As a relative outsider who doesn't really "know" any of you, and as a person
who has known both Mensans and LD kids for whom I've acted as an advocate
and been very involved with, it strikes me that you are all making good
points and none of them really negate the other--for instance....

1. Intelligence, as measured by IQ, is a guarantee of neither success in
business or in personal life, nor is it a measure of street smarts or
humanity. Anyone, no matter how they rank in IQ (still a pretty nebulous
term), can be utterly and abysmally ignorant.

2. Just as the resources for LD kids are pitiful and they are often treated
badly within our systems, so are gifted kids often left to struggle. None of
them has asked for it, none of them deserve the treatment they often receive
because they don't fall into that "norm" that school systems so covet these
days. At a time when resources have been pulled out of our educational
systems, teachers struggle to deal with the vast range of skill sets,
backgrounds, and personal issues kids bring to the classroom, and often
aren't equipped educationally to deal with the special requirements of those
kids on both the upper and lower ends of the scale in learning environments.
Moreover, kids with learning disabilities that require that they be taught
in a different manner or environment (such as dyslexics or ADD kids) often
end up at the bottom end just because their teachers don't have the time,
the skill sets or the resources (or even sometimes, sadly, the desire) to
accommodate them and so they end up flagging when they shouldn't.

3. Mensans aren't inherently evil just because they rank at the upper end of
the IQ scale and join together--in fact, many of the Mensans I've met have
been kind, shy people who are anything but arrogant. Rather, they join their
group to be with others they can feel comfortable with. Just as LD kids get
ridiculed, so do the so-called "smart" kids. Both groups find themselves
targets of ridicule because they don't fit into that mushy middle.

4. Ridicule and verbal abuse hurts and causes huge gaping wounds in the
psyche that are difficult to overcome, no matter why it's been heaped upon
you.

5. In the end, we are all islands unto ourselves, and must find ways to feel
confidence in ourselves in order to go forward--ways that reach deep down.
If we don't or can't, our lives will be far less than they could otherwise
be, both for ourselves and our families. For some of us--those not fortunate
enough to experience a loving and nurturing family environment or marriage,
as well as those who have experienced trauma or tragedy in their lives--that
will prove far more difficult than for others.

may all of you find peace and happiness wherever your path takes you,

dawn


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray Broussard" <raybroussard@cox.net>
To: <dreamweaver@lists.blueworld.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 2:38 PM
Subject: Re: [OT] Stupidity


> >....so if i.q. isn't the measure of success...why have an association
> >that has that as it's only requirement?
> >
> >
> >Respectfully
> >
> >Kim
>
> Success can be achieved. IQ can only be measured. They are unrelated.
> I don't know exactly why there is an association where a high IQ is
> the only requirement. According to Mensa's web site, the purpose of
> Mensa is:
> 1. Identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity.
> 2. Encourage research in the nature, characteristics, and uses of
intelligence.
> 3. Provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for members.
> --
> Ray Broussard
> http://www.PhotographicVR.com
> http://www.NewOrleansVR.com/



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