HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: hollombe@polymath.tti.com (The Polymath)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: IQ vs. Faith
Date: 27 Jul 92 18:59:32 GMT
Organization: The Cat Factory

In article <14825@claris.com> mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner) writes:
}In article <1992Jul22.190618.21468@ttinews.tti.com>, hollombe@polymath.tti.com (The Polymath) writes:

}> You can't have it both ways.  Either the Bible errs in calling the first
}> four days "days" (in which case the validity of the entire work is called
}> into question) or "day" in Genesis doesn't mean "sunset to sunrise."
}
}One minor correction:  sunset to sunset; although even in the first "day,"
}before there was a sun, it does say, "it was morning and evening; the
}first day."

Oops.  Sorry about that.

The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, M.A., CDP, aka: hollombe@polymath.tti.com)
Head Robot Wrangler at Citicorp                   Turn the rascals out!
3100 Ocean Park Blvd.   (310) 450-9111, x2483     No incumbents in '92!
Santa Monica, CA  90405 {rutgers|pyramid|philabs|psivax}!ttidca!hollombe
From: Dave.Aronson@f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson)
Sender: Uucp@blkcat.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: TRUE BLUE?
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 01:09:42 -0500

mortenaa@Lise.Unit.NO (Morten Aagaard) asks:

 MA> How come the sky is blue?

'Cuz if it were green we wouldn't know which way was up.

Naw, really, an oversimplified explanation is that it's 'cuz the light gets
diffracted (or is it refracted?  I always get 'em mixed up...) when it hits the
atmosphere, and the blue light being the most energetic has its path bent the
least, so it seems to be coming from "up" more than other colors.


Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: drich@sandman.lerc.nasa.gov (Daniel Rich)
Subject: Re: More on the AG
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 16:19:23 GMT

In article <1992Jul23.182654.28306@ttinews.tti.com>, hollombe@polymath.tti.com (The Polymath) writes:
|> In article <1992Jul21.171514.2755@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> jlc5f@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Jean L. Cooper) writes:
|> 
|> }... I think posting the full minutes here
|> }is a waste of "bandwidth", considering their size.
|> 
|> Perhaps they could be archived somewhere and made available by anonymous
|> ftp?

I am going to be acting as the Internet contact for Mconnections (the
Mensa e-mail directory).  I am currently looking for a ftp site for
the directory, and I suppose, if I find one, we could archive the
minutes in the same place (if Jean is willing).

I just have to come up with some way to limit the archive to Mensa
members only (unless that isn't a concern of anyone).

-- 
Dan Rich                    | drich@lerc.nasa.gov   |  (216) 433-4000
Sr. Systems Engineer        | "Danger, you haven't seen the last of me!"
RMS Technologies, Inc.      |    "No, but the first of you turns my stomach!"
NASA Lewis Research Center  | -- The Firesign Theatre's Nick Danger
From: dtl8v@holmes.acc.Virginia.EDU (Heraclitus)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Genius sperm bank
Date: 31 Jul 92 16:24:29 GMT
Organization: University of Virginia


  I personally think that laboratory breeding of testtube babies is
OK, even if they, say, combine the donated ova of the smartest woman
in the world with the donated sperm of the strongest man (or fastest,
etc.; physical potential is often inheritable as well).  I think labs
could create a population problem, however, but I don't think they
should affect the majority population of heterosexual, fertile
couples.  Those who are artificially inseminated, or to whom
fertilized tissue is given, shouldn't have the right to choose whose
sperm they receive, because it's not a mating relationship.  I can't
understand concerns about avoiding sperm from people who have bents
toward mental illnesses or handicaps or from incorrigible criminals,
but shouldn't information on the donor be mostly confidential?

Doug Lamb
dtl8v@Virginia.EDU
From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Could it be...
Date: 30 Jul 92 20:09:15 GMT
Distribution: na

In article <3966@blue.cis.pitt.edu.UUCP>, kjmc+@pitt.edu (Kevin Mcnamara) writes:
> 
> 
>    Could the famous "Scott Tai," be Samuel S.(Scott?) Tai of:
> 
>                   sstai@ocf.berkeley.edu
> 
>                  Only the shadow knows...

