This is such a mean-spirited article. It doesn't capture any of the reasons that I was glad to join Mensa.
We let our membership lapse, 20+ years ago, but not for any reasons to do with the organization or its membership.
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/08/my-week-with-americas-smartest-people.html
@estherschindler it depends on the chapter of MENSA... i refused to join (Boston chapter) because they were all, well, incels. they refused to believe women could possibly be intelligent.
I was invited to join Mensa when I was 16 and again when I was 18.
I thought the idea was exciting but the guys (and they were all guys) I met made me deeply uncomfortable. Stories I've heard through the years have backed up that feeling. There is a problem with sexual harassment and a definitely high number of Ayn Randian libertarians.
I've also met folks who are members who are delightful, and who clearly get a lot out of it. I agree it depends on the chapter.
@tyghebright @estherschindler i'm pretty sure i was only invited to join because my name led them to believe i was male... the misogyny is deep in that chapter, at least. it put me off ever exploring the idea any further. i dislike snobbery of any kind, but misogynist snobbery is really annoying
I was many years pre-transition, so the name they saw was definitely feminine... My invites were based on exceptionally high standardized test scores (and a very high IQ score)... though I think the invite came from a national organization, whereas the people I met were from the L.A. chapter.
Not entirely sure. It was a LONG time ago
@tyghebright Absolutely it varies by chapter and time period. In the 80s, Phoenix Mensa was marvelously _open to all_. The first trans person I met was in Mensa; people were curious, friendly, interested.
And I don't recall any invitations (except personal referrals). I never encountered any, anyway.
@redenigma