Genius Idiots

High IQ Societies

There are over 90 so-called High IQ societies with varying degrees of stability, according to, “A Short (and Bloody) History of the High I.Q. Societies.”

There is even a separate society that connects 45 High IQ societies called the World Intelligence Network.

All these organizations are exclusive. The criteria for membership in any of these societies is a measure of a common characteristic called, “intelligence,” as defined by each society.

“Intelligence,” according to these societies, is something that can be measured by means of certain tests variously called IQ tests, or intelligence tests. There are a great many of them.

None of these tests actually measure anything that can be called intelligence, as though the human mind’s potential could be measured like a muscle’s strength or an eye’s visual acuity. The most any such tests can do is determine how well an individual can do on a particular kind of test on any particular day.

Intelligence is not an ability that can be measured—intelligence is a potential to be developed. There may be differences in individual mental potential but within the limits of that potential the only limit on how far any individual can learn and think and develop their intellect is totally dependent on the effort they are willing to put into that development. There is no way to test what an individual has or will choose to do with their own mind.

Every individual is different, including the abilities and characteristics they are born with. Some individuals will have physical abilities others do not and some will have certain mental characteristics that may seem to be superior, like exceptional memory, sense of spatial relations, or specific aptitudes. These are all only raw materials the individual must choose (or not) to develop. Even if one is born with superior physical and psychological abilities, (called, “gifted,”), unless they choose to develop those abilities, they will remain as ignorant and stupid as an individual born with every possible genetic defect.

No matter what mental abilities one might have, even if they could be discovered by means of some kind of tests, the one ability that cannot be tested for, and the most important characteristic of the human mind, is the ability to think for one’s self, originally and creatively. There is no way to test for individual’s potential for innovation and inventiveness—there is no way to test for what no one else has ever thought before.

Anti-Individualism

The desire to, “join,” something, to be a member of some organization, society, or class is a kind of human defect. If one’s identity, who and what they are, must be defined by their membership in some collective, the need for reassurance that they are, “somebody,” a part of something important, it is because they can find no identity or importance in their own self. The fully competent free individual does not need or desire to be a member of anything.

In my article, What Is an Individualist, under the section, “Self-sufficient and Self-responsible,” I wrote:

“The individualist is totally confident in his own ability to make his own living, to make right choices, and to bear the responsibility for those choices; he is not dependent on anyone else, in any way. He neither desires or will accept the unearned or undeserved, he does not accept anyone’s unasked, “help,” and does not need it, and does not offer it to others.

“He does not seek or require anyone else’s agreement or approval before acting (and resents any kind of restriction on his life that forces him to get anyone else’s approval or consent to do anything).

“The individualist needs no one to “motivate” him, he is self-motivated; it is his life and his love of it that are his motivation. He neither follows or leads others, though others may choose to follow him. All his actions are his own and for himself; all other relationships are secondary.”

Most people are not individualists. Individualists are always exceptional. Most people do need to be a part of some collective, a society, or race, or nationality, or some other ethnic identity. They cannot stand alone or think for themselves or be comfortable without the agreement and approval of others. Such organizations as High IQ societies, like all other kinds of fraternities and clubs, exist to fulfill that need in some of those individuals.

For the free individual, however, in spite of the appeal of intellectual superiority and the promise of a higher level of intellectual dialogue, such organizations are, like all others, collectivist in nature. They cannot be otherwise, and will always be anti-individualist, and ultimately, opposed to living as a free individual.

Nothing Special About Geniuses

If one expects anything exceptional in any of these High IQ societies they are certain to be disappointed.

The Colloquy society describes itself as, “high-IQ society based entirely on the Internet,” …, “for talented folk who visualize the potential offered by the Internet for the building of delightful bridges of mind and heart.”

Under, In the Spirit of Collegial Inquiry is this insightful comment by one of its members:

“LDL: But, does a high IQ cause a happiness disability? Of course not! Is it good for nothing? Well, IQ tests test the ability to take IQ tests and, perhaps, a need to have some sort of social validation. Those who have high IQs seem little more, if any, resistant to suggestibility, to dishonesty, to various forms of superstition, to screwing up their lives, to depression, to anxiety, to mental and physical affliction, to maintaining life-threatening habits, or to unhappy relationships.” [Emphasis mine.]

Same Old Collectivist Nonsense

The International Society for Philosophical Enquiry, [ISPE] describes itself as, “a democratic organization. The membership is completely inclusive. It espouses no causes. … Members enjoy fellowship, achieve life goals, help each other, help others and benefit Humanity individually as well as through teams and programs.

Under ISPE Goals it is stated: “ISPE membership is completely inclusive. It officially espouses no causes and no political agenda. It is a democratic organization.”

In resting that these geniuses do not recognize a contradiction. Any fourth-grade child would know that, “democracy,” is a, “political,” position and could never write, “ISPE … espouses … no political agenda. … It is a democratic organization.”

It goes on to say, “It welcomes all regardless of race, creed, religion, sexuality or gender identity,” which are not neutral positions, but a hodge-podge of contradictory views—peaceful Quakers and militant Muslims are equally welcome.

ISPE is as political as any other collective.

“Naturally, we have no tolerance for views that advance or encourage any criminal activity or thought, or any racist, misogynist, xenophobic or other intolerant behaviors. If you post anything that violates any criminal laws, we will identify you to the proper legal authorities and cooperate fully with their requests to assist them.”

Idiots confuse, “legal,” with, “moral.” If the law of some country forbids certain speech, these idiots will report you to, “the proper legal authorities,” if you break that law. When the laws are immoral, it is immoral to obey them. This is nothing more than statism.

The oldest of the current crop of High-IQ Societies is Mensa.

Mensa is described as, “a round-table society where ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational and social background are all completely irrelevant.”

That, at least, is commendable. None of those things are ever relevant in any social relationships, but unfortunately it immediately contradicts this argument: “Mensa has members from so many different countries and cultures, each with differing points of view; so, for Mensa to espouse a particular point of view would go against its role as a forum for ALL points of view.” One cannot accept, “all points of view,” and also reject views that make “ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational or social background,” as basis for evaluating others. These geniuses do seem to have a problem identifying contradictions.

“The three stated purposes of Mensa are always the same:

1. to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity;
2. to encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence;
3. to provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members.

Only the first of these is significant. It is repeated in the Mensa Constitution: “A. Intelligence should be used for the benefit of humanity. Therefore, Mensa shall have no aim which is to the disadvantage of the community.”

These organizations claim to have no political agenda, but every one of them is essentially a collectivist organization that places the purpose of individual life and ability outside the individual. The purpose of one’s intelligence is not for the sake of humanity or the community, but the individual whose intelligence it is. It’s only purpose is the means to the life, success, and happiness of the individual.“

H.L. Mencken said, “So long as there are men in the world, 99 percent of them will be idiots,” and that includes the geniuses who cannot figure out what individual intelligence is or what it is for.

—(01/08/2021)

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