.edu> tai@m-net.ann-arbor.mi.us
  KN> writes:
  KN> 
  > In article <712425627.F00002@blkcat.UUCP>,
  > Craig.Wagner@p2.f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Craig Wagner) writes:
  KN> [deleted stuff]
  |> I'm not quite sure I follow your reasoning...  ;-(
  |> 
  > In other words, if hollombe will stop attempting to be the
  > self-appointed moderator for rec.org.mensa by regularly posting a kill
  > file with the current tai userid, I'll promise not to change my id.

I guess I should read his posts once in a while.  Relying on seeing things from
him quoted by others causes me tomiss much of what he says - in this case
something to me.

Scott, if you're reading this, my "I'm not quite sure I follow your reasoning...
 ;-(  " was in reference to your "if... [then] everyone will be happy."  It's
hardly appropriate to speak for "everyone" or to claim to know what will make
them happy, especially (apparently) when it concerns the situation at hand.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: IQ vs. Faith
Organization: AT&T
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1992 17:27:27 GMT

In article <BkS-phB@engin.umich.edu>, willism@engin.umich.edu (Mark Benjamin Willis) writes:
> In article 5243 Matthew Harper (matth@progress.COM) asks:
> >  Can you give me a biblical event that cannot be resolved with a scientific
> > answer?  I've been trying, but I think I'm at a disadvantage since I feel most
> > (all) such things *can* be explained.
> 
> The clearest and (incidentally) most important example of such an event is
> the resurrection of Christ.  The Bible claims that Jesus died, was buried for
> 3 days (fri-sun) and then was resurrected.  (Not as in ghost, but as in a real,
> live person who could be touched, and who ate and spent time with over 500
> people.)
> 
> Obviously this is a biblical event that cannot be resolved with a scientific
> answer.
>
> Mark

I'm surprised you could say this with a straight face (.sig?).  We've
got newspaper stories and interviews up the wazoo that claim to have
met/seen/spoken with/born a child by Elvis.  So?  ("Well, these were
500 Special People, that are always right, and had pictures of Jeezus
in their wallets, and could take fingerprints, and...").  Not to
pick on you, I just had to remind you of the human factor.  Wasn't
it Oral Roberts that saw a 300-foot Jesus or something?  See, that's
even a Bigger Christ, and they didn't even put an appendix on the
Bible or anything!  Not even a footnote or even make a new postage
stamp.  I'm pretty sure Hitler is alive in South America and Saddam
Hussein lives just down the street from me.

Me, I'm going for the Twin Thing.  Works in soap operas.  ("I thought
you died in the flaming plane crash!"  "Oh, uh, that was, um, my
Evil Twin!  I'm perfectly fine!!").


G. Mark ("The other Mark") Stewart
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: T/ Re: T: To All MENSA Members...
Date: 30 Jul 92 20:22:30 GMT

In article <1992Jul30.024958.20847@ncsu.edu>, scott@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai) writes:

> Okay.  I don't have a problem with social organizations, per se.  The
> 2% rule has been, and will continue to be, the major problem with 
> MENSA, in my opinion.

Since you have demonstrated that your opinion is a racist, bigotted,
biased one--who gives a shit what it is?
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA)
Subject: Re: Ducks (was Re: Why mammal lips?
Originator: cjdcosta@c00400-346dan.eos.ncsu.edu
Reply-To: cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA)
Organization: North Carolina State University, Project Eos
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 21:20:49 GMT


zlsiida@fs1.mcc.ac.uk (dave budd) writes:
>In article <920725184211.2080b106@VAX1.UTULSA.EDU> SSR48327@VAX1.UTULSA.EDU
>(Syed Shibli) writes:
>
>>  I don't really know why mammals are lipped. But I do know
>>  that I'd hate to look like a duck.
>
>This duck goes into a chemist's, picks up a tube a lip salve.
>The assistant says "that'll be 78pence please"        [OK read cents]
>The duck says "Put it on my bill"
>
>
>The old ones are the best.


I saw a new one I liked. It's a cartoon of a lion charging a flock (gaggle? herd?)
of ducks. 

All take to the air except one oblivious duck listening to his walkman...
From: Dave.Aronson@f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson)
Sender: Uucp@blkcat.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Why GREENSleaves?
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1992 14:20:22 -0500

mingmar@cs.mcgill.ca writes:

 MM> I remember when the first color pictures of Mars were beamed back, and
 MM> we were all surprised that the sky was pink.  Of course, logically, the
 MM> sky _would_ be pick,

Why is the Martian sky pink?  Reflections of the red sand?  Thinner atmosphere
refracting the light differently?  Expiring minds want to know....


Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: edp@math.zko.dec.com (Eric Postpischil)
Subject: Re:  Mensa national versus local, New York City
Reply-To: edp@math.zko.dec.com (Eric Postpischil)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 18:13:53 GMT

In article <1992Jul22.151313.1910@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>,
jlc5f@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Jean L. Cooper) writes:

>Here is a suggestion:  if one of your members works at
>or has access to the University of New Hampshire (or other
>state university), you possibly have access to a copy 
>center that charges less than any commercial copy 
>center around.

Unfortunately the University of New Hampshire's principal campus is more
than two hours away from our editor.  However, I'll bring this up at our
next meeting; maybe we can find something similar.

>We also have a third class mailing permit.

So do we.

>Yes, it would certainly be cheaper in terms of rent
>to move the national office out of Brooklyn.  On the
>other hand, no one has really decided what they want
>the national office to DO, so how can we decide where
>to move it?  Do we want to keep mailing complete
>membership lists to officers every month?

I fail to understand how a decision to move the national office is
predicated upon whether it is to mail membership lists each month.  Are
there certain areas of the country from which these lists cannot be
mailed?


                                -- edp (Eric Postpischil)
                                "Always mount a scratch monkey."
                                edp@alien.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: matth@progress.COM (Matthew J. Harper)
Subject: Re: Daylenth
Organization: Progress Software Corp.
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 14:30:32 GMT

moroney@ramblr.enet.dec.com () writes:

>That's why I said "apparent force of gravity".  The actual force of gravity
>isn't affected by the spin, but if you measured the weight of a 1kg mass and
>didn't account for the spin of the earth you'll get very slightly different
>answers at the North Pole and Equator.

>-Mike

  But is this weight difference due to the spin, or due to the fact that the
distance between the object and the center of the earth is not the same at the
poles as it is at the equator?  More likely a combination of the two I 
would think, but how much is due to which part?

-Matth
--
          Matthew J. Harper ! Progress Software Corp. ! {disclaimer.i}         
   God created heaven and earth to grow barley and hops. Now he homebrews !-)
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Joining
Date: 27 Jul 92 18:33:33 GMT

In article <1992Jul25.142610.15034@ncsu.edu>, sat@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott Andrew Tai) writes:

> If ever there was a time when it was needed for MENSA to live up to its
> charter, this is it.  Yet sadly, all some people expect from MENSA is to
> learn a new card game, or to talk about motorcycles, go to fun parties, etc.
> I think this is why MENSA seems so shallow and its appeal is so small.
> Whether anyone admits it or not, MENSA is not respected.  Only a very small
> fraction of 1% of qualifying people bother to join.  I think it would be
> great if MENSA could stop being a parody of itself and become an active
> positive force.

I think that it was time for Scott Tai to stop being a parody of a human
being and become an active positive force.  so far, all you've done on
this forum has been to act like a world-class jerk.  To quote Spiro Agnew
(His one positive contribution was to provide this quote.), you are a
nattering nabob of negativism.  If you think that Mensa doesn't live up
to its goals, why don't you join Mensa and try to change it?  I submit
that it is because you have no interest in whether Mensa lives up to its
goals or not; all you want to do is criticise from outside.  Well, Mr.
Scott Andrew Tai (or whatever your name really is), you have proven yourself
to be a fool, a hypocrite, a liar, and a nitwit.  I do not call you these
things; by your own words and attitude on this newsgroup, you have proclaimed
yourself to be all of those things.   You are expemlary of what is wrong with
the world today.  You serve only as a bad example.
From: sonic@romulus.cray.com (Curtis Swanson)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: T--Polyandric Polymath and Kill Files
Date: 22 Jul 92 15:02:24 GMT
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.


In article <1992Jul21.222255.166@ncsu.edu> tai@cs.ncsu.edu (Scott Tai)
writes:

> Although I also
>find the use of foul language and slanderous remarks which 
>seems to be this newsgroup's trademark offensive, I think that
>the suggestion of shutting others out is easily the MOST
>offensive thing I've ever seen written.  What is it with you
>people?  Can you really not stand to hear any dissenting
>voices?  Are you so accustomed to being in control of every
>conversation that any reply is seen as another interruption of
>one in a series of brilliant epiphanies?

Compared to, say, soc.singles, alt.personals, soc.culture.hassan.mutlu.killers, rec.org.mensa is an extremely polite forum.  As for shutting out others,
The Polymath's kill file is his way of conccentrating on the conversations
that he is truly interested in.  This is a good method to reduce time
and money spent reading usenet (or fidonet, etc).  You can lose some 
interesting points raised on subjects but unless you manage to be a part
of every conversation taking place everywhere on earth (and off), you will
always miss out on something.  Tis far better to concentrate on something
you are truly interested in rather than wade through huge amounts of 
postings in search of an odd tidbit of info.  

