RENT-A-GENIUS
by KEVIN SZILVASY
From April 1994 East Texas Mensa SpectruM

Here's a rant of mine in the vein of improving American Mensa's membership. In fact, if this could be done, it would swell our coffers as well. It would serve to enrich individual members, both in terms of income and a sense of well-deserved accomplishment. The PR generated would be great, helping to counter that insistent sinister, elitist jacket we seem to be wearing in the eyes of the other ninety eight.

Much as we Mensans are unique, we also have many common characteristics. These include a wide range of interests fueled by a powerful curiosity leading in many cases to interdisciplinary knowledge -- the "Jack-Of-All-Trades" syndrome with the option of adding another whenever the opportunity presents itself. Sound familiar? And how about a love for puzzles, riddles, mysteries, games and problem solving? And a propensity to debate, refining concepts until they fairly glow?

Time is money. Mensans have a reputation for being able to solve problems faster then the average bear. I'm not sure just how viable this idea is, because I am unfamiliar with the tax laws governing American Mensa, but what about a Worldwide Rent-A-Genius service? All who'd wish to participate would need to fill out a detailed survey which would help the software (which someone would need to create) to pick out panels of Mensans for specific hires. This service would be offered to any enterprise which we approve based on its aims. Fees would be made to slide according to the profits made by the enterprise as well as the number of us needed to generate an acceptable solution for the problem in question.

Think tanks' services are exorbitant. We could beat most out on quality, speed, flexibility and price! This idea is presented in its infancy, and if it ever does fly, I am sure it will be relatively complex in structure and function. But I am pointing to a kind of mobile, amoebic, mix-and-match think tank. We Mensans are a huge reservoir of problem-solving power! Let's plug some of that power in, and reap some of the benefits in order to pave the way for MERF and the many other aims we hold dear.

Sometimes it is harder to give someone something than it is to sell it to them. Maybe Mensa has been offering the benefit of our acknowledged strengths for thirty years without asking enough in return. Perhaps it is time to begin charging a little for services of this nature. Panel members need not keep their percentage if they choose not to, but it would be much needed income for others. Businesses today certainly have enough unsolved problems.

Mensa has great "name appeal" already; imagine how quickly word will get around after a few well celebrated victories over intransigent conundrums. I can't help but hear a clarion call in here. I would love to hear about why this would not work, so that we can feed these objections into the giant pseudopodia of our national think tank, to be digested!