I had thought of that, but "Scott Tai" showed up on my computer months
before Sam Tai did, and in different newsgroups.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: scott@ailab.ncsu.edu (Scott A Tai)
Subject: T/ T=Real Address and Goodbye
Reply-To: tai@m-net.ann-arbor.mi.us
Organization: NCSU Artificial Intelligence Systems Laboratory
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 03:28:05 GMT


In article <1992Jul29.213212.9769@ncsu.edu>, guest@bell.ncsu.edu (Mr. Guest Account) writes:
|>	My newsgroup posting privileges have been revoked!  While the appeals
|>process is pending, feel free to drop me a line at the below address. :7 
|>(Note that postal regulations prohibit the mailing of flaming dog excrement.)
|>
|>	I quote Thomas Jefferson, a man who knew how to engage in argument
|>and to rise above it:  "I tolerate with the utmost latitude the right of
|>others to differ with me in opinion without imputing them criminality."
|>
|>	Draw your own conclusions.  See ya.
|>
|>
|>-- Scott Andrew Tai
|>   1350-A Pullen Road
|>   Raleigh, NC 27607

Anyone who thinks the earlier forged posting was me is sadly mistaken.
I did think it was pretty funny, though, and it _was_ the first time
I've ever been forged!  Wow!  

Somehow I suspect cjdcosta was involved... :)

-- Scott Tai
   tai@m-net.ann-arbor.mi.us

Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: Look out guys - Mensan denies evolution
Organization: AT&T
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1992 18:01:55 GMT

In article <zlsiida.1032@fs1.mcc.ac.uk>, zlsiida@fs1.mcc.ac.uk (dave budd) writes:
> It's not the article in the UK Mensa mag that's the problem.  It's the 
> forthcoming book and what the rest of the world will make of the fact it's 
> written by a Mensan - even though WE know it's just his opinion, THEY may 
> take it as representing the views of Mensa itself.
> 

I happened to be in a diner in Canada the other day and ordered a vanilla
cone instead of the chocolate the guy was already scooping.  There
was a Martian guy there, and today I see this article in Mars Today
where he's quoted as saying, "Those humans, boy, they hate chocolate!"

Go figure.

GMS
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com ("Johnson")
Subject: Re: T--Polyandric Polymath and Kill Files
Reply-To: johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com
Organization: Motorola Wireless Enterprises, Schaumburg, IL
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 22:01:09 GMT

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.
=)
Actually, a kill-file entry is roughly equivalent to not reading junk mail
you're not interested in, but automatically, as if you could tell the post
office not to deliver anything from Publisher's Clearinghouse.  The moral
aspect of it is nonexistant.  If you find yourself in a lot of kill files,
and object to that, probably the best defense is to make a point to say
something of interest once in a while.
-- 
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  "Johnson"                              | "                               " |
|  johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com |               -- Marcel Marceau   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Disclaimer:  It's just my Tourette's Syndrome acting up again.             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
From: ltf@ncmicro.lonestar.org (Lance Franklin)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: BEACH-BABES
Date: 30 Jul 92 14:24:23 GMT
Organization: NC Microproducts, Inc.

SSR48327@VAX1.UTULSA.EDU (Syed Shibli) writes:
}  More important is, are there people in the ozone hole? 

Sure, usually in groups of four or less.

}  And if there is, can I go meet them? 

I suppose...but the clubhouse is a much better place to meet.

}  Will I be able to break a twenty? 

Probably...It's a par three hole, but if you land in the sandtrap, all
bets are off.  And watch out for the sharks in the water trap!


Lance
-- 
Lance T. Franklin            +----------------------------------------------+
(ltf@ncmicro.lonestar.org)   | "You want I should bop you with this here    |
NC Microproducts, Inc.       |    Lollipop?!?"                 The Fat Fury |
Richardson, Texas            +----------------------------------------------+
From: zlsiida@fs1.mcc.ac.uk (dave budd)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: IQ vs. Faith
Date: 21 Jul 92 13:12:39 GMT
Organization: Manchester Computing Centre

In article <711367551.F00002@blkcat.UUCP> Steve.Kaess@f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Steve Kaess) writes:


> MS> I believe that the universe was made by an infinitely-large
> MS> Persian cat.  Anyone who does not feed at least one cat daily is
> MS> going to suffer eternal damnation after s/he dies.  So, if you
> MS> don't have a cat in your home, and feed it every day, be prepared
> MS> for eternal agony after you die.

