Colloquy is, to the best of our knowledge, the first high-IQ society based entirely on the Internet. 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.
Should you not have at hand any acceptable score documentation, you may take the Miller Analogies Test at any of six hundred locations worldwide. Present fee is about US$55 (as of April, 2000), so this is one of the most affordable of the group tests. Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices provides a contrasting measure, focused more on non-verbal items than the Miller. Please refer to our link page on educational testing for additional information. Many universities also offer the Graduate Record Exam on a regular basis and counseling centers may be able to offer some IQ tests on an individual basis. The Cattell Culture-Fair tests are available to qualified psychologists from the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing. Many psychologists also admister the new Wechsler Advanced Intelligence Scale (WAIS III) or Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices, though obviously the fees will be much higher than those for the proctored group tests sponsored by Mensa or educational centers.
Resource Links on Mind, Intelligence, and Intellectual Societies
Current Theories on Ability MeasurementHigh-Level Intelligence, History, ... and More!
Online Psychological Tests for Self-Awareness
Links to Webpages of Colloquy Members
Colloquy list archive on eGroups, beginning March, 2000
