An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three)

Interviewer: Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Numbering: Issue 11.A, Idea: Outliers & Outsiders (Part Seven)

Place of Publication: Langley, British Columbia, Canada

Title: In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal

Web Domain: http://www.in-sightjournal.com

Individual Publication Date: June 15, 2016

Issue Publication Date: September 1, 2016

Name of Publisher: In-Sight Publishing

Frequency: Three Times Per Year

Words: 3,254

ISSN 2369-6885

Abstract

An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc. He discusses: possible reasons for smart people joining the high-IQ world and high-IQ testing; reasons they should join; serving exceptional intellectual and creative talent; provisions for the gifted populations; inculcation of prosocial values for the gifted individual and society; convincing reason to provide for this sector of society; assisting the gifted population; responsibilities of the gifted and talented towards society; definition of genius; hastening discovery of the world’s geniuses; accidental repetition of the question on definition of genius; genius in an era with technology making everyone smarter; impressive intelligence tests; definition of the spiritual; the heart of valid spiritual traditions; personal interest in joining chapters, councils, lodges, and orders; important lessons from the chapters, councils, lodges, and orders; and unification of mystic traditions across culture, geography, and time.

Keywords: geniuses, high-IQ, Jason Betts, World Genius Directory.

An Interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three)^{[1],[2],[3],[4]}

*Footnotes, bibliography, and citation style listing after the interview.*

25. What might motivate smart people to join the high-IQ world and high-IQ testing?

Curiosity and the search for friendship on an intellectual basis. Self-knowledge is a powerful thing and many find this IQ a part of their process, learning about themselves, their abilities, and also the social side that is available with it. Some stay, some leave, some just visit when they feel the need – but we’re always here. 🙂

26. Why should smart people join the high-IQ world and high-IQ testing?

They shouldn’t. They can if they want to, but there’s no judgement they should. Most smart folk know they’re smart and don’t need an IQ test to prove it, which is a bit of a pity because the rest of the world – and especially those in HiQ World – would be really interested. High-IQ testing is an ever-growing and evolving field, with new tests, types of tests and theories of intelligence always being produced – that’s not going away, just because it’s really interesting!

27. How can we best serve those of exceptional intellectual and creative talent?

I think the answer to that is the same as if you’re asking about any group of people on Earth: with honesty, compassion and helpfulness, so they can grow and thrive, develop and evolve, just like any other class of people. I would hope, though, and wish, that intellectuals would have a bigger say in the running and management of this planet. So far, the existing oligarchy isn’t doing such a good job. Likewise, religion should be kept separate from politics, and never have anything to do with policy. Time is short.

28. Many organizations provide for the needs of the moderately gifted ability sectors of the general population, most often adults and sometimes children. However, few provide for the needs of children (and adults) in the high, profound, exceptional, or ‘unmeasurable’ ability sectors of the general population. (Of course, this does not mean pity or special privileges for those with the advantage of gifts and talents in life, especially early life.) Some organizations and societies provide forums, retreats, journals, intelligence tests, literature, or outlets for the highest ability sub-populations. What can individuals, organizations, and societies do to provide for the gifted population?

I think that’s a bit like the previous question, and the answer is the onus of each specific organisation. For example, in Australian Mensa, we have a Gifted Childrens Fund, which grants successful applicants (including non-members) financial assistance to achieve specific goals they could not afford themselves.

29. From the vantage of the adult and senior gifted set, how might we inculcate prosocial values most net beneficial to both the gifted individual and society?

Careful now, this might lead to the Dark Side of Philosophy, a.k.a. religion. Seriously, teach all kids philosophy. Get them to think for themselves, and question their thinking, intentions, consequences. There’s so much good, basic and useful philosophy from many cultures one doesn’t have to look far to find thinking tools that are useful for teaching children to think, and then teach, thinking and teaching.

30. What argument most convinces you of the need to provide for this sector of society?

Does one throw seed upon the rocky and sandy field, or upon the rich, moist and fertile soily field? If the choice is there, we chose the one with the most potential for good and consequence, the one with the higher rung upon Aristotle’s Ladder; we should teach all, help all, but where possible, help to create the bright and best possible, for those are the leaders of thought and the finest of the Human Mind, so far.

31. How can parents, mentors, educators, and policymakers assist the gifted population?

I am so glad this has started to happen. As a past educator of high school science and math I have witnessed it as a grass-roots movement of parents making choices and voices to their children’s schools and the schools and education departments responding. Of course, it was the private schools first, motivated by simple economic carrots, but of course, that did lead to a revolution of ‘gifted children’s programs’. Well, at least here in Australia!

32. What responsibilities do the gifted and talented population have towards society and culture?

Sapientia est Potentias, and of course, from Ben Parker again, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Gifted and talented are not quite the same, either, and every person has within them a knack – a thing – that they can do. Not everyone finds theirs, nor even develops it; but those that do know it, perform it, and can use that to find their place in the World and make it just that little bit better. For the moral duty, I ask you, if you have the power to help – if you could, and you know you should – would you? It’s a self-judgement and internal motive that begs the answer, and truly, it’s everyone’s own choice of freedom.

33. What defines genius to you?

One of my IQ mentors, Dr Greg Grove, says it best with the motto of his Mysterium Society: “Originality, Creativity and Ingenuity”. To me, this is to be original and unique, to create works of use and beauty, and doing it in a clever and new way that defines an intellectual perspective. Otherwise, you’re just smart, perhaps foolish, and even one of many, working in a difficult field but not achieving genius results. A genius creates things – new and wonderful things – that are just not clever, but useful, helpful, and profound, that will change the way we enjoy and experience life, enriching the human race and survival.

34. What might hasten discovery of the world’s geniuses?

IQ testing is the trite answer, but what we really have is a steady-state situation, where the flux is the number of geniuses in the world and the level is the number recognised. So, as per the rules of steady-state, there’s three main activities to maximise this and the strategy should encompass all three.  1) Create more geniuses. Do this by teaching children to think with values that are humanistic in nature, like honesty, science, reason and the creative arts, and not influenced by any ulterior motive or bias.  2) Nurture the geniuses you have, in mind and body, and cultivate and environment (or environments, be they physical centres of learning and growing, or electronic environments, like IQ societies, etc) of sharing, support and growth of their ideas, ‘genius’ (creativity, originality, ingenuity) and of course focussed on the topics and matters of need in the day.  3) Search for geniuses, in an active, ordered, arranged and determined way, with specific purpose and plan for implementation once you’ve found them. This is done via educational networks (universities), institutions for publishing excellence (Nobel, TEDx, etc) and of course there’s the societial cultus (YouTube, FaceBook, etc), including the desire of one’s self to be tested and deliberately work with IQ.

35. What defines genius to you?

Embracing the Intellectual Godhood within. Using it, and being better, creating better, evolving self.

36. Does genius matter in an era where technology makes everyone smarter than before?

Of course! Who created the technology, repairs it, and whom will make the next lot of technology?! Smart is not genius. Genius is taking stock of that you’ve got, seeing what’s there and what’s needed, and then creating something new, different, useful and brilliant that’s not been done before (no one’s thought of it yet) and create a new paradigm and set of possibilities for that situation – to open a new door, and walk through.

37. Whose intelligence tests impress you?

Well, mine, of course! I often surprise myself in creating them, be they Eureka! style moments or those created in the genius-flow, or sometimes even in the mundane mechanisms of ordered thought. To be fair, I consider my tests an art form and have created many new formats of tests, in originality, creativity and ingenuity, so I’m pretty pleased with myself. In terms of other people, there are different classes, so it’s hard to mention just one or two names. Of the old guard, Ron Hoeflin, Nik Lygeros and Paul Cooijmans are all worthy of respect and greatness, pioneers in the modern field. Of special note, Paul’s practical guidelines and statistical devices have been regarded very useful and revolutionary in the field.

38. What defines the spiritual to you?

‘The Spiritual’ is the non-physical world that intersects with humanity through our consciousness to our minds and brains, of things dead, distant and unknowable, but still within the reach of thought. In connection there is a high incidence of an awareness of an inner morality and self-awareness that may previously have been ignored in behaviour and judgements but may be ‘awakened’ due to stressful or intense events, such as near-death experiences, drugs, extreme sensory stimulation and extreme suffering.

39. What seems like the heart of valid spiritual traditions – their superset?

This is a very good question. I would say Truth and Understanding of Nature and Reality as a basis, and then, perhaps, a technology of control and mastery of that reality. As I have been taught, “Honesty is the doorway of self-knowledge” and “Before one can know everything, one must know one’s self.” Likewise, self-mastery is required before becoming a ‘Master of the Universe.’ Interestingly, Truth and Understanding and two of the three components for communication (according to I), the third being Clarity. All three are powerful metaphysical concepts which is why I write them as proper nouns.

40. You hold positions in various chapters, councils, lodges, and orders including Abbot of the The Order of the Mystic Rose, Member of the Order of Merit (2015) for the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree, Knight Kadosh Thirtieth Degree (2012) for the Holy Grail Sovereign Chapter in Tasmania, Most Wise Sovereign (2012) of the Holy Sepulchre Sovereign Chapter in Tasmania,Knight of St John the Evangelist (2004) for the Patriarchal Council of Scotland, Knight of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine (2004) for the Grand Imperial Council of Scotland, Knight of HRM and the Rosy Cross (2003) for the Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland. Where does personal interest originate for you?

My patriarchal line consists of teachers and priests for many generations, my grandfather an ordaned minister within the Anglician Church, my father lay preacher/liturgical assistant, both Freemasons. Further up is an Indian chap (5th gen) and to him I attribute my skin tone, green eyes and some innate mannerisms and memories to this cultural heritage. Specifically and directly, my interest in the Western Mystery School Tradition has been since a young age, before my near-death accident; but upon awakening my ‘other consciousness’ in that event I have memberance of other skills, other experiences, affinities for the obscure and antient … other lives. Finally, ‘I have arrived’, and am now known as Dr Jason Betts, Emerald Alchemist, as says my letterhead. My carriage is the Mystiqmobile and has its name MYSTIQ upon the plate.

41. What important lessons come from these chapters, councils, lodges, and orders for you?

Each degree has its own lesson. This is the same for most orders but also any kind of school of initiation where ‘the knowledge changes you’. This is not the same for most knowledge, which is largely information. Data may inform (or not), but knowledge changes. It creates ‘knowing’. These systems of thought and initiation guide the student into higher and higher states of being and awareness. Yes, there are requirements, but not religious ones, for free-thought and imagination are requirements, and faith, of sorts, so that the incomprehensible may be comprehended. There is a common format, across the organisations over time and space, and that is that the lessons are taught in parts, and that it’s the initiates work to integrate them into the concept-answer-solution. Even then, the fuller-wisdom does not descend until the ‘fullness’ of the lesson is integrated into their life and being – such is the way of the Western Mystery School Tradition. As an example, the first mystery comes in these symbollic parts:  1) Latin: Lux ex Tenebris,  2) Virtue: Consciousness,  3) Visual: Black and White (Chinese, the Taiji; Western: Chequers),  4) Contemplation: Knowledge and Ignorance,  5) Exercise: Personally given by the Master to the student to seek and find the nature of the concept such that it become apparent to the seeker.

42. What unites mystic traditions across culture, geography, and time?

I can only suppose that it is the fibre of their being, in structure, content and purpose, that connects them in similarity, rather than any other definition. To me, this is ‘the method of intellectual awakening’ by words of wisdom that take the initiate from hither to yon, whereas they wouldn’t take the ignorant to anywhere; these words fall only upon those with ears to hear, only upon those with eyes to see, and ne’er the unworthy nor corrupt see or hear the Truth, lest they use it for purposes malicious and dastardely.

