If you think Facebook and MySpace are crowded with brainless average Joes, then you should check out IntelligentPeople.com, a new social network with a self-described mission to “[offer] you the opportunity to meet and form relationships with people who, like you, have an IQ higher than the average person.” However, to become a member, you must pass the website’s IQ test. Despite its revolutionary appeal, I think the folks at IntelligentPeople.com are missing the mark on this one.

First of all, I like the differentiation concept. If you consider the existing state of affairs carefully, you will quickly realize that most social networks are packed with—for the lack of a better qualifier—dull people. How can you establish a meaningful conversation with a super-poking, install-every-application-and-invite-the-world maniac?

Although I do think there are nice, fairly interesting people using most social networks, they are a small, hardly noticeable minority. Because of this situation, there is a genuine necessity to move from a general, let-everyone-in community to a more specialized type of networking website, such as networks of people with similar characteristics and interests.

One excellent example is LinkedIn.com. This site targets individuals looking to expand their professional network while enabling them to post questions and retrieve answers from experts in particular fields.

Another exceptional example is Ning.com. The minds behind Ning.com decided to take things up a notch by letting users create their own fully customizable social network centering on any topic. In fact, the last time I checked, HookahDomain was one of the most popular networks at Ning.com.

However, the customization movement has taken a life of its own. Even cats have social networks nowadays, and I am not talking about icanhascheezburger.com. Yes. Cats! Check out fuzzster.com. Go. Do it. You never saw that coming, did you?

So why do I think IntelligentPeople.com is such a bad idea? The site’s attempt to differentiate itself from other social communities is not the problem. (Personally, I think that’s brilliant.) However, the issue resides in its implementation. The requirement for prospective users to take a test is bound to entice people to do the inevitable: cheat.

Yes, people may, and most likely will, cheat. Someone will find a way to bypass the website’s idiot-proof mechanism. Someone may even publish the answers online to prove that “they’re not that smart after all.” The result will be another swarm of half-witted users clogging the tubes.

What about the test itself? Will it be general enough to overcome cultural and educational biases? The site’s creators have assured that this will not be an issue; however, I have my reservations.

Regardless, I give kudos to the guys at IntelligentPeople.com. Even if their modus operandi may not be the best, it is definitely a step in the right direction. I wonder what they will think of next. Consider the options:

ComicalPeople.com
Jokes are what we’re all about.
AngryPeople.com
Because life is a female dog and then you die.
WiiLovers.com
Because Wii can.