From: wombat@nfinit.enet.dec.com (Christopher M. Conway)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Tai's bitches about Mensa
Date: 29 Jul 92 20:36:51 GMT
Reply-To: wombat@nfinit.enet.dec.com
Organization: Prickly Wombat Enterprises


As best I can see, "Scott Tai" has two bitches about Mensa:

1. It's racist

2. All these intelligent people should be doing something GOOD for
	society rather than just having parties.

Her (*) arguments on point one have *some* validity. There is a woeful paucity
of minorities in *American* Mensa. Many of us have discussed this. I think
that much of the problem is exposure; how many non-whites even know Mensa
exists? Much of our recruiting, if not most, is done word-of-mouth. I know
that's how *I* really found out about it; and that's how the people I've
brought in found out about it. I think that's also how my wife found out
about it, but she's not here to ask. B^{)>

That being said, this is not like the country club that doesn't admit Jews
or similar groups. We're actively *trying* to get minorities into the group.
We are also *not* an organization that has much "networking" going on. There
just isn't a Mensan "old boys network". ( At least, *I've* never found
it B^{)> ). Nor are our activities as exclusive as a country club or similar
organization. Prospective members are always invited to all activities. Most
people who are recruited by other people have gone to an event or two without
even being prospective members. Members are free to bring any guests they
choose, subject to the approval of the person hosting the event; and I have
seen very few incidences where anyone was refused.

As to point two: sorry, "Scott", but you're wrong. Mensa doesn't owe anything
to society. I don't owe anything to society. Society has done nothing but
persecute and isolate me (and *MANY* other intelligent people) precisely
for our intelligence. Tell me why I should give them anything back for this
treatment? It's people like *you* that have turned me against society. Oh,
I don't mind individual people-- I can even occaisonally be friends with
them. But I dislike society intensely. You have no right to tell me what
I "ought" to do. Give me a real reason why I should give society more than
the minimum required for my survival?

Besides, what if I did say anything? People don't listen. They don't like
to hear the hard truths about things. I do happen to be very active in my
own ways. I'm a Libertarian. I've run for office. You know what? They didn't
want someone as smart as I am in office. I've been taken off of juries for
being too intelligent. Please explain how you think society would *ever*
accept anything from Mensa?

Look, "Scott", there are plenty of organizations with intelligent people
in them working for change. Most Libertarians are well educated. I would
suspect most ACLU and Amnesty International supporters (I am both,
incidentally) are also more intelligent than average. Why should I not
be allowed an organization whose sole intent is to have fun?

You have yet to give me a good *reason* to listen to you. You've ignored
most of the responses I've made to you, snipping out small portions of a
larger post when you have deigned to respond. I'm not going to try anymore.
I think that it's time that rec.org.mensa did what talk.abortion did to
one David Rassmussen-- namely, an active boycott. A posting was made every
couple of weeks with the rationale for the boycott and a list of those
participating. The idea was to eliminate the feedback of flaming that "Scott"
so obviously desires, without giving the impression of agreeing with
him. Anyone else interested in such an action?

(*) I'm trying to star using feminine rather than masculine pronouns for
someone of unknown gender, to try to counteract some of the built in
sexism our society has. Since we have no idea of "Scott's" real identity,
her gender is unknown.
--
Boycott Kodak
--------------------------------------------------------------
Christopher M. Conway		| U*ix and C Guru
wombat@nfinit.enet.dec.com      | Legalize Freedom!
wombat@juliet.ll.mit.edu        | Marrou/Lord in '92!
nfinit::wombat (DECnet internal)| (505)761-2413 DTN 552-2413
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