>
> Apart from this, however, (and I must say that I question my own suggestion of merit) does mensa do anything significant for anyone outside its own membership?

I have just passed the admissions test and have not yet even attended a meeting. But, I am guessing it to be like most 'clubs' in that it is much more important to its members then to the general public. Aside from possible charity work, I don't know of any services they would provide.

To me, getting in is similar to winning first place in an art show. I know that my talents are God-given and I have limited control over them, but I still enjoy having them recognized.

>
> As an aside, I heard an interesting "fact" about the origin of I.Q. tests. If what I heard was true, when they were originally designed, women had higher I.Q. scores, on average, than men. The tests were reorganized and redesigned to "level the playing field", so to speak (or write). I wonder what that means if it is true. Does it mean that women really are, in general, more intelligent than men in the areas originally tested for?

Oh yes, girls are definitely smarter than boys. ;)

Are I.Q. tests completely worthless?

Probably

Should mensa have a largely female membership?

I don't know what the ratio is but I'll let you when I've been to a few meetings.

~Angela