Does learning come easy to mensa members and the intellectually gifted?

Question

I'm wondering if mensa members have to work really hard at it, or if learning is second nature to them... To what degree?

Answer 1

Technically I would qualify to be a member of Mensa but I would not say that learning comes easy to me, or that I’m intellectually gifted. In fact, I envy most of the skills that people with an average IQ take for granted, skills such as reading and writing. You see, I did not learn to read until I was 10 years old which much later then most children. Originally it was thought that I suffered from neurological damage until I scored a 130 on an IQ test. Then I was diagnosed as dyslexic and sent to a school for children that suffered similar learning problems. I can’t begin to tell you how frustrating it was to be a normal child that was sent to a school for learning disabled students, all the while being told 'you're a bright kid'. But luckily I learned to read and write which allowed me to reenter a traditional school system. Since then I’ve done much better in school, my IQ has significantly increased, but because of my dyslexia I still struggle with reading and writing.

There are things that come easier to me then most people such as logic, spatial and math problems; which is i'm majoring in math and physics. But I will never know what its like to make dean's list, write a novel, learn a second language… win at scrabble. I feel very uncomfortable when people label me as smart because I have never felt that way. Besides I do not think that intelligence can be defined which is why the entire idea of Mensa feels kind of wrong to me.

Answer 2

Intellectually gifted "retain" knowledge.
Buy a couple of Mensa Puzzle Books. They will occupy your time while waiting for doctor's appointments or when there is nothing on TV.
Most people can learn when motivated to do so.
The more you know, the smarter you are. Do you agree?

Answer 3

No actually MENSA members are pretty stupid.. I used to be a memeber and several other friends were.. not the brightest people on the planet.. they couldt work themselves outta a realy live situatuon if thier lives depended on it MENSA is a in JOKE" to most people that actually have a 101 IQ

Answer 4

Mainly it depends on the person, the topic and the setting. Some have to work hard to learn, but once it is learned it is never forgotten, others have photographic memory, and still others have an easy time learning new material, while retaining old material.

Sometimes, the person is strong in once but lacking in others. I know many that are brilliant, but as dumb as doorknobs when it comes to common sense.

Answer 5

Learning is REALLY easy for me.
BUT
don't tell me something, let me read it or write it down whatever it is.
And DON'T tell me where things are-
give me a map.
I have horrible problems with verbal descriptions of spatial relationships.
IQ about 130, just about MENSA level.
Happier bein' me.