Episode 1: IQ and the Average Girl

01/01/20 • 38 min

Welcome to My Year in Mensa, episode one!

NOTE: ALL NAMES IN THIS PIECE HAVE BEEN CHANGED. This is a first-person account based on my own writing and experience within the group, and the rest is sourced below. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out at [email protected].

Theme song by Sadie Dupuis (@sad13)

Featuring the voices of Miles Gray, Caitlin Durante, Jacquis Neal, Anna Hossnieh, Danl Goodman, Ify Nwadiwe, Dani Fernandez, Maggie Mae Fish, Shereen Lani-Younes, Isaac Taylor, and Jack O'Brien.

Music used in this episode:

"Through the Crystal" by Jeremy Blake: from the free YouTube Audio Library

"Absolutely Nothing" by Jeremy Blake: from the free YouTube Audio Library

"Lost and Found" by Jeremy Blake: from the free YouTube Audio Library

Eric Andre goes to Mensa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-pAWbqdyuY

"Welcome to HorrorLand Kevin MacLeod" (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

All sources for this series can be found at: http://jamieloftusisinnocent.com/myyearinmensasources

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01/01/20 • 38 min

20 Listeners

My Year in Mensa - Episode 1: IQ and the Average Girl

Transcript Summary

In the debut episode of "My Year in Mensa" by Jamie Loftus, the history and controversy surrounding intelligence testing and IQ are explored. Loftus initially joins Mensa as a joke and intends to mock the experience, but soon finds herself targeted by a secretive Facebook group. The episode delves into the discriminatory applications of IQ tests, the misconceptions surrounding high IQ societies, and the blurred lines between fixed intelligence and its augmentation. Loftus aims to analyze group dynamics within Mensa and shed light on how organizations like Mensa have evolved over time. This thought-provoking podcast provides an in-depth exploration of intelligence testing and its societal implications, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the subject.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:02.560

Is that smarts. Hi. My name is Jamie Loftus, and this is the first episode of My Year in Mensa, a four part podcast series about that time I joined Mensa as a joke and then nearly got kicked out of it after getting targeted by a secret Facebook group. There's obviously more to it than that, but I've got to get you interested now. I want to be clear that I am not doing this podcast series too strictly dunk on the mensines. I will be dunking on the

Episode 1: IQ and the Average Girl Top Questions Answered

What is the history of the IQ test and its connection to discriminatory practices?

The history of the IQ test is intertwined with discriminatory practices and eugenics.

Who is Charles Spearman and what were his beliefs regarding intelligence?

Charles Spearman, co-founder of Mensa, believed in eugenics and the fixed nature of intelligence.

What is the controversial book "The Bell Curve" about?

"The Bell Curve" is a controversial book that supports the idea that intelligence is determined by genetics.

How did the speaker initially plan to write about her MENSA experience?

The speaker had initially planned to take the MENSA admission test and write about her experience in a column.

What were Alfred Binet's intentions when designing IQ tests?

Alfred Binet designed IQ tests to measure learning progress, not as a measure of inherent intelligence.

What are the criticisms of high IQ societies like MENSA?

High IQ societies like MENSA have been criticized for being elitist and based on flawed IQ tests.

How do high IQ societies view intelligence compared to Alfred Binet's beliefs?

High IQ societies view intelligence as a permanent state, while Binet believed intelligence could change.

What led to the creation of the concept of general intelligence?

Charles Spearman introduced the concept of general intelligence based on correlations between test sections.

What is "My Year in Mensa" podcast series about?

"My Year in Mensa" is a four-part podcast series about the speaker's experience in Mensa.

What are some controversies surrounding Mensa Annual Gatherings?

Mensa Annual Gatherings have had safety concerns and controversies, including allegations of harassment and drugged drinks.

Show more Questions

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