Comment by corndog on What do fellow rationalists think about Mensa? · 2010-03-16T14:27:44.084Z · LW · GW

This thread is a bit old, but I just found it. Please bear with me and my late reply.

My opinion is that Mensa should have nothing to do with your CV. The concern about boasting or trying to appear superior is a valid one, so I'd recommend just keeping it quiet when applying for work.

However, there is a lot more to life than your CV. One of the keys to success in life is to learn that the most important asset anyone can have (more important than intelligence, creativity, leadership ability, aptitudes, people skills, or good looks, while some or all of those may very well be important, however less) is their connections to other people. Never burn a bridge behind you without knowing for sure that there's no other option. And if ever a chance to meet and network with a new group of people comes up, jump on it!

That's the true value of Mensa - it's a networking opportunity. If you really are "too intelligent to care about Mensa" then you've missed out on a group of people that might provide you with interesting connections and conversation, mix of ideas, and the opportunity to rub shoulders with people who just may change your life. OR you may just change theirs. It works both ways. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. We're social creatures. Why not make use of that when an opportunity presents?