Appendix I: Footnotes

[1] Abbot, The Order of the Mystic Rose; Member, HOTA High IQ Societies; Member, Helliq Society; Member, Prometheus Society; Member, Australian Mensa; Member, The Triple Nine Society; Member, Australian Psychics Association; Member, Masonic Grand Lodge of Tasmania; Member, Infinity International Society; Member, Triple Nine Society; Member, ISI-Society; Australia’s #1 Distributor (2007), ForeverGreen’s FrequenSea Health Tonic; Owner (2004), Emerald Alchemy, Mail-Order Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants; Owner (2000), Taslife Intl, Mail-Order Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants; Self Employed (1998), Acupuncture, Massage, Reiki, Nutritional Therapist; High School Teacher (Science/Maths, 1996), Dept. of Education, Tasmania; Editor/Publisher (1995), Tasmania’s Alternative & Natural Therapy Directory; Founder/Organiser (1995), Tasmanian Psychic Expos; Started Teaching Magical Tarot (1993), Numerology and the Hebrew Qabala; Started Reading Playing Cards (1990); Professional Magical Tarot (1992); Member of the Order of Merit (2015), Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree; Knight Kadosh Thirtieth Degree (2012), Holy Grail Soverign Chapter, Tasmania; Most Wise Soverign (2012), Holy Sepulchre Soverign Chapter, Tasmania; Knight of St John the Evangelist (2004), Patriarchal Council of Scotland; Knight of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine (2004), Grand Imperial Council of Scotland; Knight of HRM and the Rosy Cross (2003), Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland.

[2] Individual Publication Date: June 15, 2016 at www.in-sightjournal.com; Full Issue Publication Date: September 1, 2016 at https://in-sightjournal.com/insight-issues/.

[3] Diploma of Homoeopathy (Dip. Hom, 2001), Medicina Alternativa University (Sri Lanka); Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, 1999), Medicina Alternativa University (Sri Lanka); Registered Marriage Celebrant (1999), Order of the Mystic Rose, Inc. (A4699); Founder/Abbot (1998), Order of the Mystic Rose, Inc. (Tas. #3885); Diploma of Metaphysical Counselling (Dip.MC, 1998), Order of the Mystic Rose (Tasmania); Diploma of Acupuncture (Dip.Ac, 1998), Medicina Alternativa University (Sri Lanka); Certificate of Membership (1998), Acupuncture Foundation of Sri Lanka; Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa, 1997)(DSc), Medicina Alternativa University; Reiki Sensei (Master/Teacher) Certificate (1997), Lee-Anne Bennett (SA); Post Grad. Diploma of Metaphysical Science (Dip.MSc, 1997), Lindlahr College (WA); Bachelor of Science (BSc, 1996), University of Tasmania (Mathematics/Philosophy); Diploma of Remedial Massage (Dip.RM, 1995), Chi-Med College (Tasmania); Certificates in Iridology, Shiatsu and Swedish Massage (1995), Chi-Med College (Tasmania); Advanced Certificate (1992), Usui Method of Reiki Healing; Basic Certificate (1991), Usui Method of Reiki Healing; Certificate (1991), Quantum Dynamics Rebirthing Technique; 30^th Degree Freemason; Buddhu Reiki Shihan; Winner (2010), Tasmanian Psychic of the Year, Australian Psychics Association; Winner (2008), Australian Psychic of the Year, Australian Psychic Association; Founder, Tasmanian Psychic Expos; First Principal, Royal Arch Chapter (2003), Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland; Right Worshipful Master, Mark Lodge (2003), Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland; Master (2002), Tasmanian Union Craft Lodge, Grand Lodge of Tasmanial; Rites of Druidism (2002), Anglesea Lodge, United Ancient Order of Druids, Victoria; Cross Degrees (2002), Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland; Knight of the Pelican and Eagle (2001), Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree of Scotland; Royal Master Degree (2001), Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland; Royal Ark Mariners Degree (2000), Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland; Royal Arch Degree (1998), Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland; Grand Lodge Certificate (1996), Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Tasmania; Discoverer (2012), hexagonally symmetrical circles sequence (OEIS A218146); Discoverer, base-prime integer sequences (OEIS A21551, A126359); Founder, Tasmanian Natural Therapy Directory; Editor, World Genius Directory; Editor, IQ Societies List; IQ Test Constructor, Lux25, WIT, Mathema, and Asterix; Creator, Betts Square Arithmetic Tool and Number Representation, The Betts Virtuegrams; 30th Anniversary Psychic Ambassador Award (2013), Australian Psychics Association; Australia’s Top Psychic, ABC TV’s Unbelievable, Episode One; TV Star Psychic (2008), Channel 7’s ‘The One’, Fox Studios Sydney; Founder, EarthHeart.com.au; Member, Mensa International.

