Originally posted by coquettetruth be known, if this forum such as it is were fractured or significantly changed we'd miss it and attempt to create it again.
pick a finger
stick your thumb in it
experts only
masters only
grandmasters only
great grandmasters only
honest people only
liars only
truth seekers
smelly toes
musicians
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyI think we have reached critical mass for a "Beating dead horses forum" and a "Preaching to the choir forum". I would also reserve one forum for youtube links, otherwise banned at all other forums.
truth be known, if this forum such as it is were fractured or significantly changed we'd miss it and attempt to create it again.
Originally posted by moonbusYears ago when I was encouraging my son Eric to consider joining Mensa he quipped: "Dad, why would I want to join a club that needed me?" No idea if he was paraphrasing Marx or not but will ask him next email or call. Thanks, moonbus.
GB: " except private club forums "
"I wouldn't belong to a club that would have me as member." --Marx
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyNice anecdote about Mensa. They like to think of themselves as the most exclusive club in the world--only open to the top 0.x % of the population who pass their entrance IQ test. I belong to the even more exclusive club of those who passed their test (I wrote them a letter explaining the errors in it but they never replied) and then rejected their invitation to join. Send my regards to Eric; we're a club of two now.
Years ago when I was encouraging my son Eric to consider joining Mensa he quipped: "Dad, why would I want to join a club that needed me?" No idea if he was paraphrasing Marx or not but will ask him next email or call. Thanks, moonbus.
Originally posted by moonbusDefinitely will mention your simpatico to my son. Curious as to whether "the errors" were in substance or format (or other).
Nice anecdote about Mensa. They like to think of themselves as the most exclusive club in the world--only open to the top 0.x % of the population who pass their entrance IQ test. I belong to the even more exclusive club of those who passed their test (I wrote them a letter explaining the errors in it but they never replied) and then rejected their invitation to join. Send my regards to Eric; we're a club of two now.
"Curious as to whether "the errors" were in substance or format (or other)."
There is a type of question often seen on IQ tests of the following form: "any integers x,y,z--what is the next number in the series?" And you're given a selection of a,b,or c.
There was a proof published in the 1970s that it cannot be proven that no possible algorithm will produce any next number, given x,y,z. Therefore, any answer is correct--a,b,c,d or even x,y,or z--given some possible algorithm. I anticipate the probable reply: 'find the most likely next number in the series.' To which I say, pfui and PFUI again! Intelligence is not about finding what anybody else would most likely find, but about inventing something nobody else ever thought of. If Mensa is looking for genius, they should be testing other things than the obvious.
Example: what is the next number in the series 1,2,3? If you say 4, you're not a waltzer, because the next numbers would 1,2,3, 1,2,3, etc.
It is also possible, on some algorithm, that there is no next number, that the series is complete as is.
I called these observations to the attention of Mensa but never received a reply.
Way off topic, this. Maybe we should start a new thread about Uber-nerdiness.
Originally posted by moonbusWe are a club of 3. I also turned them down.
Nice anecdote about Mensa. They like to think of themselves as the most exclusive club in the world--only open to the top 0.x % of the population who pass their entrance IQ test. I belong to the even more exclusive club of those who passed their test (I wrote them a letter explaining the errors in it but they never replied) and then rejected their invitation to join. Send my regards to Eric; we're a club of two now.
Originally posted by moonbusOut of my depth, moonbus, though I'm fascinated with the concept; any other examples of Mensa's 'testing for the obvious'?
"Curious as to whether "the errors" were in substance or format (or other)."
There is a type of question often seen on IQ tests of the following form: "any integers x,y,z--what is the next number in the series?" And you're given a selection of a,b,or c.
There was a proof published in the 1970s that it cannot be proven that no possible algorithm will pr ...[text shortened]... ceived a reply.
Way off topic, this. Maybe we should start a new thread about Uber-nerdiness.
Originally posted by caissad4Whoopee! We be three! We can snub our noses at them all now.
We are a club of 3. I also turned them down.
Someone who writes symphonies at age three is very likely to score well on IQ tests, but scoring well on an IQ test is a poor indicator of whether one is likely to write a symphony in the next three years. I came to the conclusion that IQ tests test the ability to take IQ tests and nothing more.