The Libertarian SIG

(Special Interest Group)
of
Greater Phoenix Mensa

How Can You Tell If You're Libertarian?

Take the World's Smallest Political Quiz

Ours is a loosely knit group of freedom-loving folks who happen to belong to the Greater Phoenix chapter of American Mensa, Ltd., that famous "hi-IQ" society. If you want any further information about Greater Phoenix Mensa or American Mensa, Ltd. (after gleaning what you can here), just click on these links.

What is Mensa?

Mensa is an international organization established for the purposes of identifying and fostering intelligence for the benefit of humanity, promoting research into the nature and uses of intelligence, and providing a stimulating social environment for its members. It has but one qualification for membership: a score at or above the 98th percentile on a standardized intelligence test. Dues are currently $45/year, including membership in the local group nearest you. That brings both the national magazine, the Mensa Bulletin, and the local newsletter, Much Ado About Mensa (MAAM) to Greater Phoenix members.

One of the favorite aspects of Mensa membership, for many, is participation in Special Interest Groups (SIGs). There are several hundred national SIGs available, many with their own newsletters, each dealing with some focus of interest for its members. Local SIGs are more activity-oriented.

Libertarian SIG Activities

At present, we have been meeting at the monthly (third Tuesday) meetings of the Maricopa County Libertarian Party, which generally meets in Tempe for dinner and a talk by some Libertarian luminary. The details for these meetings are published in the MAAM calendar, which is often available on the GPM website (see link above). On occasion we've met apart from the county party group for discussions of particular hot topics.

How Do I Join the Libertarian SIG?

If you're a Mensan, just watch the calendar for a convenient meeting, and show up. If you have questions, contact information is provided in the calendar. If you're not a Mensan, become one! That "top 2 percent" business sounds more exclusive than it really is; put another way, one out of 50 people qualifies. But, if you don't join (for whatever reason), you can enjoy the same activities we do (so far) by attending the county party meetings.

Both groups -- Mensa and the local Libertarians -- are very congenial, bright, and interesting folks. Good company.

One difference between the groups is that Libertarians exhibit a certain focus, thanks to their commitment to either a philosophy, or political reform, or both. Mensans, on the other hand, sometimes give the impression of lacking focus -- simply because they're interested in everything!

Who's Responsible for All This?

The Libertarian SIG was founded by Kent Van Cleave and his wife, Fran. He put together all these web pages for the Arizona Liberty Nexus organizations. Most of the logos and other art you find at these sites are his work, as are some of the articles. Fran is represented by articles on the Viper Reserves site.

Fran is a budding science fiction writer, having already published the story "Second Chance" in the September, 1997 issue of Analog. She has a novel and a bunch of other stories either in the works or making the rounds of publishers. Until she becomes famous, she continues to work as a pharmacist for a local registry firm.

Kent is on the verge of completing his Master's in Philosophy at ASU -- defending his thesis in November. His web page will probably eventually contain the thesis (which, if you care about such things, claims to have found the Unholy Grail of philosophy: a naturalized ethics). He works meanwhile as a musician (trumpet, fleugelhorn, and valve trombone), and at a new gold coin business that is uniquely designed to advance libertarian goals! He will also do desktop publishing work -- and, for anyone who is impressed by these simple web pages, web page design.

Watch this site for further updates!

In the meantime, check out some of these links....

When you want to exit, please take this link to Arizona Liberty Nexus (if you haven't been there this visit), where your visit will be counted!

Webmaster: kvc@compuserve.com

Updated 11/2/97

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