> MS> ---
>You damm fool!!! you sorry damm fool!!  Everyone knows that an american
>shorthair did the dead.  My cat, michiko, told me she is a member of the tribe
>of cats that say ek.  Cats that say ek are the children of pussy prime I am
>told.  At least you have the feed a cat a day rite right.

Wrong wrong wrong: it was the great FROG that created the earth.  I KNOW 
this because, just after reading the RUBBISH about cats (which are actually 
the servants of the frogs), I was looking into my pond to check on my newts, 
and a frog appeared - fully grown, and there's never been a frog in my pond 
before! - and as soon as our eyes met, the wisdom of the ages entered my 
mind.  You are right about the feed-a-cat rite though.

+--Great Quotes of our Time-------------------------------------------+
|        You should never have a hobby that eats                      |
+--------------------------------------Amarillo Slim Preston----------+          
|  Dave Budd, MCC, Oxford Rd, Manchester, England  (44)061-275-6033   |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
From: mcbeanb@brandonu.ca
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: BEACH-BABES
Date: 27 Jul 92 22:50:57 GMT
Organization: Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

In article <1992Jul25.184225.19217@ugle.unit.no>, mortenaa@Lise.Unit.NO (Morten Aagaard) writes:
> Most humans are attracted to the beach when the sun glows hot, is anybody
> capable of some good explaination?

These people are actually volunteers for a scientific experiment to 
determine whether or not there really is a hole in the ozone layer,
and if there is, then how big is it?

Brian McBean  -  McBeanB@BrandonU.Ca
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: edp@math.zko.dec.com (Eric Postpischil)
Subject: Re: More on the AG
Reply-To: edp@math.zko.dec.com (Eric Postpischil)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 12:52:13 GMT

In article <14826@claris.com>, mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
writes:

>We were talking about local groups *within Mensa*.  The existence of non-
>Mensa groups is completely irrelevant, as is your statement.

The existence of non-Mensa groups is not irrelevant.  Can you not learn
anything about Mensa groups from non-Mensa groups?  Do Mensa groups not
have characteristics in common with non-Mensa groups?  Do Mensa groups
follow some logic that other groups do not?

I cited other groups as an example that local groups can exist without a
national organization.  The same could be true of Mensa groups.


                                -- edp (Eric Postpischil)
                                "Always mount a scratch monkey."
                                edp@alien.enet.dec.com
From: jlc5f@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Jean L. Cooper)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Pt 3/5: FAQ for rec.org.mensa - old copy
Date: 22 Jul 92 19:07:07 GMT
Organization: University of Virginia

The corrected list of international offices and officers
is available on the Mensa Forum (from which this part
of the FAQ was taken).
--
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: edp@math.zko.dec.com (Eric Postpischil)
Subject:  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 14:10:07 GMT

The cost of living in New York City is 2.203 times the national average.
Rents are higher,  materials cost more, salaries are increased.  Little
is served by having Mensa's national offices in such an expensive place.
The offices should be moved elsewhere.

Most of my benefit from Mensa comes from the local chapter, yet they
receive only a fraction of my dues.  Our newsletter used to be published
for free on the equipment of one member's employer (with their consent).
We have recently lost access to this equipment and are trying to find a
way to publish our newsletter within the resources alloted by American
Mensa.  The amounts American Mensa provides will not pay for printing of
our newsletter (five standard 8.5 by 11 pages) at the cheapest service
in the area (New Hampshire).

From the local group, I benefit from frequent events and new
acquaintances.  In contrast, I receive little from American Mensa except
the Bulletin, which is useful for RG announcements and little else. 
(The articles are occasionally entertaining, but not worth much.)

We should change how dues are distributed and move American Mensa out of
New York City.


