2015 Mar MInd by Editor, MInd

MAR 2015

Cover Photo: Kurinji in bloom ~ Smriddhi Gupta The picture is of a shrub of Kurinji flowers, found in the Neelgiris. The name Neelgiri is derived from these flowers, which bloom only once every 12 years! The ancient tribes are said to have calculated their age based on the blooming of Kurinjis. The picture was taken with a basic phone camera at Dolphin's Nose, Coonoor. (March, 2015)

From the Editor: Election Special:

Submissions:

This issue of Mind focuses on the International Mensa Elections - 2015. All dues-paid members are requested to cast their votes by sending the completed Ballot paper to the registered Mensa Office before 15th of May. Members are requested to print the Ballot paper and the envelope layout, stick the address of the Registered Mensa Office on the front side of a regular envelope and the self-addressed paper on the rear side, and dispatch it. Please go through the issue to make informed choices.

Send in your articles and contributions in plain text format and pictures in high resolution .jpg format to: editor.mensaindia@gmail.com

Regular columns will be resumed from the next issue. Do let us know what you would like to read here. Remember – it is your magazine.

~Durva Mayee, Editor, Mind Contents

Page no.

International Mensa Elections: 1. List of Candidates

International Mensa Elections: 2. Candidate Statements

International Mensa Elections: 3. Ballot Paper

International Mensa Elections: 4. Envelope Layout

International Mensa Elections: 5. Voting Instructions

The Puzzle Page

1 1

Disclaimer: All contents in this magazine are opinions of the individual authors and contributors. Neither Mensa India, the society, its office bearers nor the editors are responsible for any content or views expresses.

Feedback: Like it, love it or hate it? Tell us how to make the MInd magazine better. Write in to the editor at editor.mensaindia@gmail.com

INTERNATIONAL MENSA ELECTIONS – 2015

1: LIST OF CANDIDATES 4

International Elected Officers:

The International Election Committee (IEC) has received and approved the following nominations for the positions of International Elected Officers. All nominations have been submitted by National Mensa Committees, there are no nominations by members’ petition. The IEC had to determine solely the compliance with the rules and regulations and does not make any statement as to the content of the materials received. The order in which the candidates are listed has been determined by lot and does not reflect any rank, seniority or recommendation. The same order is used on the ballot paper and in the presentation of the candidate materials. For each position the candidate obtaining the highest number of valid votes will be elected. According to Rule 9 of the Election Rules Therese Moodie-Bloom was declared elected as International Director-Administration.

BALANYI, Bibiana (Hungary): nominated by Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, Spain, Switzerland

Candidates for International Director-

Development: 1

THURLOW, Annika (New Zealand): nominated by Belgium, British Isles, France, Greece, New Zealand, Spain, USA

LILJEQVIST, Björn (Sweden): nominated by Australia, Austria, Belgium, British Isles, Columbia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA

Candidates for International Treasurer: Candidates for INTERNATIONAL

CHAIRMAN: 1

Van GEFFEN, Grethe (Netherlands): nominated by Austria, British Isles, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Slovenia, Spain

RUDOLPH, Elissa (USA): nominated by Australia, British Isles, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, USA

LINDHOLM, Kaj (Finland): nominated by Finland

CHALLUPNER, Rudolf (Austria): nominated by Australia, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Montenegro, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland

CYWINSKI, Jacek (New Zealand): nominated by Australia, Belgium, British Isles, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, USA

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2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

Commerce Amsterdam but also young ambitious ones like: http://amsterdamsandalusischorkest.nl/ See also http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=40462 655&trk=tab_pro Awards: http://grethevangeffen.nl/prijzenawards/

Campaign statement:

Grethe van Geffen: Candidate for INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN

Biographical statement: I joined Mensa in 1997 and was active from the beginning in many ways. Becoming chair in 2008 was a logical step and I did that for almost 6 years. I saw the international character of Mensa as an opportunity so we organised EMAG in Utrecht in 2009 and the international Leadership Program was invented there on my initiative. The workshop HIQ at work I developed spread internationally after presenting the workshop at EMAG Prague, German and American AG’s, Silvensa and IBD. In daily work I am a specialist in culture and diversity issues in organisations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKiTEog37 NY) and I work also in complex decision making processes for public institutions, especially in the context of changing laws and legal systems. I have been on boards for over 20 years, traditional high level ones like the Chamber of

Mensa is worth every minute we put in it. And those minutes were a lot for me, I counted that just in my almost 6 years as chair of Mensa the Netherlands I spent already 4500 hours. But I realized so much and I loved the Mensans I could work with. Yes somethimes there are problems but overall the quality of the people to work with and their warmth and sympathy is great. I believe that we can do even more and better if we can manage our differences in age and culture more and better. Everybody’s contribution can be included if we are ready to step back and listen and see the potential. This would be my first, second and third ambition as international Chair. One of the great duties for the international chair is the IBD meeting; I want to build upon the work that was done by former chair Willem Bouwens to create dynamic interaction between large and small countries and encourage mutual learning. Also I want to bring IBD decisions closer to the members by (online/real time) streaming of the IBD meeting and better communication. Please find more and actual information at http://grethevangeffen.nl/elections-mensainternational/

Answers to IBD Questions 1. What do you see as the most important aspect of the role for which you are standing? To bring Mensa International forward with the Excom members and all the national Mensa’s

INTERNATIONAL MENSA ELECTIONS – 2015

2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS involved while being transparent and accountable in decision making. Mensa International offers great opportunities as international events like AMAG, EMAG, Silvensa grow and the Leadership Program is now well on its way. Serious challenges for Mensa International lie in clear communication, developing a learning community (instead of reinventing the wheel) and working as an effective organisation. The accent of the chairing role has to be in 1. Transcultural and Transgenerational Leadership 2. Focus 3. Teamwork 4. Real progress, have ideas turned into action.

Mensa International does not always have a good reputation and it deserves better. First of all this is a communication problem, the focus of Mensa International is more on being ‘complete’ (which makes things complex) than on being transparent and accountable in what is done or using new media in a creative way. This can be improved with more innovative ways of communicating. We also need to address the differences that individual members and national Mensa’s feel: real differences or perceived differences, they influence our cooperation and lie in the interesting but challenging area of culture and diversity. Mensa welcomes many young members worldwide especially in Asia and some fast growing countries: can our Boards that are usually older provide what they need? And do we not just respect cultural differences between countries but really listen to each other and benefit from the talents that our diverse community offers?

2. Why have you volunteered for this role, and what in particular qualifies you for it? I am passionate about Mensa, both national and international: it is a great community and it can grow and develop more in any aspect. Mensa offers so much to its members and this is why not just me but thousands of other members feel involved and want to contribute. During my 6 years as chair of Mensa the Netherlands I have shown that together with many talented members we can realize growth in membership (40% during my period) ánd growth in Mensa activities ánd growth in influence at the highest society level concerning HIQ at Work and the educational system. My ideas about chairing Mensa can be found in this video that I developed with former international chair Willem Bouwens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gJ2hvxfi_s . Nominated by: British Isles, Croatia, the Netherlands, New-Zealand, Pakistan, Slovenia, Spain. My languages: fluent in Dutch, English, French, German, good Turkish, some Spanish.

4. What do you wish to achieve during your term of office?

More interaction between the national Mensa’s with effective support from Mensa International, thus creating more international activities and a better learning community. Less re-inventing of the wheel: clear and findable communication and presentation of solutions found. The next step in our International Leadership Program: lots of opportunities there to develop it further to the benefit of all countries. Transparency and accountability in decision making. Focus on what matters (Mensa International has limited sources) and be good and visible in that. An Excom team that cooperates effectively including generations and cultures in the best way. IBD meetings that can be streamed worldwide so that all members can see what is happening there and be inspired. IBD meetings that inspire. If you would like to exchange your own ideas before casting your voice, I am interested! Please email grethe.vangeffen@mensa.nl

3. What do you see as the most important issues facing international Mensa at the present time and in the next few years?

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2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

Campaign Statement:

Elissa Rudolph Candidate for INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN

Biographical Statement: A Mensa member for more than half her life, Elissa began volunteering for her local group in various roles. Fourteen years ago, she was appointed American Mensa’s Membership Officer, followed eventually as Chair for the largest national Mensa group. Since July of 2013, Elissa serves on the AML Board as Past Chair. In that same month Elissa became Chair of Mensa International Ltd., a position that she will seek again in 2015. Elissa now works as a freelance editor of doctoral dissertations and proofreader for a global textbook company (www.giraffics.biz). Her past careers included managing museum volunteers, leading tour groups, designing graphics for an ad firm, and tutoring gifted students. Elissa’s formal education includes a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in Florida History Studies. Her most treasured and enduring education and avocation, however, is what she has learned and absorbed while serving as a Mensa volunteer.

My main initiative as International Chair the past two years was to do what I could to retain our global family environment/feeling while moving us forward taking advantage of technical innovations. As an example of connections via technology, I have virtually attended a Mensa France gathering and one in Mexico. The invitation is out there for any Mensa group to contact me via Skype and I will arrange my schedule to attend. Almost all of my interactions with Mensans on any level—local, national, international—convince me that we are one big family with no real borders. Gatherings are family reunions; some come from nearby and some travel half the day to attend just like modern scattered families do. If we cannot be physically together, social media provides ways to keep us all connected, whether we are located in the next city or halfway around the planet. As a Mensa leader, I have always believed that the main objective in all of our diverse programming is to set the stage for Ms to interact with each other easily whether it is to work on a community project, a school program, or just to bring a group together for fun.

Answers to IBD questions 1. What do you see as the most important aspect of the role for which you are standing? Our global network needs a leader to whom all can look for guidance, support, and encouragement. That leader does not have to be an expert in all areas of Mensa management, but should serve as a person who knows where, how, and whom to contact when solutions and advice are needed by national Mensas. A leader is not a leader however without followers or a team of followers that leads in coordinated

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2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

directions. The current MIL Executive Committee with its varied experiences, languages, cultures, talents, and skills has led MIL effectively for the past two years. This committee is approachable, flexible, and possesses deep knowledge regarding the needs and wants of Mensa members worldwide. As the team leader, I see that we have made progress and will continue to forge ahead under a successful leader.

signifying an environment where smart people can interact, innovate, and make the world a better place while enjoying each other’s company. The obstacles to this forward movement are apathy and the inability to be receptive to new ideas. Mensa should be agile organization that can find ways around, over, under, and through these obstacles especially if the top leaders are forward thinkers.

2. Why have you volunteered for this role and what in particular qualifies you for it?

4. What do you wish to achieve during your term of office?

Two years ago, I volunteered for this role, and now having been gratified in seeing progress, I wish to continue to guide MIL to even greater success. I still see the international chairman opportunity as one in which I can use all of my Mensa experience and knowledge gained over nearly four decades to focus on making our international bonds even stronger and more relevant. Over the past 14 years, I have visited many Mensa gatherings around the world and I see the commonalities we all have as well as the ways in which we differ. Most of our differences are exciting and add vivid color while expanding our curious minds. I would like to see all Mensans enjoy that expansion of their membership and I think I can continue to make that happen.

Two years later, similar goals come to mind: • Transparency at the top level • A more interactive web presence for all Mensans • A collegial atmosphere in which to deal with the challenges • Mentoring of future leaders through LEAP and other programs • Promoting volunteer opportunities so that more Mensans become involved. Although these ideas are mine and serve as my personal goals, I cannot achieve any of them without the express assistance of the rest of the International Board of Directors and the Executive Director.

3. What do you see as the most important issues facing Mensa International at the present time and in the future? With the continuing expansion of technology in the past few years and more to come, I see that Mensa International must be there to adopt and embrace whatever new tools emerge to help the organization become more efficient, more flexible for its members. We cannot be static and keep going back to the “way we used to do it.” We have a unique niche in the world and we should be doing all we can to keep “Mensa” a well known and well respected word,

INTERNATIONAL MENSA ELECTIONS – 2015

2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

Kaj Lindholm Candidate for INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN

Biographical statement I have 48 years of life experience. I have a degree from the university of applied sciences and about 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur. I have been the chair of Mensa Finland for four years and two years the chair of Regional Mensa of Mensa Finland. I have also been a member of the IBD for four years and two years a member of Governance Papers Advisory committee. I also consider my experience of eight years in international organizations important in running for this role. During those years I served five years as a Field Service Officer of the United Nations in former Yugoslavia and in Angola. During my international career I have had the chance to co-operate with numerous personnel from a wide variety of nationalities and religions, working towards common goals.

Campaign statement I thank you for your interest towards the international aspect of our organization. I represent myself, my family, my hometown,

Finland, Mensa Finland and International Mensa. But I am not running in these elections for any of those, but for the organization of Mensa itself. With my candidacy I want to give the members of Mensa a choice: a peaceful, neutral diplomat from a small traditional Mensa country. A choice with natural authority. My goal is not to take Mensa International in any particular direction. Instead, I want to make sure all the options and ideas for improvement will get equal treatment and be openly discussed. And to make sure that all decisions are made based on the majority’s opinion and that they will be put into action and followed up. My goal is to create conditions that enable the members of the board of Mensa International to perform their duties in the best possible manner for the benefit of our organization. And to ensure that all IBD members have an equal opportunity to present their ideas and bring up matters within our organization. Please do not hesitate to ask your national chair her or his opinion about me.

Answers to the IBD questions 1. What do you see as the most important aspect of the role for which you are standing? The chair’s mission is to lead the board. It is not to steer the discussion and work of the board, but to ensure that all members are treated equally and have a equal role in discussions. The chair must make sure that all the aspects and options will have equal treatment, clarify the discussion and ensure it stays focused on the matter at hand. Also, when required, break decisions into smaller units or combine them into larger entities. The chair should create conditions that will enable all board members to perform their duties in the best possible manner for the benefit of the organization. The mission of the chair is to support all the members of the board

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2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

4. What do you wish to achieve during your term of office?

and to ensure that they all are aware of what the others members are doing. The chair’s duty is to ensure the transparency and fairness of the board’s work towards the organization.

I wish that Mensa International will achieve, among national Mensas, a reputation of working transparently. I wish that co-operation with national Mensas will be close and continuous. I wish that the board of Mensa International will achieve the feeling of working as a solid unit. I hope that the atmosphere will develop into a direction where Mensa International is a member of the family with national Mensas and vice versa. I hope that we will find together possibilities of how Mensa International could support more co-operation between national Mensas and ways of how national Mensas could help each other with their own experiences. I hope that together we will be able to find new ideas and realistic ways to execute them to increase international happenings and interaction of members.

2. Why have you volunteered for this role, and what in particular qualifies you for it? The chair of the Mensa International has to be totally neutral and open-minded. The chair of the Mensa International should never think of his or her own interest or personal achievements or ambitions. The chair must keep completely separated his or her personal and professional goals from his or her role as the board chair. While working as a chair of Mensa Finland during the last four years I think I have been able to meet the above-mentioned demands. My personality, life situation and experience make me an excellent candidate for the role of the chair of Mensa International.

3. What do you see as the most important issues facing international Mensa at the present time and in the next few years? The world, and Mensa along with it, is continuously surfing on the wave of technology development. New ways and equipment are being developed in the area of electronic communication. It is important to be a part of this development. But it is even more important and challenging to keep traditions alive and maintain traditional ways to meet people. It is already a challenge, and will be also in the future, to successfully organize face-to-face meetings between members. It takes more time and requires more effort than electronic social media channels. It is also more challenging financially for the organization and for the members.

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2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

Personal I am 42 years old and work as free-lance translator with own company. I translate business documents and books, providing insight into several cultures. I speak English, German, Dutch, some Spanish, French.

Major interests I spend most of my free time with Mensa. Otherwise, I read, dance, play badminton, take photographs, collect antique books, nurture plumerias and orchids.

Bibiana Balanyi Candidate for INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN

Biographical Statement Contribution to Mensa – Joined Mensa Hungary in 1994 (founded 1993) – Have been active from the very beginning – Was elected chair first in 1997, served 9 years in total – Assisted in building up a very active Full National Mensa with 800 members (having 1400 members now after steadily growing) – Was elected International Director of Development for 2 terms – Assisted many countries in their development efforts; achievements: 13 country status upgrades in total (including three new groups) – a world record ! – Successfully initiated an amendment to the MIL Constitution – Attended 14 IBD meetings

Campaign Statement Why me? Because – I am young with fresh ideas – I have rich experiences in development, communication, publicity – I understand Mensa governance on local and international level – I want to be as successful in this role as I was as Director Development (13 country status upgrades!) – I am strong in understanding different cultures – I speak many languages – I am energic, empathic, ready to listen – I am insightful, can give rational conclusions – I defy the stereotype – I have a sense of humour – I have a heart for Mensa

What plans? – Greater visibility for international level – Renewed international website with enhanced content and extensive pool of information, functioning as knowledge centre

INTERNATIONAL MENSA ELECTIONS – 2015

2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS – Positive and encouraging atmosphere where all opinions are heard – Better understanding for locality while keeping the global character in mind – Increased co-operation among countries while understanding differences – Better exchange of knowledge, experiences – Mensa living and growing – A colourful international Mensa that is not an abstract concept for members and countries – Fresh approach – Standing up for fairness – Being available for consultation

and best practices; help to overcome problems – so that every individual and every country feels to be an integrate part of the international community. – The chairman also must ensure good governance. Through working in concert with other officers he/she should contribute to the overall objective of maintaining growth and prosperity of Mensa worldwide.

2. Why have you volunteered for this role, and what in particular qualifies you for it? After receiving so much from Mensa – I want to give back. – What qualifies me for this role is my knowledge of Mensa governance both on local and international level. During my nine years as national chairman and four years as International Director of Development, I participated in fourteen IBD meetings. Therefore, I have rich international experiences, I am able to think globally – but I still have an eye for local aspects. – Being a translator, I speak five foreign languages; I worked and lived abroad in a multicultural environment. Therefore, I had a chance to meet and understand different cultures. Thus, I would be able to represent Mensa with its rich cultural diversity. – I am a practice oriented; capable of listening to others; ready to make decisions based on information, analysis and consultation. I have excellent emphatic abilities both in terms of people and culture – and a sense of humour .

Why to vote? Because – Mensa is… us! – It is you to shape and develop it! – Let your voice be heard!

Be part of the international community!

