Wow. This card was really something

[Distracted]

I don't think she disapproves of them in general, but she lives in rural Georgia. Not too many job opportunities there, and I think the public elementary schools in her area suffer from "No Child Left Behind" Syndrome. I don't think finances will permit her to return to school just yet, but I ought to suggest that to her for when her youngest is ready for high school. Her years of homeschooling would likely make her an excellent teacher, especially for gifted students. She's already gotten her oldest into college, and the girl is doing great.

So, JT, what did you do with all the card signatures? Did you just print them out from our PM's? I guess that could take a while to convert back to screen names. No rush, but I too would like to see what everyone wrote if it's not too much trouble.

[TPoptarts]

I had a college roommate who was ambidextrous. She could start writing on one side of a blackboard and keep going, switching hands in the middle and you couldn't tell the difference. She had about a 180 IQ and could do differential calculus. She got a BS in math and went on to grad school in biometry. She never learned how to study, though, never needed to I guess, and flunked out of her graduate program. She married an older man after that and had several kids, and now she's a mostly stay at home mom who home schools. Unfortunately, she lost her husband due to cancer several years back and now this woman with a genius level IQ can't get a decent job. The wasted potential kills me, but her kids have the best tutor on the planet. Presumably she's now learned how to study.

^ Yeah you told me about her heh I have like 180 IQ too. Does it have anything to do with ambidexterity though

Well here we go an article about how "Ambidextrous People are Brain-Damaged"

I'm not a brain expert but I disagree about a lot of stuff there. Like for example this part

Converting handedness, whether it be from a dominant left hand to a non-dominant right or the reverse, (especially during writing) does not result in a change in cerebral dominance but rather a multifaceted cerebral disturbance or damage. This functional cerebral damage (dysfunction, blockage, and inhibition of brain functioning) can then be manifest in the following primary disorders: disturbances in memory for all three areas of information processing (encoding, storage, and recall); difficulty in concentration (early fatigue); difficulty in reading and spelling (legasthenic problems); spatial disorientation (e.g. confusion of left and right); speech problems ranging from stammering to stuttering; fine motor disturbances evident in writing and other activities requiring precision.

I can honestly say that the only "primary disorder" from this list affecting me is the reading part and that's actually attributed to my dyslexia, and dyslexia has nothing to do with ambidexterity because it's something one-handed people suffer from as well. No problems with my memory or spatial perception or what the frell ever... and no "fine motor disturbances" (or how else would I be able to draw stuff like the image in my avatar, or sew an 1.5" T'Baby voodoo doll )

The primary consequences can then go on and transform into secondary consequences: feelings of inferiority; shyness; introversion; overcompensation; defiance to belligerence; braggadocio; provocative behavior; bed-wetting; nail-biting; emotional problems that can last into adulthood with neurotic and/or psychosomatic symptomology; and personality disturbances.

Ummmm... okay check the "inferiority", "shyness", "introversion", and "emotional problems"... but trust me when I say that those have nothing to do with being ambidextrous. Instead give the credit to my parents.

And the whole thing about how trying to teach the non-dominant side of the brain to do stuff causes a BRAIN DAMAGE just sounds so ridiculous to me. I mean like don't people learn to perform actions all the time since they're born, with both hands or legs or whatever. Like tying your shoes what you're gonna tie your shoes with one hand only?? Is it damaging my brain that I use both hands to tie my shoes?? Or like I used to be a dancer, does it damage the brain to learn different moves and steps with whatever side?? Does it damage the brain to practice on my karate kicks and punches etc with both arms and legs?? Oh and when it comes to legs I'm so totally predominantly left-legged, it has longer tendons and I'm just so used to doing leg stuff with my left leg so what I can't use my right leg anymore??

Yeah let's teach the world that ambidexterity is wrong. And why don't we put a ban on coordination while we're at it.

[Mitchell]

Congrats Elessar!

Sorry I didnt get round to signing the card. Ive been a tad bit busy.

[Elessar]

Geniuses often have social issues. Look at Sheldon on Big Bang Theory

I tested 154 in kindergarden and 171 in highschool but 171 is like REALLY high so I kind of doubt that one. I believe 140 is considered gifted and 155 is "genius". Plus there's two things about IQ tests that I KNOW of... one, the higher the score, the exponentially HIGHER the margin of error. At 171, the margin of error is like +/- 20 pts I believe. Also the older you get, supposedly the less accurate they are. I also read somewhere that learning languages "increases" your IQ, because it acquaints your mind to thinking on different levels... especially languages of completely different structure - like english versus japanese, or japanese versus spanish, or Hebrew versus Togalog.

I read up ALL about IQ stuff a couple of times and came to find out that today it's losing its reputation as a measure of intellect. Lots and lots of neurologists and psychology groups are starting to say that the broad concept of intellect is much more difficult to quantify, given things like creativity, associative memory, inductive reasoning, etc.

There are some interesting names on the "highest IQ lists"... Bobby Fischer (186), Linus Pauling, von Goethe, Liebnitz, Newton, Franklin, Julius Caesar. To my knowledge, Einstein was never tested.

[TPoptarts]

^ I tested several times at different ages and always got like around 180 give or take a point or two. Not that I really think IQ score has anything to do with anything though. This is something I've said before IMO IQ tests don't measure intelligence, they measure a person's capability of adapting to other people's thought patterns (AKA the test writers). Yeah me and my conspiracy theories well that's what I think anyway. I dunno. I'm just the kinda person who analyzes and dissects stuff like WAY too much and I can't let stuff be without asking why it's the way it is and getting a satisfactory answer. And so having taken several so called IQ tests I just don't think they really have anything to do with intelligence.

Okay rant ahead, duck and cover. Like for example there was that "logic" question that I had to find what 3 numbers have in common and then pick another number that's like them. And the correct answer was supposed to be the number that was like a square. But I didn't pick that one oh nope, I picked the other number from the list that was a multiple of 3. Hey did whoever wrote that question even NOTICE that all those 3 square numbers I was supposed to find something in common between were ALL multiples of 3?? Because I sure did. (And nope none of the choices were BOTH squares and multiples of 3. There was just one square and one multiple of 3 ) Case in point.

Oh and those "one of these things is not like the others" questions like they give you like a list of stuff that you're supposed to pick the different one, um yeah right. I so got lost in those. I mean like for example I remember that one question that the words were like yank, slap, caress, kick and another one I don't remember. And I was like looking at that question like forever and couldn't decide and eventually the tester was like what's wrong, and I was like I can't pick one because they're each different depends how you look at it and he looks at me like and asks me to explain. So I explain that caress could be the different one because it's a gentle action and all the others are like forceful actions. Or alternately yank could be the different one because of the direction of the action, all the other actions are directed from the perpetrator toward whatever, and yank is directed toward the perpetrator. Or yet alternately, it could be kick because it's a leg action versus the other hand actions. See what I mean. Like who the frell knows what whoever made up that question was thinking. But obviously my thinking is like way broader than theirs. I don't even know which one was supposed to be the "correct" answer. But if I picked the "wrong" answer, would it really be wrong? It's still the "different" word, just based on different criteria... which the test writers missed or ignored.

So yeah. That's just examples but that's why I think IQ tests only measure the capability to adapt to the test writers' thought patterns. Or HAVE the same thought patterns. And I'm sorry but I don't think "intelligence" means being a bunch of roboclones. Just because someone thinks one way doesn't make them the top of the crop, and just because someone thinks differently doesn't make them less intelligent or what the frell ever. Those questions don't ask anything about my logic or my intelligence or my ability to process information or whatever. All they ask is "guess what the writers were thinking when they made up this question".

Well I guess I'm pretty good with patterns though. Part of being observant and analyzing stuff to death I guess. I'm pretty good at knowing how people think.

[justTripn]

Well, that wasn't so hard (removing the real names):

Congradulations,
you’re Beta.


Congratulations, John! Safe journey and much satisfaction in all your endeavors. -- Alelou

"Congratulations! Now you can speak to a Vulcan on equal terms. Escriba."

Gratulerar till din examen! KTR. It's Swedish for "Congratulations on your graduation!"

Congrats to you! Now you're playing with the big boys. Have some champagne with lovely bubbles to celebrate. Lys

Congrats, John! Being an officer in the Corps is no mean feat. You have chosen a path of hard work, responsibility, and honor. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor. Semper Fi!
--HopefulRomantic

"My fervid congratulations, your friend Asso"

Have fun at OCS! – CX

If you can't be good, be careful. If you can't be careful, be artistic and frame a friend. Blacknblue

"Felicitaciones !! Good luck at the Marine's training center." Vero3110

John,

You're a braver man than most, and the world would be missing something vital without you, so keep your head down and your ass behind something bulletproof. God Bless You,

Distracted

Congratulations Elessar on your Graduation . Reanok

So you are graduating from the "Academy"
and have been assigned to a "real mission".
The universe is waiting for you to boldly go!

