Triple Nine Society
Encyclopedia
The Triple Nine Society (TNS), founded in 1978, is a voluntary association
of individuals who have scored at or above the 99.9th percentile
on specific IQ tests (or similar) under supervised conditions, which generally correlates
to an IQ of 149 or greater (assuming a standard deviation
of 16). This compares with Mensa International
, the better-known and larger membership high IQ society
which admits applicants who score at or above the 98th percentile, which currently correlates with an IQ score of 132 or greater on an IQ test such as the Cattell
which has a standard deviation of 16. TNS also accepts 99.9th percentile
scores on selected standardized tests as a basis for admission.
As of June 2010, TNS reports approximately 980 members residing in approximately 30 countries, with most members residing in the United States
.
TNS publishes a journal entitled Vidya which contains articles contributed by members conversant with a variety of subjects. Members communicate with one another through email
lists
, a scheduled weekly IRC chat, and meet at arranged gatherings; European members have established a group in XING
.
The Triple Nine Society was founded on democratic
principles. TNS states that the group encourages the free expression of member views. The preamble to the Triple Nine Society constitution follows below:
Voluntary association
A voluntary association or union is a group of individuals who enter into an agreement as volunteers to form a body to accomplish a purpose.Strictly speaking, in many jurisdictions no formalities are necessary to start an association...
of individuals who have scored at or above the 99.9th percentile
Percentile
In statistics, a percentile is the value of a variable below which a certain percent of observations fall. For example, the 20th percentile is the value below which 20 percent of the observations may be found...
on specific IQ tests (or similar) under supervised conditions, which generally correlates
Correlation
In statistics, dependence refers to any statistical relationship between two random variables or two sets of data. Correlation refers to any of a broad class of statistical relationships involving dependence....
to an IQ of 149 or greater (assuming a standard deviation
Standard deviation
Standard deviation is a widely used measure of variability or diversity used in statistics and probability theory. It shows how much variation or "dispersion" there is from the average...
of 16). This compares with Mensa International
Mensa International
Mensa is the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world. It is a non-profit organization open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardised, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test...
, the better-known and larger membership high IQ society
High IQ society
A high IQ society is an organization that limits its membership to people who are within a certain high percentile of Intelligence quotient test results. The oldest, largest and best-known such society is Mensa International, which was founded by Roland Berrill and Dr. Lancelot Ware in 1946...
which admits applicants who score at or above the 98th percentile, which currently correlates with an IQ score of 132 or greater on an IQ test such as the Cattell
Cattell Culture Fair III
In seeking to develop a culture-fair intelligence or IQ test that separated environmental and genetic factors, Raymond B. Cattell created the CFIT or Culture Fair Intelligence Test. Cattell argued that general intelligence exists and that it consists of fluid intelligence and crystallized...
which has a standard deviation of 16. TNS also accepts 99.9th percentile
Percentile
In statistics, a percentile is the value of a variable below which a certain percent of observations fall. For example, the 20th percentile is the value below which 20 percent of the observations may be found...
scores on selected standardized tests as a basis for admission.
As of June 2010, TNS reports approximately 980 members residing in approximately 30 countries, with most members residing in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
TNS publishes a journal entitled Vidya which contains articles contributed by members conversant with a variety of subjects. Members communicate with one another through email
Email
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
lists
Mailing list
A mailing list is a collection of names and addresses used by an individual or an organization to send material to multiple recipients. The term is often extended to include the people subscribed to such a list, so the group of subscribers is referred to as "the mailing list", or simply "the...
, a scheduled weekly IRC chat, and meet at arranged gatherings; European members have established a group in XING
Xing
Xing may refer to:* an abbreviation for crossing, primarily used in North America* Qiao Xing Universal Telephone Inc. * XING, a social network platform* Xing County, in Shanxi, China* Xing - A Korean boyband...
.
The Triple Nine Society was founded on democratic
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
principles. TNS states that the group encourages the free expression of member views. The preamble to the Triple Nine Society constitution follows below:
Notable members
- Ronald Hoeflin, philosopher
- Mike KeefeMike KeefeMike Keefe is an American editorial cartoonist best known for his work at the Denver Post, for which he has drawn cartoons since 1975. His cartoons are nationally syndicated, and have appeared in hundreds of newspapers as well as in Europe, Asia, and most major U.S...
, editorial cartoonist, Pulitzer PrizePulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winner - Kirk KirkpatrickKirk KirkpatrickHarold W. "Kirk" Kirkpatrick is the founder and CEO of MDS America Inc. Corporation, a telecommunications services company that designs, manufactures, installs, and maintains proprietary Digital Wireless Broadcasting systems for telecommunications operators worldwide.- Information systems...
, businessman - Jack SchaefferJack SchaefferJack Schaeffer is an American musician, recording artist, record producer and arranger.-Music career:...
, musician - Robert ForsterRobert ForsterRobert Forster is an American actor, best known for his roles as John Cassellis in Haskell Wexler's Medium Cool, and as Max Cherry in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, the latter of which gained him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.- Early life :Forster was born Robert Wallace...
, actor