I read on MSN about a dating site for smart people. MSN was uber-sarcastic about it, but I thought it looked cool. Smart people=yum. Smart nerds also=yum. My kinda site.
You have to pass an “IQ” test to join the site, and well, read the letter I sent them:
Dear Sirs/Madams:
I have to complain about your supposed “IQ” test. In your attempt to be “culture-fair” you have eliminated whole categories of intelligence from your test, and you are testing only visual/spatial intelligence.
I am a published author and a former member of Mensa. I have previously tested very high on IQ tests, especially in the areas of linguistic and logical intelligence, neither of which your test addresses, since you avoid the use of language.
I failed your “IQ” test. I realize that writing to complain sounds whiny and self-serving; no one likes failing such a test, and so I considered not writing. But honestly, you are driving away highly verbal people with poor spatial skills (I am left/right impaired, get lost even with my GPS, and cannot for the life of me get a high score on Tetris). It seems like you’re not “IntelligentPeople.com” so much as “VisualPeople.com” or “MapReaders.com.” In terms of finding a life partner, no one really needs to drill down to the spatially intelligent.
I am sorry that I will not be signing up for your service.
Regards,
Deborah Lipp
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I’ll let you know if I get a response.
Absolutely right. I’ve always scored high on IQ tests, but if they were reduced to only spatial intelligence I’d probably fall into the sub-moron class. I have a miserable sense of direction. My friends and family know they have to give me clear and detailed directions to a place I’ve never been before or I’m sure to get lost. I’m even confused when coming up into the street out of the subway, often having to walk a block before I’m sure where I am.