MENSA: A Strange Association
I have discovered a curious association, by chance... The word means table in Latin. This association has made us laugh, but also think. So, if you like to laugh while untying your meninges, you'll be well served. We suggest it. It seems like that association is a breeding ground for "big heads". A sort of selective club for robust and well-muscled brain; for few elected well screened; for few exceptions passed to a fine-tooth comb. These elites have to prove themselves before being accepted; and this, after a stern and intelligent examination. I don’t know if you're like me, but I've never tried this robust and well-muscled contest. Not because I am afraid to fail the test, and denied entry into that association composed of creatures with very specific IQ (Intelligence Quotient), but rather that I have some doubts regarding the definition of intelligence. MENSA and intelligence By the way, what is intelligence? Here is what a medical dictionary says: "Power to know and understand." And a regular dictionary says: "1) The mind with its ability to conceive and understand. 2) The way each mind understands." Ok. But the ability to know, understand and conceive what, or who? The way each mind understands what or who? As we have already proposed, intelligence could be: "The ability to provide new solutions to new problems." And why not? Viewed like that, it seems unnecessary to take the Mensa’s test; because I believe that I possess, me too, the ability to bring new solutions to new problems. Our definition of intelligence pleases us, because it has the merit to be more convenient and practical. Although someone could return the quip to me: "The ability to provide what new solutions to what new problems?" Anyway... In fact all this conversation shows that intelligence is a broad and complex faculty; perhaps too vast to be defined. And if there is a definition, it is good to be prudent. Sometimes, researchers who conclude that some people, race or civilization are more or less intelligent than others, conclude so for personal reasons. Most of the time, these researchers have a hidden agenda that orientates their research. With this kind of research, these specialists work to prove the conclusions they have already decided and reached. They have already made up their mind. In fact their approach is the opposite of a scientific approach, as you can see. They conclude first, and demonstrate after... Other scientists, who categorize intelligence, do so because for them: «Intelligence is synonymous with some achievements that they consider to be intelligent achievements.» But watch very carefully: «Some of these achievements, viewed as intelligent achievements, are plunging the world into uncertainty.» Intelligence should also lead to true success and happiness. Why use our intelligence at our own expense? So caution... Because there are several forms of intelligence, depending of peoples and civilizations. Without being a great intelligence, I'll tell you the substance of my thoughts. I'm not so sure that people of Papuan New Guinea or Pygmy of Africa are more or less intelligent than other people. Each of them has «the ability to provide new solutions to their new problems.» Well! Those two groups of people seem to cope quite well. Some civilizations considered less intelligent, have left us a legacy of puzzles that people seek in vain to solve: The pyramids of Égypte, the Easter Island, the quipu knots (quipou, quipo or khipu), flying saucers, and so on. For your general culture, if you like puzzles and many other information on the epic of civilizations, read the book of Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier: Le Matin des Magiciens. Editions Gallimard, 1960. Be aware that this is not a book of magic. At the Institute of Human Cultivation (IHC), in this site, we do not promote magic, witchcraft, occultism or anything else associated with it. But we are not naive. By experience, we know that these things exist; and act. And if you want a good advice, a friendly advice: stand clear from magic, witchcraft, occultism or anything else associated with it. Download your free book: Learn how to write and communicate efficiently Build a website that brings you success They will build a successful website for you MENSA: back to our sheeps But let’s get back to our sheeps. The members in good standing of Mensa, have the merit of having passed a test of intelligence; a test among many others. But for a long time, applied psychology has been warning to be careful with the results of intelligence tests. However, with its exercises and games, Mensa has the merit of pushing us to think quickly and well; to think differently. The ability to think is accelerated and refined by the exercises and games of this association. The exercises and games that this club offers are likely to untie meninges. These games and exercises develop the sense of perception (in multi dimensions), logical mind, the ability to solve problems, the aptitude to grasp the time and space; attention and concentration are sharpened, patience is put to the test, and much more. All these transferable skills can be applied in many domains of life (health, sexuality, business, human relations, economy, politics, religion, etc.) I also have the conviction that by stirring so our meninges, we keep them younger, longer, and make them more effective. The brain is a muscle, so to speak. So bring your brain to the gym! That is why, to live on "good terms" with Mensa, I suggest their websites: Click on: National groups, to chose a language www.Mensa.fr www.mensa.org/workout2.php Stir you meninges and stretch your brain www.FunEducation.com
You will find their books in a library or bookshop. But be aware of imitations. Check the logo that you see in their official website: www.Mensa.org In fact, what is Mensa? Here's what they say about themselves on their websites: "Mensa is an international club founded in Oxford in 1946 and now comprising approximately 100 000 members in a hundred countries throughout the world. Mensa is open to anyone with high intellectual potential (2 percentiles first on any test approved and passed under appropriate conditions)." "Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill (a lawyer), and Dr. Lance Ware (scientific and jurist). They had the idea of founding a company made up of intelligent people; one of the qualifications required for membership is having a large IQ (Intelligence Quotient). In the beginning the goals were, as indeed they are now, to create an apolitical society; non-racial and without religious distinctions. The official goals of this society are: • Identify and elevate human intelligence for the benefit of mankind. • Encourage research about nature, characteristics and use of intelligence. • To provide its members with an exciting intellectual and social environment. The company welcomes those who have an IQ higher than 98% of the population. These members aim to have a good time together, and participate in many social and cultural activities. For your information, there are three kinds of intelligence test: the tests of general intelligence, aptitude tests and personality tests. These three types of tests are designed to detect the presence of certain characters, certain dispositions (psychological or intellectual). In our fun with Mensa tests, we found that the club had a little of all these three types of test. General intelligence tests are used to determine the I.Q of a subject. The IQ is a number obtained by dividing the mental age by the real age. The mental age is provided by a test (not necessary Mensa test). These tests are usually verbal (vocabulary tests, logic tests, riddles, coded message to decipher, mental arithmetic, etc.). Aptitude tests are used to identify specific technical skills such as speed, movement coordination, ability to handle numbers, eyesight and hearing acuity, etc. They are both psychological and physiological. And used to vocational guidance (school, job, etc). Personality tests, are composed of questionnaires and projective tests. They explore the character (temper, emotivity, trends, etc.). The best known is the Rorschach test. The I.Q has no absolute meaning. It indicates a position on someone in relation to others of his age. An IQ may vary over time and space. We must therefore use them with a critical mind, a position of detachment and cautiously. Now science knows that the dunce (crab) or presumed idiot is sometimes an intelligent child, but victim of teaching methods that do not suit him; an environment that does not suit him; or is perturbed by internal conflicts.
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