I realized that “Mensa” didn’t contain enough numerals to be a phone number, and knew it must be understood that any future member would be able to figure out the next two digits in the sequence. I tried dialling MENSANE, MENSAIL, MENSAFE, and MENSAAB, but got three rebuffs and a fax tone.
From “How I Joined MENSA” by Steve Martin
I remember when I grew tall, 6’6" or almost 2 meters, I had moments when I was aware of being a full head above everyone else in a crowd.
Does that sort of thing happen when you’re very smart? Times when you realize you have abilities others don’t?
I wouldn’t know. I just passed the mensa test because I’ve always been good with tests, but I don’t think I’m smarter than anybody in terms of brain horsepower.
However, I’m curious about how things work and retain information like crazy. I’ve come to realize not everybody does that. Some people think I’m really smart but it’s more like I have experience or interest that they don’t have in the thing they think I’m smart at.
Not MENSA, but came to the unfortunate realization that I’m on the skinny side of the intelligence bell curve late in life. For me, I was frustrated that I could not easily relate my thoughts and ideas to others. I’d just get a blank stare or worse. I figured that I was dumb and everybody else knew something that I didn’t. So I kept quiet and kept all my thoughts to myself.
Many years later, I tried again to voice my thoughts and ideas, but would use lots of examples and references to areas where my listener may be familiar. That seemed to work.
It was only when I started talking about my feelings to others when I realized that things in my head work differently. I’m able to absorb information faster and deeper but also extrapolate those learnings to other unrelated areas.