                                -- edp (Eric Postpischil)
                                "Always mount a scratch monkey."
                                edp@alien.enet.dec.com
From: phil@miracle.com (Phil Hill)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Exploratorium notice
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 92 14:19:29 EDT
Organization: Miracle Computer Consultants

jlc5f@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Jean L. Cooper) writes:
>"If you want whatever refund is available, contact
>Dick Amyx, SFRM LocSec, at 994 N. 2nd St., San Jose,
>CA 95112."

This is a nice gesture!

When are we going to get refunds for the AG!  I didn't pay the $35 for the
Exploratorium, I went on Sunday Afternoon and paid $8.  No bad meal, 
uncomfortable bus ride.  And the Good Humor Man was giving out **FREE** ice
cream.  A much better deal.

The AG still sucked.  We give *MUCH* better hospitality at our
Cape-Cod **MINI** RG (which we call 'minimum' hospitality).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Phil Hill                     | "All you people in TV land,           |
| Miracle Computer Consultants  |   I will wake up your empty shells.   |
|                               |  Peak time viewing blown in a flash,  |
|                               |   as I burn into your memory cells.   |
| Email: phil@miracle.com       |  'cause I'm alive." - Peter Gabriel   |
From: werme@alliant.com (Ric Werme)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: More on the AG
Date: 24 Jul 92 17:33:58 GMT
Organization: Alliant Computer Systems Corp.

In article <1992Jul24.125213.12781@nntpd.lkg.dec.com> edp@math.zko.dec.com (Eric Postpischil) writes:
>In article <14826@claris.com>, mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
>writes:
>
>>We were talking about local groups *within Mensa*.  The existence of non-
>>Mensa groups is completely irrelevant, as is your statement.
>
>The existence of non-Mensa groups is not irrelevant.  Can you not learn
>anything about Mensa groups from non-Mensa groups?  Do Mensa groups not
>have characteristics in common with non-Mensa groups?  Do Mensa groups
>follow some logic that other groups do not?
>
>I cited other groups as an example that local groups can exist without a
>national organization.  The same could be true of Mensa groups.

Libertarian though I am, I'm amazed that more groups don't follow Mensa's
structure.  It's really quite convenient that Brooklyn takes care of
the hassles of membership dues, exchange newsletters, etc.  I used to think
it nice that they produced all the mailing labels (I'm the publisher for
NH Mensa).  Now that I've computerized everything, including the 50
newsletters or so we send to out-of-state subscribers, proctors, prospects,
etc., I'm tempted to print all the labels so I could get the computer to
print them in 2nd class order.  If they would send the mailing list on a
floppy, I would.  (Actually, I'd be happy if Brooklyn would
print labels top down, left to right to make them easier to tear!)

However, other groups like the Granite State Wheelmen do just fine for less
money without relying on national groups such as the League of American
Wheelmen, so what do I know?

It does remind me of Ralph Rudolf's comment that perhaps Mensa should
allow people to join the national organization without joining the
local group.  I figured it would have been a lot less controversial if
he had suggested the other way around!


-- 
| A pride of lions               | Eric J Werme                 |
| A gaggle of geese		 | 77 Tater St			|
| An odd lot of programmers      | Mont Vernon NH  03057	|
| A Constitution of Libertarians | Phone: 603-673-3993		|
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: jlc5f@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Jean L. Cooper)
Subject: Re: student membership
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 17:20:49 GMT



Besides a 50% discount to students under 25 years of age,
Mensa also offers a 50% discount to senior citizens (over
65), and to servicemen and women (up to a certain grade).
In addition, if someone is suffering economic hardship,
we have a program by which they can request a full or partial
dues waiver, on a case by case, and year by year, basis.

There is no reason that someone who wants to get into 
Mensa cannot find some way to pay the dues, which are only
$39 per year.
--
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: mortenaa@Lise.Unit.NO (Morten Aagaard)
Subject: TRUE BLUE?
Organization: Norwegian Institute of Technology
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 20:52:20 GMT

How come the sky is blue?
From: lana@magenta.corp.sgi.com (Lana Mountford)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: T/ Re: T: To All MENSA Members...
Date: 30 Jul 92 20:23:22 GMT
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.