[4] Images/photographs/portraits/sketches courtesy of Dr. Jason Betts.

 

Appendix II: Citation Style Listing

American Medical Association (AMA): Jacobsen S. An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three) [Online].June 2016; 11(A). Available from: http://www.in-sightjournal.com/an-interview-with-dr-jason-betts-b-sc-dip-m-sc-ph-d-d-sc-emerald-alchemist-part-three.

American Psychological Association (APA, 6^th Edition, 2010): Jacobsen, S.D. (2016, June 15). An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three). Retrieved from http://www.in-sightjournal.com/an-interview-with-dr-jason-betts-b-sc-dip-m-sc-ph-d-d-sc-emerald-alchemist-part-three.

Brazilian National Standards (ABNT): JACOBSEN, S. An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three). In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal. 11.A, June. 2016. <http://www.in-sightjournal.com/an-interview-with-dr-jason-betts-b-sc-dip-m-sc-ph-d-d-sc-emerald-alchemist-part-three>.

Chicago/Turabian, Author-Date (16^th Edition): Jacobsen, Scott. 2016. “An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three).” In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal. 11.A. http://www.in-sightjournal.com/an-interview-with-dr-jason-betts-b-sc-dip-m-sc-ph-d-d-sc-emerald-alchemist-part-three.

Chicago/Turabian, Humanities (16^th Edition): Jacobsen, Scott “An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three).” In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal. 11.A (June 2016). http://www.in-sightjournal.com/an-interview-with-dr-jason-betts-b-sc-dip-m-sc-ph-d-d-sc-emerald-alchemist-part-three.

Harvard: Jacobsen, S. 2016, ‘An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three)’, In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal, vol. 11.A. Available from: <http://www.in-sightjournal.com/an-interview-with-dr-jason-betts-b-sc-dip-m-sc-ph-d-d-sc-emerald-alchemist-part-three>.

Harvard, Australian: Jacobsen, S. 2016, ‘An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three)‘, In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal, vol. 11.A., http://www.in-sightjournal.com/an-interview-with-dr-jason-betts-b-sc-dip-m-sc-ph-d-d-sc-emerald-alchemist-part-three.

Modern Language Association (MLA, 7^th Edition, 2009): Scott D. Jacobsen. “An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three).” In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal 11.A (2016):June. 2016. Web. <http://www.in-sightjournal.com/an-interview-with-dr-jason-betts-b-sc-dip-m-sc-ph-d-d-sc-emerald-alchemist-part-three>.

Vancouver/ICMJE: Jacobsen S. An interview with Dr. Jason Betts, B.Sc., Dip.M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.: Emerald Alchemist (Part Three) [Internet]. (2016, June); 11(A). Available from: http://www.in-sightjournal.com/an-interview-with-dr-jason-betts-b-sc-dip-m-sc-ph-d-d-sc-emerald-alchemist-part-three.

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