Visit www.mensa.hu/balanyi for more!

Answers to IBD questions 1. What do you see as the most important aspect of the role for which you are standing? – The chairman is the major representative of our colourful organisation with several different countries and cultures under its umbrella. The chairman should be the face of Mensa to the outside world and be a good mother/father internally. To be able to do so, he/she must be open, think out of the box and have an understanding for cultural differences. – The chairman should provide an encouraging atmosphere during the meetings and in everyday Mensa life to enhance inclusion and participation of countries and people; should overcome language barriers and encourage communication; facilitate the exchange of ideas

3. What do you see as the most important issues facing international Mensa at the present time and in the next few years? – Increased visibility inside and outside. Mensa groups and their members should better see the international level and experience the feeling of being part of a greater community. Mensa should be better visible for the outside world to

INTERNATIONAL MENSA ELECTIONS – 2015

2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS be able to attract attention to its mission stipulated in the Constitution. – Overall growth in terms of bringing Mensa to new countries and increased membership in existing groups. Healthy operating and active Mensa groups mean healthy operating and active international Mensa. – Increased co-operation and cohesion should be created among the groups. Better sharing of information, exchange of knowledge, best practices and experiences are pivotal. This should be facilitated by all possible tools, especially by an improved and re-structured international website serving as knowledge centre. – Attracting young people; winning new people for Mensa who will become future volunteers. – Continued effort of making rules better understandable for the countries. Assistance and understanding.

Mensa that is not an abstract concept for the members and the countries but a living and active construct, with everybody feeling part of it, being involved and having ownership of it. – Progress towards ‘higher goals’ set by Constitution.

4. What do you wish to achieve during your term of office? – Greater visibility for international level (both inside and outside) through a renewed and restructured website with enhanced content and an extensive pool of information. – Encouraging atmosphere at IBDs, where opinions are heard. – Less talk, more action: well operating ExComm making well-founded decisions in a timely manner. – Growth both by the number of countries and membership in those countries. – Genuine assistance for countries. – Better understanding for locality – countries, culture, people – while keeping the global character in mind. – Increased cohesion and co-operation among the countries while understanding and respecting differences. Better exchange and sharing of knowledge, experiences, documents, ideas with a view to develop. – A multi-faceted international Mensa embracing everyone. A colourful international

Annika Thurlow Candidate for INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR-

DEVELOPMENT

Biographical Statement My name is Annika, I’m 27 years old and have been an active Mensa member since 2008. I live in Wellington, New Zealand, but enjoy travelling all over the world. My background is in dispute resolution, having completed my Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in 2011. I have worked as an investigator, a mediator and in customer service, giving me a lot of experience in communicating with people of all ages and backgrounds. I love having a busy and active life, having competed in fitness competitions in 2014, and I plan on doing so again in 2015. I love being involved with Mensa, both as a

INTERNATIONAL MENSA ELECTIONS – 2015

2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS member and a volunteer, and look forward to meeting many more Mensa members around the world in 2015 and beyond.

in their own countries. Many National Mensas need resources and guidance to help them reach their full potential, and being a clearly obvious point of contact for National Mensas, the Director of Development can provide this support from Mensa International. Through international promotion of Mensa, we can encourage growth and development in both Emerging and Full National Mensas.

Campaign statement I grew up in rural New Zealand, and as I went through high school and university, like many other Mensans I found it difficult to relate to my peers. When I joined Mensa I found not only a group my age I could identify with, but people of all ages, from all different cultures who felt like family. I found this drove me to not only want to share this feeling with other people in New Zealand, but with people all around the world.

2. Why have you volunteered for this role, and what in particular qualifies you for it? Since joining Mensa in 2008 I have committed to identifying areas in our organisation which needed support and development. In 2009 I established the position of Young Members Coordinator and joined the Board in 2010. From there I have helped promote Mensa in schools and universities around New Zealand and at various events such as TEDx and Giftedness conferences. I attend local events and let newer members know, so they know a familiar face, and encourage our younger members to attend. I was selected as part of the 2013 Leadership Exchange Ambassador Programme where I attended the American Mensa Annual Gathering and European Mensa Annual Gathering and presented on what I had done for our organisation. I really enjoyed participating in both these events, and saw what amazing opportunities there were for Mensa members to contribute to the international Mensa community by becoming involved as a Director.

I am a strong supporter of development in Mensa. M y focus has been in the area I know well, the recruitment and retention of younger Mensa members. I believe the same principles apply to members of all ages, fostering a supportive, active and welcoming environment for all members to enjoy, and I believe I can help apply this in the role of Director of Development.

Answers to IBD Questions 1. What do you see as the most important aspect of the role for which you are standing? I see the most important role of the International Director of Development as providing a vital point of contact for both Emerging and Potential Mensas, helping Full National Mensas grow and develop. In addition to this being a friendly face for Direct International Members, helping them to meet others and perhaps start Mensa groups

3. What do you see as the most important issues facing international Mensa at the present time and in the next few years?

INTERNATIONAL MENSA ELECTIONS – 2015

2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS In an ever interconnecting world, groups like Mensa need to be able to provide discernible benefits for their members. Information is instantly accessible and meeting other people is simple, whether you are in the US, Europe or far away here in the South Pacific. Making sure that Mensa is an organisation people want to join and want to remain members of is crucial, providing meaningful interactions for different people through multiple mediums. I always hear from members that it is the gatherings and meeting other Mensa members that really make Mensa an incredible experience, so I believe encouraging Mensa members to attend local, national and international meetings is one way Mensa needs to engage and retain its members. Whether by making gatherings more accessible, more frequent, and catering to different groups of people, we can encourage this participation around the globe.

4. What do you wish to achieve during your term of office? As someone who is new to the international governance of our organisation I would take great interest in learning from those who have gone before me, while bringing a fresh perspective to the international board. I would like to see more communication between Mensa International and small and emerging Mensas, to ensure that even the smallest and newest Mensa groups are getting the most out of being part of our fantastic organisation. As a Mensa member in the Asia-Pacific region, an area with so much potential for Mensa, I would be so glad to be involved in the development of the area. I’d like to see more events, more interactions and more opportunities for Mensa members around the world, and would love to be part of this.

Björn Liljeqvist Candidate for INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR-

DEVELOPMENT

Biographical statement Director of Development, 2013 - Director of Smaller National Mensas, 2011-2013 Chairman, Mensa Sweden, 2007-2011 Born in 1975, joined Mensa in 1991. Various volunteer positions at the local level since then. As chairman, I focused on improving administration and structure, to enable further growth in members and activities. Sweden now has the highest percentage of Mensa members worldwide. As an international officer, I have worked actively on issues of policy and procedure and engaged with boards and members in many countries to help them with local issues. Professionally, I have a MSEE degree and a background in embedded systems engineering. I am now self-employed, lecturing and writing on

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2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

I volunteer because I need more time to finish things I have started. I am qualified because I combine many years of experience working for Mensa at various levels, with a young mind and a consensus-oriented outlook. After four years on the ExComm, in two different positions, I now understand quite well how Mensa works at the international level.

learning strategies. I am multilingual and have a great interest in different cultures. More information at www.bjornliljeqvist.com.

Campaign statement I seek re-election as Director of Development of Mensa International. For my second term, I offer concrete results on a few areas, in line with my long-term visions for Mensa as a growing, global community. In particular, I want to finalize a change in the way we test new candidates in countries without a Mensa. We need continuity from the first members up to the point where the group can function on its own. That path is not always smooth and the Director of Development has to take a guiding role. Mensa International is not like a small National Mensa, but neither is it like a big one. It has elements of both. As an experienced IBD member with several reform motions on my record, I am equipped to address the policy issues of development in such a complex society. Mensa has proved to be a concept that works, where we meet each other and ourselves and receive inspiration for life. I am one of many who have invested a lot of energy and time into developing the society over the years, and because there is more work to be done, I ask for your support.

3. What do you see as the most important issues facing international Mensa at the present time and in the next few years? In the field of development, which is my main focus, the first priority is getting a better system in place to start new groups. Also, we need better international "cohesion," to find structures for sharing knowledge and information. Generally however, I would say that the most important issue is to "upgrade" Mensa for a new generation with modern views on what a society is, in times of online communities and social media. Mensa International can offer more to both members and national groups, so that there is a clear value in looking outside of one's local group. The core principles of Mensa are as sound as ever, but we have to adapt to a changing reality.

Answers to IBD Questions

4. What do you wish to achieve during your term of office?

1. What do you see as the most important aspect of the role for which you are standing?

A solid system for testing in new countries and the formation of new Mensa groups, with the help of established national groups, oordinated by Mensa International. An opening for Mensa presence in countries where, for political reasons, independent NGOs may not operate. Mensa India as a FNM. One more FNM in Latin America and an EM in Africa is not impossible.

Ensuring that Mensa groups can be established and later grow into Full National Mensas.

2. Why have you volunteered for this role, and what in particular qualifies you for it?

INTE ERNATIO ONAL ME ENSA EL LECTION NS – 201 15

2. CANDIDATE C E STATEME ENTS amon ng others. My M main hobb by (beside Mensa) M is tra avelling, in total t I visited d more than n 100 counttries. This meeans I saw a lot of culturees and life styles whicch is veryy useful fo or an intern national posittion within Mensa. M

Campaign statem ment

Rudolf Challupne C r NATIONAL TREASURER T R Candidatee for INTERN

Biographical statemeent Born in Viienna (Austriia) 1954, butt living in thee country-sid de, near beautiful lakes, forests f and mountainss. Married to o Doris, also a member of o Mensa. Mother ton ngue German, fluent in English, E quitee fluent in French F and Sp panish. Education n: primary and secon ndary schoo ol, commercia al highscho ool, techniical collegee, studies off economy and comp puter sciencee, degree in electrical eng gineering, MBA in genera al managemeent from thee University of Klagenfurrt, Austria. nally I work in i a Management positio on Profession in Austria.. Former jobss included Chief C Financia al Officer, Prroject Manag ger for differeent challengees (technical,, commercia al, business process reeengineerin ng), Head of Acco ounting an nd Controllingg, IT-Manageer. w I travel internation nally, lived in i For my work Scotland, Mexico, Fran nce, Italy, Ch hina, Canada a,

I joined Mensa Au ustria 1980, where I had d more or lesss all positio ons possible: Local Secretary, Regio onal Secreetary, Procctor, SIG-o officer, SIGH HT, editor, organizer gatherings, coordinator YounggMensa, Trreasurer, Director D Admiinistration, Executive Director and Chairrman. As Ch hairman, bu ut also beforee, I attended d most IBDs and many other o internattional gatherrings. I suppo orted activelly National Mensas, M esp pecially in Ea astern Europ pe, and serveed in the Ellection Comm mittee. In my m first term t as Treasurer, T M Mensa Intern national was in a difficult financial situ uation. Thesee days are gone, g we arre on a prom mising way now. Both cost savin ng and the more he funds bro ought us bacck into efficieent use of th solid structures. Nevertheless N m more can be done, ob is not fin nished. Somee started inittiatives the jo need to be pushed d into full deeployment. In thee past two IBDs I many delegates th hanked me fo or the clear and well eq quilibrated budget. b Thereefore I kindlyy ask you to o support a second s term as Treasurer. m sure that my knowledge of fin nancial I am matteers and myy way of approaching a both Menssans and Non-Mensans will help Mensa M intern nationally to grow. I wiill continue to act stronggly service oriented o and to use the budget b with a maximum m effect for the interna ational M devellopment of Mensa.

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL MENSA MENSA ELECTIONS ELECTIONS – – 2015 2015

2. 2 CANDIDATE CANDIDATE STATEMENTS STATEMENTS

Answers to IBD Questions

But these days are gone, we are on a promising way now. Due to the good insights into the Mensa finances right now I can initiate further improvement in the cost saving and in the more efficient use of the funds. Especially also to support the growth of Mensa internationally.

1. What do you see as the most important aspect of the role for which you are standing? Before I was elected Treasurer two years ago both the budget and the annual financial reports were very difficult to read and understand. In many items desirable clarity and transparency was missing. I wanted to improve the informativeness as well as the relevance and reliability of all papers.

All these things and my sound international experience are the best guarantee and permit me to ensure you that I know how to handle financial matters in a reliable and professional way.

This was done to a big extent, as I could see from a lot of positive feedback from delegates and members. Now the budget as well as the reports are considered much clearer and better equilibrated. Much was achieved, but the job is not finished, further optimization is planned.

3. What do you see as the most important issues facing International Mensa at the present time and in the next few years? Mensa should grow internationally faster than at present and move into new countries. This task I don’t consider to be the responsibility of the Director Development only, but of all leaders within Mensa. Partly it was achieved, but this work has to be continued. There are still many ideas which have to be transferred into initiatives. As Treasurer I consider it as my responsibility to provide the necessary funds.

This includes not only the speed of accounting and prompt responses to requests, but also to get in closer contacts with all members of Mensa by regularly publishing the most important financial key figures. Only then everyone is capable to make an own judgement, how efficient the financial funds are used.

Life becomes more electronical and sometimes more complicated. We must meet the new opportunities, have a better presence in the electronic medias, put the right persons – and the necessary financing – into these opportunities. We have to attract young people, we have to foster them and their development.

2. Why have you volunteered for this role, and what in particular qualifies you for it? More than 30 years of activity on national as well as on international level gave me a solid background and understanding of the different needs of all groups and individuals within Mensa. When I was treasurer of Mensa Austria, the financial situation was “challenging”. Since then and still we are financially healthy.

Only then Mensa will not only meet its promise to offer a friendly social environment but also its mission to foster intelligence and to contribute to a better world.

The situation was a little similar when I was elected International Treasurer two years ago.

INTE ERNATIO ONAL ME ENSA EL LECTION NS – 201 15

2. CANDIDATE C E STATEME ENTS

4. What do you wish to achieve du uring your term of off ffice? I would likee to present the annual financial figurees in a further improved w way of easy un nderstanding. I also like to see a susttainable worlldwide growtth of Mensa in membeership and attractivenes a s. Whereas with w attractiv veness I don n't mean tha at Mensa on nly should be interesting for Non nMensans to t join, but also for acttual and past members. As Treasurrer I would like to suppo ort this genera al target as much as po ossible by maximizing m th he financial support s for all National Mensas an nd SIGs worlldwide, so that we all feel f part of a dynamic group. g Within thee ExComm I see myself not n only as th he keeper of o the mon ney, but also a as th he representa ative of a varriety of cultu ures and wayys of life. All these aspeccts have to be b reflected in i the financcial proceediings, so tha at each singlle Mensan ca an rely on sttrong and prrompt suppo ort from the to op of the org ganization.

Jaceek Cywinskki Cand didate for INT TERNATION NAL TREASU URER

Biogrraphical Sta atement I havve been with h Mensa forr almost 10 years, holdin ng many different d possitions and being activeely involved d on botth national and intern national levells, including being: b 2014 – now Mem mber of Finan nce Advisoryy Comm mittee, Menssa Internation nal 2014 – now Board member an nd National Testin ng Officer, Mensa M NZ 2011 - now Memb ber of LEAP,, currently Viicechair 2010 - 2012 Chaiirman of Men nsa Poland, IBD I Memb ber 2006 - 2010 Boarrd member and a testing co oordinator, Mensa Poland In pro ofessional lifee I am an invvestigator at Inland Reven nue in Welllington, New w Zealand. I have had several s yearss of experien nce of accou unting/ taxatiion at both national n and internationall levels

INTERNATIONAL MENSA ELECTIONS – 2015

2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS which I gained at E&Y, Shell, Ministry of Finance, Treasury Control Office, my own chartered accounting practice and several other places.

The International treasurer should take care of Mensa International's finance by improving its financial position. It can be achieved by reviewing the expenses and encourage spending money in even more efficient way and by working towards increasing income. I believe there is a need for a treasurer who will provide more information about the financial matters of the organisation, which will be disclosed with a proper notice to the Finance Advisory committee, ExComm and IBD members. In my opinion discussions about our finance should not be limited only to one occasion, but it should be held on ongoing basis, to eliminate any doubts and provide full dis-closure, which will allow to make decisions regarding Mensa International finance more effectively.

I have got an M.Sc. in finance and banking major: accounting, am a certified accountant in Poland, I have a membership at NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Campaign statement Mensa International is an amazing organisation which allows their members to build a network of wonderful friends. I would like to get more members involved in Mensa at the international level. I will try to achieve it by taking actions towards supporting international events like EMAG, AMAG, Silvensa, implementing electronic balloting, spreading knowledge about wonderful programmes like LEAP and presenting Mensa finance without any delays in an easy to understand form. I am involved in Mensa at various levels – from organising IQ tests (I have tested more than 4000 people), being involved in LEAP and by even marking essays for Mensa scholarships. I maintain a strong network of international connections, being in touch with people from almost all Mensa groups, which would be a great help in achieving my goals. Try to get involve in Mensa international life – please read materials of all candidates and vote. You may make the difference.

2. Why have you volunteered for this role, and what in particular qualifies you for it? I have volunteered for this role because I have knowledge about both Mensa and finance that I believe will be useful in the role of Treasurer. I was a board member of Mensa Poland for four years and the Chair of Mensa Poland for two years. I was also an IBD delegate for two years, so I know how Mensa organisations at both national and internal levels operate. I am a member of Finance Advisory Committee, which gives me a great understanding of processes around preparation of financial statements and potential areas of improvement and development. Additionally, I have had more than 11 years of experience in finance in different positions and fields. I have been actively involved in financial matters and I have been lobbying for full disclosure and an increase in the information provided to members.

Answers to IBD Questions 1. What do you see as the most important aspect of the role for which you are standing?

INTERNATIONAL MENSA ELECTIONS – 2015

2. CANDIDATE STATEMENTS 3. What do you see as the most important issues facing international Mensa at the present time and in the next few years? I believe the three main issues facing International Mensa are member retention, balancing the budget, and taking advantage of new technology. I believe that these issues are connected. Member retention is an important issue facing Mensa International, and we need to consider the role of technology in this. Mensa International should be making more use of modern technology available. We are now in the age of IPhones, Android, Facebook and Twitter. I believe we should take advantage of the many platforms for member interaction on the internet. Many of these methods are very cost effective, and will attract new members, and more revenue, to our society. People are aware we are an international organisation, however do not see interaction happening between members at an international level. We should adjust our regulations to allow members vote electronically, which could save us up to 30,000 GBP every second year.

voting on. I believe we do not currently use the potential we have. At the end of 2013 financial year there is no interest income. Basic managing of funds by putting our money into term deposits may help to double it at least, without any effort. Additionally, as per point 3 I will be supporting changes regarding international elections. I think we should allow an electronic ballot to reduce the cost of the elections significantly.

END CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

4. What do you wish to achieve during your term of office? As Treasurer, my personal goal will be protecting our budget realisation and maintain stable financial position. These goals will be built on three foundations; full disclosure and information to IBD members, effectively managing costs and revenue and stimulating growth (by acting as the ExComm member, supporting all growth-related initiative). Moreover, I will be providing finance information to members well in advance before the annual IBD meeting allowing the members time to gain an understanding of what they are

2015 International Mensa Election - Ballot Paper Instructions: You have ONE vote in each of the two categories below where there are only two candidates. If you mark more than one alternative, your vote in that category will become invalid. An 'X' should be placed, entirely in the box, against the single candidate you are voting for in each position, and no other mark. As there are more than two candidates for the position of International Chairman the preferencial system will be used as follows: Each voter will have one transferable vote. A voter in recording his/her vote on the ballot must place on his/her ballot the number 1 opposite the name of the preferred candidate for whom he/she is voting and may then indicate the order of preference for as many candidates for that position as he or she pleases by putting the numbers 2, 3 and 4 opposite their respective names.

Election for International Chairman 1 Grethe van Geffen 2 Elissa Rudolph 3 Kaj Lindholm 4 Bibiana Balanyi

Election for International Director - Development 1 Annika Thurlow 2 BjĂśrn Liljeqvist

Election for International Treasurer 1 Rudolf Challupner 2 Jacek Cywinski

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The IEC is not responsible for the content of any candidateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statements and the IEC has not verified any information or material presented as fact included in the candidate statements.

International Mensa Ballot

To Mrs. Gauri Gharpure-Deodhar Mensa India Jnana Prabodhini Bhavan 510 Sadashiv Peth Pune 411 030. Tel: 020-24207145

2015 International Mensa Election – Envelope Template – Front

Print Full Name: Address: Membership Number:

NOTE: If the above details are not filled in the vote will be invalid.

2015 International Mensa Election – Envelope Template – Back

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL MENSA MENSA ELECTIONS ELECTIONS – – 2015 2015

5. 6 VOTING VOTING INSTRUCTIONS INSTRUCTIONS

marked, write clearly in the upper left front corner of the envelope "International Mensa Ballot".

Please Read Before Voting You should have received an International Election Ballot Paper and an Envelope addressed to your Mensa Office. If you wish to vote, you must vote on the ballot paper provided.

ON THE BACK OF THE ENVELOPE, write your name, address and membership number in block letters as they appear in your Mensa records. Your national Mensa will use this information to verify that you are a member in good standing that is entitled to vote. If this information is not on the back of the envelope, your vote will be invalid and WILL NOT BE COUNTED. Should you be uncomfortable with this information being openly visible on the envelope, you may place this envelope into another one that you address to the national Mensa office (address see below).

Election Of International Officers In the election of International Officers, members are asked to vote for: one of four candidates for the position of International Chairman, one of two candidates for the position of International Director-Development and one of two candidates for the position of International Treasurer. The order in which the candidates appear on the ballot has been determined by lot and does not reflect any rank, seniority or recommendation. You have ONE vote for each office. Where there are only two candidates for a position (i.e. Int. Director Development and Int. Treasurer) please put an X mark in the box next to your preferred candidate. If you mark more than one candidate your vote in that category will become invalid.

Put a stamp on the envelope suitable for Domestic Delivery. If no envelope is provided use one of your own, complete the front and back as instructed in points 1 and 2 above and return to the following address, ensuring its that it will arrive no later than the 15th of May 2015.

The envelope should be addressed to:

However:

Mrs. Gauri Gharpure-Deodhar Mensa India Jnana Prabodhini Bhavan 510 Sadashiv Peth Pune 411 030. Tel: 020-24207145

For the position of International Chairman there are four candidates. So for that category the system of Preferential Voting will be in effect. Please put a 1 in the box of your preferred candidate. Your second choice should be marked with a number 2, your third choice with „3” and the fourth with a „4”. You may mark the alternatives, but it is not mandatory to make your vote valid. Also please read the attached „Explanation of Preferential Voting Procedures”.

Do not send your ballot envelope to any other address.

EXCEPTION: Direct International Members should send their envelopes directly to the MIL office at the following address: Mensa International Ltd., Slate Barn, Church Lane, Caythorpe, Lincolnshire, NG32 3EL, UNITED KINGDOM. Mail your ballot in time for it to reach the address by May 15th, 2015.

Returning your Ballot Paper Put your ballot into the envelope provided, then close and seal the envelope. If not already

INTERNATIONAL MENSA ELECTIONS – 2015

5. VOTING INSTRUCTIONS If two or more members live at the same address but you received only one ballot form, each additional member may copy the ballot paper and vote following the above instructions using a separate envelope. Any member who returns more than one ballot form will have all of his/her ballot forms declared invalid.

Only ballots received by May 15th, 2015 will be counted. Do not place anything else in the envelope because it will be forwarded unopened to an independent counting agency, which will discard any other materials in the envelope.

Explanation of Preferential Voting Procedures The ballot instructions ask you to vote preferentially by placing a 1 in the box of the candidate or your first choice, a 2 in the box of the candidate of your second choice, etc. You can vote for up to the number of candidates running in a preferential election, but you do not have to. NOTE: Casting preferential votes will not harm the election chances of the candidate of your first choice. The preferential system used for this election will have ballots sorted according to first choice- all the “1” are counted. If no candidate has reached the 50%+1 limit, then the one with the smallest number of votes is eliminated. His votes will then be redistributed to the other candidates, in accordance to the second choice- all the “2” marks from his ballots are added to the previous “1”. This procedure is repeated until one candidate has a simple majority.

In the case of the current election there are four candidates for one post, so the procedure will be performed twice.

EXAMPLE: For a particular office, there are four candidates: Anne, Ben ,Charlie and Dave. On the ballot, Mensans have been asked to indicate their first, second (third and fourth) choices. Let us assume that 100 valid ballots have been cast. The independent ballot-tallying agent divides the ballots into piles, according to voters’ first choice: Anne Ben Charlie Dave 28 15 25 32

Since none of the four candidates has a majority of 51 valid ballots (50% + 1), a second sort is made. Ben, who had the fewest votes (1’s) is out of the race. Ben’s votes are divided according to the number of second choice- the 2’s. In this case, of Ben’s 15 votes, 5 were cast for Anne as second choice, 5 were cast for Charlie as second choice and 4 for Dave as the second choice, while 1 vote had no second choice marked. When the second choice votes for Charlie are redistributed to Anne’s pile and Charlie’s pile and Dave´s pile, the results are: Anne 28 +5 33

Charlie 25 +5 30

Dave 32 +4 36

In this second count - since 1 vote had no second choice marked - there were only 99 valid votes. Still 50% + 1 has not been reached. So the counting procedure had to be taken to the next level, this time eliminating Charly. His 3rd preference votes are distributed to Anne and Dave. Anne 28 +5 +10 43

Dave 32 +4 + 15 51 Ben Dave now has a majority of 50% +1 vote and he wins the election.

THE PUZZLE PAGE

AKARI AKARI Information: Akari was first published in 2001 in the Japanese puzzle magazine Nikoli Puzzle Communication under the name Bijutsukan. Folklore: The grid represents a museum; theblack cells are the rooms of the museum.A few areas contain security guards. All rooms have to be seen by them, but they cannot see each other mutually. Later, the guards were replaced by lamps that need to illuminate all the rooms, but may not illuminate each other. Reason for this change may have been searching for an English name: Nikoli has opted for "Light Up" and changed the Japanese name from Bijutsukan (museum of fine arts) to Akari (Light Up). Puzzle of the Month - AKARI: Place a number of lightbulbs in the grid, so that every square is lit by at least one lightbulb. Lightbulbs illuminate all squares it can see horizontally and vertically. Black squares block its view. No two lightbulbs are allowed to see each other. The numbers in the grid indicate the amount of lightbulbs that touch that square horizontally and vertically.

Solved example with helpful notes : Theme: Almost Mirrored Ring. This is one of the features where the puzzle has the same clues on the left and the right except for one pair of clues and this changes the path significantly.

Note: 1. The arrows show the “visibility” of a light bulb, note that it goes till either black squares or the edge of the grid. 2. Note the isolated light bulb in the 2nd row which is there to satisfy the rule that every square is lit by at least one light bulb (including the cell itself that the bulb is placed in). Tips: There is generally a twolayered approach to solving Akari puzzles. 1. Look at the bigger clues (the 3 and the 2s in the edges, 1s in the corners in this particular case) and see how they interact with each other. One example is the interaction between the 3 clue and the 1 in the bottom right corner,

THE PUZZLE PAGE

AKARI which should give some ‘leftover’ lights for the 3. 2. Towards the end, use the smaller clues like the 0s to see where light bulbs cannot be placed, so that it is sure they can be placed elsewhere to satisfy the rule that all cells must be lit up. Note about Logical Pencil Puzzles in general: These are puzzles which have a step-by-step procedural and logical path. No guesswork is required, and there is no need to force a solution in the entire puzzle immediately. Each clue will come into perspective gradually, and using them a little at a time and spotting where the next step is, is part of the challenge and generally increases the feeling of satisfaction when they puzzle is solved. It is advisable to solve with a pencil and not a pen, so that erasing and backtracking is possible in case of an error.

Prasanna Seshadri is a Puzzler and Puzzle-Master at Grandmaster Puzzles; was the Indian Double Champion in 2013, having won both the Indian Sudoku and Indian Puzzle Championships. As a puzzlemaker, Prasanna has contributed puzzles to the World Puzzle Championship, the 24HPC, and several other national championships; Associated with Logic Masters India. Blog: https://prasannaseshadri.wordpress.com / More at: http://www.gmpuzzles.com

Solution to the February Puzzle of the Month: ODD SUDOKU

Also, these puzzles can generally have pleasant and artistic visual themes to them. They add a human touch making each puzzle unique in its value. Note: The solutions to the ‘Puzzle of the Month’ will be published in the next issue. For more puzzles and Sudokus like this and to know more about the Indian National Championships, you can visit the Indian website for all puzzle matters, Logic Masters India – logicmastersindia.com

~Prasanna Seshadri

Following pages are from the Mensa World Journal

mensa w o r l d j o u r nal inside...

march 2015 issue #025

p3 - Treasurer’s Report p5 - MIL Positions/Committees coming up p6 - International SIGHT p11 - International Photographer of the Year 2015

also

inside:

Mensa ‘gondoliers’ in Venice (p6)

feeling younger than your age could be a good thing p2 monkeys not fooled by expensive brands p7 sibling guilt - a member’s story p8 2500 years of super intelligence p9 philae has landed p10 supplementally... p12

m ensa wor ld j our na l Feeling younger than your age means lower early death rate for older people, study finds

Turns out, feeling younger than your actual age might be good for you.

A research letter published online by JAMA Internal Medicine found that older people who felt three or more years younger than their chronological age had a lower death rate compared with those who felt their age or who felt more than one year older than their actual age. Self-perceived age can reflect assessments of health, physical limitation and well-being in later life, and many older people feel younger than their actual age, according background information in the report. Authors Isla Rippon, M.Sc., and Andrew Steptoe, D.Sc., of the University College London, examined the relationship between self-perceived age and mortality. The authors used data from a study on aging and included 6,489 individuals, whose average chronological age was 65.8 years but whose average self-perceived age was 56.8 years. Most of the adults (69.6 percent) felt three or more years younger than their actual age, while 25.6 percent had a self-perceived age close to their mensa world journal march 2015

real age and 4.8 percent felt more than a year older than their chronological age. Mortality rates during an average follow-up of 99 months were 14.3 percent in adults who felt younger, 18.5 percent in those who felt about their actual age and 24.6 percent in those adults who felt older, according to the study results. The relationship between self-perceived age and cardiovascular death was strong but there was no association between self-perceived age and cancer death. “The mechanisms underlying these associations merit further investigation. Possibilities include a broader set of health behaviors than we measured (such as maintaining a healthy weight and adherence to medical advice), and greater resilience, sense of mastery and will to live among those who feel younger than their age. Self-perceived age has the potential to change, so interventions may be possible. Individuals who feel older than their actual age could be targeted with health messages promoting positive health behaviors and attitudes toward aging,” the study concludes. ScienceDaily, 15 December 2014

from the editor, MIL Treasurer, Rudi Challupner presents an abridged financial report on pages 3-5 of this issue; if you have any queries, contact Rudi on treasurer-mil@mensa.org. Also on page 5, Therese Moodie-Bloom, Director of Administration, lists the positions and/or committee positions due to be appointed at the next International Board of Directors (IBD) meeting. The closing date for applications is June 20. This year’s IBD meeting runs from October 1-4 in Novi Sad, Serbia. This is a beautiful part of the world and well worth a visit. In August (dates to come) the European Mensa Annual Gathering (EMAG) will be held in Berlin, also a fabulous city. I’m hoping to attend both meetings, so hope to see you there. As you will see from our cover photo, a group of Mensans had a fabulous Italian adventure courtesy of SIGHT (p6), and on pages 8 and 9, American Mensans Lena Rivkin and Nathaniel Jaye have contributed articles entitled Sibling Guilt and 2500 Years of Super Intelligence respectively. Thank you to those of you who have written to me with suggestions and comments; this is your magazine and your input is both appreciated and necessary!

With warm regards, Kate mwjeditor@mensa.org 02

m ensa wor ld j our na l TREASURER’S REPORT

for the shortened fiscal year April 2013 - December 2013 I am pleased to present on the next two pages the abridged version of the official financial report for the shortened fiscal year (9 months only) ended December 31, 2013, as required by our regulations. The numbers of the Statement of Income and Expenditures and of the Balance Sheet were checked and released by the auditors. For your information, the values for the financial year from April 1, 2012 until March 31, 2013 are also provided. In case you compare the numbers directly, kindly take into consideration that this fiscal year consisted of 12 months. The complete audited financial statements are available upon request to me (treasurer-mil@mensa.org) or by mail to MIL, Slate Barn, Church Lane, Caythorpe, Lincolnshire NG32 3EL, United Kingdom. Please find following, a few words to make the interpretation of the values easier: As discussed at the IBD 2013 in Calgary, an alignment of the fiscal year with the calendar year is beneficial to the administrative processes within Mensa International, especially with regard to time for preparation mensa world journal march 2015

and auditing of the Mensa accounts and with the handover to a new Board in election years. Therefore the fiscal year was shortened by three months and ended on Dec. 31, 2013 instead of March 31, 2014. The budget for the fiscal year 2013 was done by the past Treasurer Ms Cyndi Kuyper. The international component was fixed at 6% only, as it was intended by the IBD to reduce the financial assets. It was accepted at that time that the income would not be sufficient to cover all expenses. Additionally, of course, a shortened year has some especially tricky challenges. The most important thing to mention is the fact that the quarters of the big income (the first quarter of a calendar year) and of the big spending (the third or fourth quarter of a calendar year, depending on the exact date of the meeting of the IBD) are not in the same fiscal year. Hence an even bigger deficit will arise as a one-time-effect.

of a total of -144,976 GBP, which brought our assets down to 170,184 GBP, or roughly 60% of our annual expenses. But thanks to the wise decision concerning the actual fiscal year and fixing the component at 7%, Mensa International will develop successfully in the coming years. Moreover, to ensure development and to search for potential cost-saving opportunities, a Finance Advisory Committee effected. There will be some changes to the team and in the processes to ensure a first-class performance. If any Mensan would like to nominate additional members, you are welcome to do so. Please contact me in the first instance.

Respectfully submitted Rudi Challupner, International Treasurer treasurer-mil@mensa.org

As we now have: • cut off the quarter Jan March 2014 from the old fiscal year, • had a rather expensive meeting of the IBD in Calgary in Canada and • had to book the 50% deposit payment for the 2014 IBD meeting, we had the significant once-only negative impact in the financial situation

m ensa wor ld j our na l

mensa world journal march 2015

m ensa wor ld j our na l

MIL Positions/Committees Open for Appointment If you are interested in serving Mensa International in an appointed position, now is your opportunity to apply. These positions are open to all members worldwide. All are for terms of two years (unless otherwise stated), the term commencing after the IBD meeting in Serbia in October 2015. The following International positions/committees are due to be appointed in 2015: - Constitutional Review Officer - Awards Committee member (MIL chair and past chair are members ex officio) -Licensing Advisory Committee: members and chair - Web Board: members and chair Members currently serving in a position or committee due to expire in October are requested to reapply if they wish to continue to serve in that role. The application form is available on the Officers/Appointees page of the members-only section of the MIL website at https://www.mensa.org (you must be logged on). Job descriptions for each position are linked to each role/ committee. Both form and/or job descriptions are also available from the Mensa International Office by emailing mensainternational@mensa.org or by post to the address given on page 11. Applications for the above posts, must be received by June 20, 2015 and must be sent to the International Office (mensainternational@mensa.org), copied to the Director of Administration (admin-mil@ mensa.org).

mensa world journal march 2015

Therese Moodie-Bloom Director of Administration

m ensa wor ld j our na l

International S.I.G.H.T SIGHT-ing by Cinthia Reyes During this summer I travelled to meet some Mensans at EMAG. It was fun, with organized gatherings and lectures, tourist activities and a gala dinner. These are all are interesting and enjoyable, but there is also a different way of experiencing a place: SIGHT. SIGHT is not about travelling around like a regular tourist. SIGHT gives you a different perspective, a perspective from a smart person who looks at things in different ways. Therefore, visiting a place with a “local” mensan is a particularly enriching experience. Our first SIGHT host was the new German SIGHT Coordinator, “TeeKay”, as he likes to be called, who, having lived quite some time in

Mensa ‘gondoliers’ in Venice mensa world journal march 2015

Switzerland, showed Zurich to us while we were together at EMAG. Architecture, language, politics, Swiss Army neutrality, bunkers, history… these and other subjects were covered during our morning walk where a Belgian, a Malaysian, a Swede, a Dutch and a Mexican had our first view over the city. After EMAG I travelled more, together with Zab from Malaysia, and made full use of SIGHT. The next city was Milan, Italy. Andrea Arru met us at the arrival hall and walked us downtown. As we learnt from him, most tourist go to Rome and Venice, but Florence and Milan are also worth a visit, because it was here renascent artists were located. Milan was home to Leonardo Da Vinci and hosts “The Last Supper” fresco. Andrea had lunch and ice cream with us. Italian pizza is awesome… Italian ice cream is incomparable, and Zab and I had our first cannoli there, so we really don’t have a comparison point, but it was good!

A canal in Milan...

The next day, Pierpaolo Vittoria drove us to different areas of the city, including the canals (Zab and I didn’t even know the canals existed) and to more gorgeous food. Venice was next. Our local SIGHT contact, Sabina Deligia, took us to a very cozy winery for dinner, where we ate traditional Venetian food. Sabina gave us a different perspective on the city. How do locals get their food and clothing when the city is all about tourism? What happens when you study a non-touristic related career? How can someone become a gondolier? (I really had no idea that gondoliers studyfor about three years to become one, from singing to languages… ) Working everyday with tourists herself, Sabina also told us some funny stories on tourists complains and some weird ideas people have about the city prior to their arrival.

m ensa wor ld j our na l Our last country to visit was The Netherlands. Our local Mensans took us to Heemstede, Zandvoort’s beach, Haarlem, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Vianen. We went searching windmills, visited some local cemeteries, took boat rides, rode a bike, visited a cheese farm (made cheese and crafted a wooden clog!), visited the Kröller-Müller, an old water pump and the Rijksmuseum. We were glad to meet other Mensans from The Netherlands and Belgium at the museum. Before joining Mensa, I hadn’t travelled that much really. Today I don’t know a better way to do so other than in the company of bright and very friendly people who accept you from the first moment and are willing to spend a wonderful day with you.

Cinthia Reyes, Mensa Mexico For enquiries re International SIGHT, contact Pierpaolo Vittoria, the International SIGHT Coordinator, on sight@ mensa.org

Deadline for submissions to June 2015 issue is April 1, 2015 mwjeditor@mensa.org

mensa world journal march 2015

Unlike people, monkeys aren’t fooled by expensive brands In at least one respect, Capuchin monkeys are smarter than humans - they don’t assume a higher price tag means better quality, according to a new Yale study appearing in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. People consistently tend to confuse the price of a good with its quality. For instance, one study showed that people think a wine labelled with an expensive price tag tastes better than the same wine labelled with a cheaper price tag. In other studies, people thought a painkiller worked better when they paid a higher price for it. The Yale study shows that monkeys don’t buy that premise, although they share other irrational behaviors with their human relatives. “We know that capuchin monkeys share a number of our own economic biases. Our previous work has shown that monkeys are lossaverse, irrational when it comes to dealing with risk, and even prone to rationalizing their own decisions, just like humans,” said Laurie Santos, a psychologist at Yale University and senior author of the study. “But this is one of the first domains we’ve tested in which monkeys show more rational behavior than humans do.” Rhia Catapano, a former Yale undergraduate who ran the study as part of her senior honours thesis, along with Santos and colleagues designed a series of four experiments to test whether capuchins would

prefer higher-priced but equivalent items. They taught monkeys to make choices in an experimental market and to buy novel foods at different prices. Control studies showed that monkeys understood the differences in price between the foods. But when the researchers tested whether monkeys preferred the taste of the higherpriced goods, they were surprised to find that the monkeys didn’t show the same bias as humans. Santos and colleagues think that differences in the response of humans and capuchins could stem from the different experiences that monkeys and people have with markets and how they behave. “For humans, higher price tags often signal that other people like a particular good.” Santos noted. “Our richer social experiences with markets might be the very thing that leads us - and not monkeys - astray in this case.” Science Daily

m ensa wor ld j our na l

Sibling Guilt

When I was six I wanted to live in

a mental institution. I thought that if I lived in the institution where my deeply autistic, nonverbal brother lived, I’d make our parents happy because I could talk. As the sibling without special needs, I was called the “lucky one”. But life has a funny habit of never being that simple.

My brother was born when psychoanalysts diagnosed autism as the result of a cold, unloving mother. Top brain specialists told my parents Phillip was ‘retarded’ and incapable of any improvement. Their best medical advice was to send Phillip away and forget about him. My parents emphatically did not follow this prescription. Instead they became unwavering activists, gathering friends and family to raise awareness and funds for special needs children. They filled both of our lives with passion, art and laughter. Fond memories of childhood include fascinating creative people in our kitchen, laughing, talking and wrapping donated gifts for institutionalized children. My brother grew, wordless but curious, living deep within himself. He created fascinating little totems from found items like wire and gum wrappers. My parents nurtured Phillip’s creativity, seeing his art as his means of communication with them. Despite how much they focused on Phillip, my parents were deeply responsive to my needs as well. They allowed my relationship with my brother to be my own private journey.

mensa world journal march 2015

While my parents were blessed with brilliant coping skills and a determination to not take other people’s discomfort personally, I disliked the attention Phillip would attract. I dreaded going out - not just because of the stares from strangers, but also due to Phillip’s tendency to take anything that intrigued him from another diner’s plate. My parents were skilled at making light of these moments, but I was strung on a line between protecting my brother and mortification at what others thought. Then, I’d feel guilty about my discomfort. Even now it’s hard to admit I longed for a sibling to be a normalchild, and this inevitably led to shame about wishing Phillip to be anyone other than himself. Most children simply want to not stick out. With a brother like Phillip this was simply not an option. I didn’t enjoy knowing what Phillip didn’t know. Despite my parents’ acceptance of my feelings, I quietly pressured myself to be faultless. I never rebelled or demanded extra portions of their attention. I couldn’t bear to add to their already sizable parental ‘work-

by Lena Rivkin Lena and Phillip

load’. As I entered the world, my awareness that I would have a fuller life than my brother was enormously guilt-producing. Despite having many friends, I always felt isolated, because I had no words for my lifelong struggle with Phillip’s disability. Discovering sibling guilt was a light bulb over my head- a light I never even knew was there. The symptoms of sibling guilt felt like a checklist of my personality: a tendency to downplay accomplishments - check; diverting attention from oneself - check; avoiding drama or not sharing traumatic experiences - check; being the perfect child - check; struggles with the sibling’s disability on their lives - check! I realized Phillip has shaped my life and who I am more than I’ve shaped his.   There are many people I wouldn’t continued on p9

m ensa wor ld j our na l know if it wasn’t for Phillip. I have close friends, who also grew up with special needs siblings. These friends also live with an always humming ‘anxiety track’ – a constant concern for our siblings’ safety, happiness and daily care. One friend confessed that when he was young he secretly wished for nothing more than an evening where it wasn’t completely all about his sister and her needs. Such primal childhood angst is something we can’t ever really express with anyone who doesn’t have sibling guilt. Having a brother like Phillip has innumerable blessings. I learned patience, compassion, adaptability, diplomacy and advocacy at a very young age. Thanks to Phillip I believe as long as we are learning and loving we are growing. Phillip’s artworks enliven my home. They are precious to me. If only Phillip’s gum wrapper sculptures carried the Sotheby’s seal of approval… but then again, you can’t have everything. Lena Rivkin, M.F.A., a member of American Mensa, is an artist and graphologist living in Los Angeles www.lenarivkin.com

Log into the International website www.mensa.org for the calendar of national events mensa world journal march 2015

2500 Years of Super Intelligence by Nathaniel Jaye

Recent movies like Limitless, Lucy and the Johnny Depp thriller, Transcendence, are showcasing one of science fiction’s coolest storylines - the idea of human superintelligence. But the idea is hardly new. In fact, it’s been around for more than 2500 years. The ancient Greeks - Plato, Aristotle and other sages of the time - spoke of super-intelligence using the Greek word nous. To them, super-intelligence was a universal principle accessible to anyone. Often translated as inspiration or intuition, nous was a “state of knowing” (ideas, facts, truths - anything) that was truer than logic itself. Human super-intelligence (or supermind) wasn’t just a pursuit of the Greeks. The Romans worshiped it as a divine virtue. Scholars of the Islamic Golden Age named it aql. In the Indian tradition it was buddhi. In those times, crossovers of science, religion and mythology were normal. So in the New Testament, you even find it written that only

those with nous could truly under stand the scriptures. In all these contexts, supermind was presented as the ability to know and understand just about anything. Modern science (without fully acknowledging it) is picking up where ancient philosophy left off. Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman’s System 1 thinking - he calls it “fast thinking” or intuition - is a partial description of supermind. Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink, “the power of thinking without thinking”, is the same. Both concepts present intuition as an unconscious activity; however, supermind can actually be a highly conscious process. Simply, supermind is made of

m ensa wor ld j our na l two main ideas. First, intelligence is modular, which means it’s a set of defined skills, functions or abilities, rather than a vague abstraction or unknowable display of genius. Secondly, it’s learnable, trainable and teachable. We’re not merely born gifted or remedial. Genius can be trained. Functions of supermind thinking include: recognition, content, relation and speed. Recognition means pattern recognition, seeing the big picture, the forest from the trees. Recognition helps us say what something is - we understand the whole and not just the parts. Content is the facets or qualities of something. We say a picture is worth a thousand words - so when examining a subject, content is the thousand words that describe it. Relation is the ability to move from idea to idea. Speed is how fast it all happens. Think of those we call genius. What do they do? They fly from idea to idea at a blistering pace, with the depth of knowledge and the agility to pause or change direction in an instant. True genius can be overwhelming. That’s why we often don’t see the mechanisms of how genius works. In reality, these people are simply highly skilled at recognition, content, relation and speed. In practice, our intelligence is a race car in waiting, when not throttled by cycles of repetitive thoughts, beliefs and emotions. Dedicated thinking tools can help “cut through the haze” - making our process of understanding more efficient. Techniques of noise-filtering can mensa world journal march 2015

aid pattern recognition and content discovery. Thoughts and ideas can be chunked (or packed) for faster processing. When taking the Mensa test (where speed is essential), the workings of supermind are fascinating. As response-time quickens, intuition knows the answer before logic can verify it. It’s a very peculiar, instinctive (and sometimes unsettling) sense of knowing - without the “proof of correctness” from the logical mind that we’ve come to depend on. The idea of intelligence as an ability makes for interesting conclusions. One is that intelligence can be switched on and off at will. Olympic sprinters have the ability to run very fast - yet aren’t always doing so. Likewise with intelligence. We can be very smart when necessary, once we’ve learned how to operate intelligence. Genius-like ability isn’t just a numbers game of computational power. At its core, understanding just feels good. In a moment, our world is widened. A realm of existence previously dark becomes enlightened. Another piece of mystery becomes known. Science fiction is always giving us new and smarter heroes. But we can be heroes too. We can learn to consciously tap the workings of higher intelligence. Supermind has been a great idea for more than 2500 years. Perhaps its time has come. A member of US Mensa, Nathaniel Jaye is a financial journalist, speaker on intelligence

and founder of Ziprz, a new fashion company in San Francisco.

www.about.me/nathanjaye

Philae Has Landed They call it space exploration because nobody knows exactly what will happen. Indeed, a few unexpected events affected the Rosetta/Philae mission to Comet 67P. Firstly, Rosetta missed its original launch window due to a rocket failure in another mission. Because of this, Rosetta was retargeted and the Philae lander was redesigned to land on the somewhat larger comet it is now resting on. The landing, itself, had a combination of good luck and bad. Philae hit its target nicely, but it bounced when the harpoons and feet screws failed to fix it to the surface. So, it came to rest on its side - apparently against a cliff blocking much of the sunlight from its solar collectors - but deployed instruments and transmitted a bunch of data until its primary battery died. It will take a while for ESA to make sense of the information it has received. Philae has now gone to sleep because its batteries could not recharge, but there is a chance that it will wake up as the comet gets closer to the sun and stronger light falls on the solar panels. And, by the way, the orbiting Rosetta craft had been gathering information all this time. No matter what happens to Philae now, Rosetta will continue to orbit for 17 months unless the comet sandblasts it to oblivion when it gets closer to the sun. 67P is a tame comet that orbits between the Sun and the orbit of Jupiter with a six year period. It never looks brighter than 11th magnitude, so it is invisible to the unaided eye.

john blinke

m ensa wor ld j our na l MENSA INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2015 The art of photography is an area where Mensans from over 50 countries with different languages, customs and traditions can converge with a single, visual language! Use your creativity, skills, and technical expertise to produce your entry in this year’s PhotoCup competition. The theme for 2015 is Urgency! Let your imagination run wild. If your Mensa chapter is holding a national competition to select entries for the International phase, a set of the rules and closing dates will be available from your national office or board. Direct International Members and members from countries not holding national contests are eligible to enter the International competition directly. Details of entry for Direct International Members will be in the April Mensa World Journal.

The Mensa International Photographer of the Year 2015 could be you! Please direct any queries to the Director of Administration Therese Moodie-Bloom, admin-mil@mensa.org

officer directory Chair: Ms Elissa Rudolph, 14210 Nesting Way Apt C, Delray Beach, Florida 33484 USA chairman-mil@mensa.org Director Admin: Ms Therese Moodie-Bloom, 17/23 Waiwera St, Lavender Bay 2060 Australia admin-mil@mensa.org Director Development: Mr Björn Liljeqvist, Knektvägen 1, 196 30 Kungsängen Sweden development-mil@mensa.org Treasurer: Mr Rudy Challupner treasurer-mil@mensa.org Dir. Smaller National Mensas:: Mr Lars Endre Kjølstad, Grønligata 20a, NO3188 Horten, Norway

dsnm-mil@mensa.org Hon. President: Dr Abbie Salny, 407 Breckenridge, Wayne NJ 07470 USA Tel: +1 973 305 0055 SIGHTCoordinator: Mr Pierpaolo Vittorio SIGHT@mensa.org Int. SIG Coordinator: Ms Barbara Kryvko sigs@mensa.org Ombudsman: Mr Martyn Davies ombudsman@mensa.org Executive Director: Mr Michael Feenan, Slate Barn, Church Lane, Caythorpe, Lincolnshire NG32 3EL, UK Tel/Fax+44(0)1400272 675 mensainternational@mensa.org

Editorial Staff Editor: Ms Kate Nacard, 407/23 Corunna Rd, Stanmore NSW 2048 Australia mwjeditor@mensa.org T: +61 2 9516 1024 Science: Mr John Blinke Johnb44221@cs.com Books: Mr Tom Elliott tme@verizon.net The Mensa World Journal (MWJ) is produced under the auspices of the Mensa International Board of Directors. Mandatory content as identified by the MWJ editor must be published in every national Mensa magazine. Publication of other content is recommended but optional. Opinions expressed in the MWJ are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any other individual or any official Mensa body. Submission Guidelines: Language: English only. Text: MS Word (Windows), .rtf (Word/Mac), plain text, PageMaker (Windows), InDesign (Windows) Length: 500 word limit. Send by e-mail, fax, snail mail to the Editor. The Editor reserves the right to include or edit submissions for space and content considerations. All unoriginal submissions must be accompanied by written permission for publication from the original author.Permission is granted for MWJ articles to be reprinted in any Mensa publication provided that the author, MWJ and MWJ’s editor are acknowledged. Permission must be sought from the MWJ editor for reprinting of any part of the MWJ in non-Mensa publications. mensa world journal march 2015

m ensa wor ld j our na l supplementally... New Worlds New Scientist, November 15, 2014, p. 17. “Young Star Shows Up Model’s Flaws.” Scientists think they know how the solar system formed. Still, it would be nice to find examples elsewhere in space so we can check the accuracy of the theories. But no telescope has been able to show us a solar system in the process of being born - until now. The ALMA telescope in Chile (Atacama Large Millimetersubmillimeter Array) has given astronomers such a wonderful image of nascent solar system, HL Tauri (pictured above), that they are just putting their socks back on. The Building Comets Science News Kindle Edition, Janu- picture mostly shows them what they ary 10, 2015. “Comet May Expose its expected, except that planets seem to be forming faster than expected in Building Blocks.” the protoplanetary disk. The Rosetta orbiter continues to lurch around Comet 67P, snapping Bedbugs pictures all the time. It has found ScienceDaily, Destrange looking spheres exposed in cember 24, 2014. ravines and cliff faces. Some of the “Putting Bedbugs spheres are a meter or two across. Scientists don’t know what they are, to Bed Forever.” Does Cimex but it’s possible they might be the basic building blocks that comets are lectularius bug made from. This is a new clue about you? (That’s the the way icy bodies form in our solar common bedbug.) Hang in there for another year and a solution might be system. on the shelf of your neighborhood Asteroid Orbiter ScienceDaily, December 30, 2014. “Dawn Spacecraft Begins Approach to Dwarf Planet Ceres.” Around the time that you read this, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft should go into orbit around the asteroid, Ceres. It has already spent 14 months near asteroid Vesta, so Dawn will be the first craft to orbit two different solar system bodies other than Earth - a feat that is only possible because the craft uses an ion drive. Unlike Vesta, Ceres is covered in thick ice. That is one of the few facts we have about it, other than its diameter of 590 miles. More facts will come shortly.

mensa world journal march 2015

john blinke supermarket. Scientists at Simon Fraser University have isolated the volatile chemicals that make bedbugs swoon. The message delivered is not just a mating signal. It also tells the bloodsucking little monsters that they have found a safe place to hide. So they stay near scent traps, even if a juicy human body is nearby. This development arrives just in time to (we hope) rescue us from a global infestation of bedbugs. Common wisdom has told us that Cimex lectularius, however disgusting, was not a disease carrier. However, scientists now think it is able to carry Chagas disease. Spinoff space.com, October 8, 2014. “NASA Mars Rover Laser Tech Adapted to Hunt Gas Leaks on Earth.” There seems to be methane on Mars - but not very much. It could be a sign of bacterial life somewhere on the Red Planet. So, the Curiosity rover is using a NASA laser device to find the gas. This technology is being adapted for use on Earth, too. California has a law requiring utility companies to minimize gas waste. So the laser gas detector will be used to safely sniff out leaks. One big leak caused a gas line explosion that blew up a neighborhood and killed eight people in 2010. The gas company was hit with a $1.4 billion fine.

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