I realized that “Mensa” didn’t contain enough numerals to be a phone number, and knew it must be understood that any future member would be able to figure out the next two digits in the sequence. I tried dialling MENSANE, MENSAIL, MENSAFE, and MENSAAB, but got three rebuffs and a fax tone.
From “How I Joined MENSA” by Steve Martin
Every once in a while (like happened today), my stultophobia/ilithiophobia gets triggered enough, I feel like I need a safe space to hide from it all, with intelligent people, but then I instantly remember, that one aptitude’s a weak measure, and there could be many unwise [and emotionally unintelligent, unethical, etc] people there in MENSA too. And if I get past that to look into it any further, I’m then immediately greeted with the “Oh good grief, no!” of it all. Like the replies to this post provided. Thanks, everybody.
Could qualify. Won’t try.
Also, I’m just barely smart enough to know I’m not smart enough (in general (for life, the universe, and everything), not for MENSA). And it’s daunting that others blind themselves into even bigger dumb by thinking they’re among the very smartest. Just take a look at that boastful guy with the >200 iQ… sound wise? Or sound smugnorant? Not to mention try-hard with a lot for his ego to live up to. May be wise to be like Socrates, and dismiss any invites asserting certainty of being the wisest. It’s good to know one does not know. Good to watch S06E09 of Star Trek Deep Space Nine, and realise the dangerous folly of deluding yourself to be smart [or even worse, the smartest]. A MENSA membership must be a terrible challenge to realising and remember that (for some more than others, and so, damned if you don’t realise, and no point being a member if you do). There’s always more.