In article <1992Jul30.155437.9148@cbnewse.cb.att.com>, gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes (to "Scott"):
|> 
|> I enjoyed the articles, but I don't
|> seen anything in them that supports what I interpret to be
|> your position.  As a matter of fact, they seem to support the
|> opposition.  Could you clarify this?
|> 
|> GMS

Whew!  I'm glad someone else noticed that.  (I thought maybe it was just me!)
The third article very clearly supports the notion of environment having a 
heavy influence on test score results, the second article is simply a treatise
on the failure of ETS's SAT to accurately predict academic achievement 
(nothing to do with the "nature vs nurture" argument vis a vis *intelligence*),
and the first was the standard stuff of proponents of the "nature" theory of 
IQ prediction.  In other words, the first and third articles contradict each
other.

I mean, let's face it -- the nature/nurture argument has been around and
discussed for decades, and it's unlikely that it will be settled here.

-- 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|    /)                      | Lana Mountford    
|   / /  __    ___    __     | Silicon Graphics  
|__(_/__(__)\__/  )__(__)\__ | Mountain View, CA 
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: Craig.Wagner@p2.f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Craig Wagner)
Sender: Uucp@blkcat.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: More on the AG
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 10:26:28 -0500

  JL> From: jlc5f@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Jean L. Cooper) Newsgroups:
  JL> rec.org.mensa Organization: University of Virginia
  JL> 
  JL> To this end, I made a motion at the AMC meeting of July 4, 1992 (at
  JL> the AG), to form a study committee on the management of future AGs, to
  JL> investigate solutions to this and other questions.  The motion was
  JL> passed and a committee established. If you would like a copy of the
  JL> minutes of the AMC meetings, to get more details on the events taking
  JL> place at them, you can request the minutes from the national office. 
  JL> I will warn you, however, that minutes are usually not available for
  JL> some weeks after the meeting.  It takes me a while to get them typed
  JL> and printed.
  JL> 
  JL> -- Jean L. Cooper Secretary, American Mensa, Ltd. -- Jean L. Cooper   

Jean, since you're the Secretary, could you just post them electronically?  Do
you have the authority to do so?  I realize this newsgroup isn't "official," so
if there's a problem with that, how about on the CompuServe Mensa conference? 
(And if so, would there be any reason someone else couldn't cross-post them
here?)

Craig Wagner
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: werme@alliant.com (Ric Werme)
Subject: Re: daylength
Organization: Alliant Computer Systems Corp.
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 12:28:51 GMT

In article <XmS-J!C@engin.umich.edu>, willism@engin.umich.edu (Mark Benjamin Willis) writes:
> 
> I have a newspaper article somewhere in my files in which a group of 
> scientists created a model of the celestial movements.  They ran the 
> model forward and backward and found a day missing.  They checked the 
> model several times and everything fit perfectly except that a day was
> missing a couple thousand of years ago.  One remembered the Bible story

Big Deal.  Can they explain this?

curly.alliant.com 54% cal 9 1752
   September 1752
 S  M Tu  W Th  F  S
       1  2 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30

-- 
| A pride of lions               | Eric J Werme                 |
| A gaggle of geese		 | 77 Tater St			|
| An odd lot of programmers      | Mont Vernon NH  03057	|
| A Constitution of Libertarians | Phone: 603-673-3993		|
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart)
Subject: Re: genius sperm bank
Organization: AT&T
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 04:29:34 GMT

In article <1992Jul30.233822.28328@ns.draper.com>, skh@draper.com (Kjeld Hvatum) writes:
> Last night, there was a story on TV ("48 Hours", I believe) about a
> "genius" sperm bank progeny, now 8 years old.  The anonymous father was
> described as a world-renowned computer scientist and highly accomplished
> musician.  According to the report, some of the gifted programs in
> California schools have a disproportionate number of these designer
> kids, who're now moving into grade school and beyond, often more quickly
> than most.  This is a very controversial topic among the general public.
> I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned in this newsgroup.

Because it's my business and none of yours, for Pete's sake.

GMS
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa