Letter: Mensa blues

Saturday 06 April 1996 23:02 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THOSE interested in denigrating a group of persons will surely find useful wording in your article about a meeting of Mensa: "... receding chin ... bulging, inquisitive eyes ... bearded ... boomed and gestured ... thin, jittery men ... wears spectacles

This kind of verbiage is familiar in other contexts - for instance, by the scientifically illiterate who wish to attack scientists, and indeed by anyone wishing to promote a negative perception of a group of people.

Dr R A Beatty

Loanhead, Midlothian

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Letter: Mensa blues

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering