Colloquy is, to the best of our knowledge, the first high-IQ society based entirely on the Internet. Currently, Colloquy remains entirely Internet-based and cost-free to members. It is created as a forum for the collegial sharing of thoughts, experiences, and creative expression among people of superior intelligence. Defining our terms, what could be considered as superior intelligence? Statistically, perhaps arbitrarily, the highest half-percent of the general populace are placed into this category, at 2.58 standard deviations above the mean. Assuming a 15.5 s.d., this level is 140 IQ... not that undue emphasis should be placed upon such tests. Intelligence is a curious quality, easily recognized while somewhat elusive when precise definitions are sought. Consider the contemporary theories of Gardner and Sternberg, which recognize multiple aspects of intelligence.Unfortunately, proliferating high-IQ groups have all too often failed to satisfy criteria for true intellectual society, where thoughtful consideration of ideas would banish ad hominem rantings of bigots while nurturing free and civil discussion. In widespread correspondence, we voiced the idea that a worthy intellectual society might thrive on the Internet. Respecting the maturity of potential members, why not dispense with both dues and paper trail, leaving newsletters as an option for enterprising members? Though beginning with the e-list group as a seedbed of discussion, the central concept is the nurturance of a permanent, living "journal" linking member pages in an unfolding treasury of mind. This creative effort is not only for the members of Colloquy but as well for Friends, co-adventurers, scholars, and dilettantes... in particular for talented folk who visualize the potential offered by the Internet for the building of delightful bridges of mind and heart.
How do I become a Member? Which test scores qualify for admission to Colloquy?
In the last twenty-five years, more than a dozen high-level intelligence tests have been assembled by persons of varying credentials in the field of psychological measurements. Many of these represent serious effort, with some attention by the designers given to documentation of the normative statistics. Unfortunately, development constraints have left these intriguing high-level tests basically unsupervised, self-administered under non-standard conditions, and relying upon the "honor system" without any effective controls on test materials. As with tests available directly on the Internet, some are better than others, but even the best in design have scant recognition among psychologists and academicians accredited in the field. Caveat emptor! Those matters aside, if you have achieved test scores indicative of very superior intelligence and are committed to the principle of congenial discussion, you may find Colloquy a worthwhile experience.