Congratulations,
Linda

Paljon Onnea Elessar, from Bookworm,

Congrats and best wishes, Elessar Evcake

Congratutaions! I'm really happy for you - and good luck with your future endeavors. –krn

Congratulations,
CoffeeCat

Congratulations John! Good luck in the Service, and THANK YOU for serving! – T'Sara

Congratulations! May this great achievement be only the first of the many you will have in your life. A hug. – Pitseleh

Congrats and good luck with everything
-T'Poptarts

Congrats John! Love eKayak and Priso

Congratulations on your graduation Elessar from Estonia, Entilzha

Congratulations-- do great things, be the amazing person we all know you to be, and make us proud! Love and many hugs with best wishes from Emberchyld

Hey that’s what I was going to say! You’re amazing. I’m proud of you!

justTrip’n

[dark_rain]

Sorry TPoptars, but all I'm reading from that quote of yours regarding "converting ambidexturity" is;

Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit.

[JadziaKathryn]

Oh, if I'd been around I would've signed the card too!

So -

Every goal is a milestone, but this is a big ones. Congratulations!
Ad Astra!

[blacknblue]

Regarding IQ, I have always wondered something.

What is the IQ of an illiterate person? If they are illiterate, they can't take the test, right?

And if they learn to read, does their IQ automatically increase?

What about someone who has never been taught basic mathematics? Or who had to drop out of school to go to work? Does that make them stupider than someone with rich parents who stayed in school and went to Harvard or Vassar?

One last item has pondered through my head often. I am nearsighted. I have taken tests before where I misread a question because my glasses were dirty or overdue for changing. Does that mean that if a miss questions on an IQ test and get a low score I am dumb because I neglected to wear the right glasses?

[Asso]

Every measurement instrument can work only if used in homogeneous groups of persons. Only this allows a comparison. Because only if a comparison is made, it can be done an esteem.

[TPoptarts]

Sorry TPoptars, but all I'm reading from that quote of yours regarding "converting ambidexturity" is;

Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit.

Have you tried disabling the language filter?

Regarding IQ, I have always wondered something.

What is the IQ of an illiterate person? If they are illiterate, they can't take the test, right?

And if they learn to read, does their IQ automatically increase?

What about someone who has never been taught basic mathematics? Or who had to drop out of school to go to work? Does that make them stupider than someone with rich parents who stayed in school and went to Harvard or Vassar?

One last item has pondered through my head often. I am nearsighted. I have taken tests before where I misread a question because my glasses were dirty or overdue for changing. Does that mean that if a miss questions on an IQ test and get a low score I am dumb because I neglected to wear the right glasses?

Exactly. And I'm dyslexic so I mix up lines and letters all the time so stuff like that happens to me too. Like once in elementary school I had a test on fractions and one of them was like 7/49, and I mixed it up and copied it as 7/47 which resulted in 3-digit denominators etc etc, but the point is everything else was correct, the way was correct and the solution was correct for 7/47 and my whole test was 100% correct, but the teacher still gave me like a B- just for COPYING it wrong. That's actually forbidden to do that they're only allowed to deduct points if the way is wrong, maybe she was just too stupid and lazy to check something with 3-digit denominators. But still what she did was wrong. (Well and then there's the part that she talked to my mother about it and then I confronted her in my mother's presence that she can't lower grades for like incorrect copying only for incorrect way, and the teacher went off at me that if I can't copy the numbers right then that's my own problem and of course my mother supported her and started yelling at me too. But that's like a totally different story )

And stuff in IQ tests about like general knowledge or whatever. Like what is someone "stupider" if they don't know say which continent Russia is in when they've never even been taught that in the first place?? Is "intelligence" measured by what a person knows or doesn't know or how much?? Or by their ABILITY of learning and applying it??

[justTripn]

Regarding IQ, I have always wondered something.

What is the IQ of an illiterate person? If they are illiterate, they can't take the test, right?

And if they learn to read, does their IQ automatically increase?

What about someone who has never been taught basic mathematics? Or who had to drop out of school to go to work? Does that make them stupider than someone with rich parents who stayed in school and went to Harvard or Vassar?

One last item has pondered through my head often. I am nearsighted. I have taken tests before where I misread a question because my glasses were dirty or overdue for changing. Does that mean that if a miss questions on an IQ test and get a low score I am dumb because I neglected to wear the right glasses?

They give IQ tests in kindergarten, so no, you don't have to be litterate. If I recall correctly, one part of the test is like putting puzzle peices together quickly.

Also identical twins separated at birth seem to have the same IQ whether they got a fancy education or just a regular medium-level education.

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

The closest I've come to make an IQ test was at age 18 when I was going to be drafted into the armed services. Back then every male had to since our armed forces is made up of draftees. Anyway, there we all made this IQ-like test. We didn't get any results in the classic above of below 100-scale, but those of us that scored really well went on to take the telegraphy test, to see if we were suited to read and type the Morse code fast. I qualified for the telegraphy test so I suppose I'm up there somewhere. However, I failed the telegraphy test... All that bleeping just confused me!

[Asso]

[Emberchyld]

What I find most amusing is how this thread so quickly moved off-topic, in true Tri-silk fashion!

How fitting...