We also don't mind, nay, enjoy RATIONAL, INTELLIGENT dissent because it
stimulates thought and understanding on various subjects of interest to
the participants and (hopefully) observers.

BTW, I hardly consider my intermittant epiphanies brilliant.....
--
***  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.........
From: jswthomp@milton.u.washington.edu (James Thompson)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Killfiles
Date: 31 Jul 92 17:33:18 GMT
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle

In article <1992Jul30.185546.2529@engage.pko.dec.com> iat_ttocs@a.forged.path (Scottie's Evil Twin) writes:
>
>See the posting with message ID <1992Jul28.033204.21967@ncsu.edu> from
>cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu.  It states that 'ailab.ncsu.edu' doesn't exist.
>
>-Mike (oops I mean Ttocs Iat)

This doesn't prove anything.  The system I regularly work on is invisible to
the net (i.e., incoming mail bounces, although I can send mail out and
can receive mail from other users on the local net.)  I think this is a
side-effect to some anti-hacker practices in use here.  It doesn't mean that
my computer doesn't exist.

Also, I have access to a number of machines here, so if I wanted to, I could
post messages from numerous addresses just like Mike's evil twin, without
having to make anything up.

Making accusations about Mr. Tai without any better basis than this is
counterproductive, as you simply continue to bait him.

Jim
(jswthomp@u.washington.edu, jimmy@ghini.engr.washington.edu, et al.)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: IQ vs. Faith
Organization: AT&T
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 23:27:16 GMT

In article <1992Jul27.111631.2159@walter.cray.com>, sonic@artgate.cray.com (Curtis Swanson) writes:
> 
> In article <1992Jul25.172727.4948@cbnewse.cb.att.com> gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes:
> 
> >Wasn't it Oral Roberts that saw a 300-foot Jesus or something?
> 
> I heard he saw one 900 ft tall.  I have a videotape of a commedian who made
> a whole routine about it.  I'll post his name and where it came from if 
> there's interest......

What *I* don't get is, you see a regular-sized guy walk out of a cave
2000 years ago, and everybody buys the book.  Nowadays, you see a
900 FOOT guy walking around a large residential district, and people
make JOKES about you.

See how jaded people have become?

GMS
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: ron@syacus.acus.oz.au (Ron Williams)
Subject: Re: speed of light and age of the universe
Organization: ACUS Australian Centre for Unisys Software, Sydney
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 06:39:54 GMT

Dave.Aronson@f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson) writes:
: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com writes:
: 
: Seen recently in Keshernet:
: 
:  Jews: God is 1!  Atheists: God is I!
: 

Christians: 1<= God <=3 , God != 2
Hindus:     God >= 3
Buddhists:  God?

Ron.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: scott@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai)
Subject: T/ T: To All MENSA Members...
Reply-To: tai@m-net.ann-arbor.mi.us
Organization: NCSU Artificial Intelligence Systems Laboratory
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 02:26:41 GMT


In article <1992Jul27.011217.25434@cs.rose-hulman.edu>, catapcnl@Rose-Hulman.Edu. (Chris Lawrence) writes:

|> [...] if I said that college professors are overpaid geeks, the  
|>cheers would resound from the chambers of our society.  Americans in general  
|>have been suspicious of the intellectually gifted (notice how in the McCarthy  
|>era, nobody cared (except for the intellectuals, most of whom got the pleasure  
|>of the senator's attention) about what was happening until the military were  
|>investigated), and not one thing has ever been done about this suspicion.  I  
|>for one will not stick around in a nation that in supposedly granting us  
|>freedom really seeks to oppress.

I'd like to see some actual evidence for these remarks, as I tend to 
disagree with you here.  It seems as if a large number of MENSA members 
believe that they are being persecuted because of their supposed high 
intelligence.  At the university level, and in the workplace, I've found 
the opposite to be quite true.  Smarter people are generally more successful.

-- Scott Tai
   tai@m-net.ann-arbor.mi.us
From: Dave.Aronson@f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson)
Sender: Uucp@blkcat.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: T/ Fwd: T: To All MENSA Members...
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 22:11:34 -0500

nick+@pitt.edu (Nick C De Mello) writes:

 NCDM> tai@m-net.ann-arbor.mi.us writes:

 T> The percentage of MENSA members
 T> who are minorities doesn't even approach the relative percentage
 T> of minorities in college.  The lack of education and social pressure
 T> doesn't appear to be as much of a factor as you would have it be.

 NCDM> What is the percentage of minority members in mensa?  In college?

And in what *quality* of colleges?  There are some that literally anyone can get
into ("open enrollment"); some have requirements for freshman entry but some
will accept all transfers (which means they get filled with people who flunked
out of elsewhere); some are just plain incredibly easy to get into (and
incredibly difficult to flunk out of).


Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa