response 125 of 673:

Jul 6 21:23 UTC 2003

I've never done anything with Mensa, but I suppose Mensa favors people
who are good at taking tests and who want to meet other people like them.
Good, but not a formula for an exciting evening.  Grex also attracts
geeks, but on-line at least, it also selects for people who have a
certain ability to say something interesting, or at least type something
interesting.  This gives the Grex a bit of an edge up.  Not that big a
one.  Grex gatherings aren't exactly the nations most sought after social
venue either.  Probably the Mensa test should include an oral portion:

(1) You have three seconds to come up with a witty response to this
    question.

(2) You have three seconds to come up with a charming compliment for this
    member of the opposite sex.

(3) Go out in the street and engage a total stranger in conversation.

OK, I'd probably flunk that test too.  Still, it would select for a set
of people who were more fun at parties.  Maybe it could be an either/or
thing.  People could get in based either on traditional IQ, or on
social IQ.  Then at least you'd have a few people to lubricate gatherings.