British toddler becomes youngest-ever member of the Mensa high-IQ club
A two-year-old British boy has become the youngest ever member of Mensa, the exclusive club that only welcomes people with an IQ of 132 or above, according to Guinness World Records. Joseph Harris-Birtill, born on November 23, 2021, was admitted to the organization at the age of just two years and 182 days.
"It soon became clear that he was an exceptional little being," Harris-Birtill's mother Rose told Guinness World Records. "He first rolled over at five weeks, said his first word at seven months, and read his first book out loud from cover to cover at one-and-three-quarter years."
"He's learning morse code, knows the Greek alphabet, and has recently gotten interested in the periodic table," his mother said. "His interests are vast and varied, and he is always keen to learn more and loves a challenge."
Harris-Birtill's parents — who both work at Scotland's prestigious University of St. Andrews — told Guinness World Records they first decided to reach out to Mensa to find more support for Joseph after seeing how early he'd started reading.
"I searched online for any further support available, and saw that Mensa offers resources and membership for highly able children," Rose said. "We hope that this accomplishment can give him a sense of pride when he is older – it's a very unusual accolade and the credit is all his!"
Harris-Birtill is 13 days younger than the youngest female member of Mensa was, American Isla McNabb, when she was admitted to the club in 2022. He also has, by default, taken the title of Britain's youngest Mensa member, topping Teddy Hobbs who achieved that rank at the age of four in 2023.
Rose, Harris-Birtill's mother, said she hoped sharing her son's story would help raise awareness about the unique needs of children like her son.
"It is a common misconception that everything is super easy for gifted children. But everyone needs appropriate stimulation and understanding throughout their lives, and highly able learners can sadly have their unique talents dimmed by the pressure to fit into environments that simply haven't been properly designed for them," she told Guinness World Records. "Joseph is fortunate enough to attend a brilliant nursery and has an excellent music teacher, and in Mensa we hope to provide him with a community of peers as a source of further support as his formidable intellect continues to grow and develop."
Trump delivers Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery
SpaceX loses contact with its Starship, spins out of control
Elon Musk says Trump's "big, beautiful bill" undermines work of DOGE team
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fellow Republicans: Memorial Day heroes did not die for a party or personality
It was heartwarming to see so many Americans on Memorial Day post tributes to fallen heroes. For so many people, this past observance of the national holiday wasn't about barbecues or the unofficial start of summer. It was a day to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Predictably, my social media feed was flooded with patriotic posts from politicians — photos at memorials, quotes about sacrifice and tributes to the fallen. The hypocrisy was glaring. The very lawmakers who honor those who 'paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms' are the ones seemingly disregarding the constitutional principles those heroes gave their lives to defend. Congress is a coequal branch of government, tasked with serving as a check on executive power. Yet too many Republican lawmakers have abandoned that responsibility, choosing loyalty to the president over constitutional duty. In doing so, they've effectively surrendered their legislative authority, allowing — and in some cases even encouraging — President Donald Trump to govern through a record number of executive actions. When Republicans are not turning a blind eye to executive overreach, they're folding under pressure — bullied, threatened and strong-armed by the White House into abandoning core principles and passing legislative monstrosities like the 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' Voters sent members of Congress to Washington to serve the people — not to act as lapdogs for the president. And while we're on it, the very concept of a 'One Big Beautiful Bill' flies in the face of everything Republicans have long championed. For decades, Republican leaders demanded stand-alone legislation so each proposal could be debated and judged on its own merits - not buried in bloated packages stuffed with poison pills. Yet here we all are, watching the extension of the Trump tax cuts being held hostage inside a massive spending package. And what about the Department of Government Efficiency cuts? If Congress was going to pass a bill of this magnitude, the least it could do is include those cuts and show real commitment to reducing the size of the federal government. Instead, we're staring at a $4 trillion debt ceiling hike. I expect that kind of recklessness from Democrats — not from a Republican-controlled Congress. Republicans used to draw a hard line on debt. Now, GOP leaders are caving to Trump's demands with little resistance. But this isn't about fiscal responsibility — it's about the integrity of the Constitution. It's about Republicans in Congress abdicating their authority and becoming an obedient extension of the White House. The separation of powers is meant to safeguard liberty, not to be brushed aside for political convenience. Democrats aren't off the hook. They're just as guilty — perhaps more so. They lied about President Joe Biden's health and participated in a coordinated cover-up to deceive the American people. I don't need Jake Tapper's book to tell me what I saw with my own eyes: a frail president incapable of executing the duties of his office. In choosing to gaslight the public, Democrats didn't just erode trust. They made it clear that holding on to power matters more than telling the truth, more than transparency, and more than the republic itself. America deserves better. Those men and women that Americans honored on Memorial Day did not die for a party or a personality. They died because liberty, freedom, and democracy are not just ideals to be admired — they are values worth defending, even at the highest cost. Their bravery is not simply a chapter in our history. It is the very foundation upon which our freedom stands. If we truly wish to honor the nation's fallen heroes, it must be through action. That requires preserving the separation of powers, upholding the rule of law and respecting the checks and balances that form the backbone of our republic. The greatest tribute we can offer those who died for our freedom is to prove ourselves worthy of their ultimate sacrifice. Matt Wylie is a South Carolina-based Republican political strategist and analyst with over 25 years of experience working on federal, state and local campaigns.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Britain's Got Talent fans left divided as magician Harry Moulding crowned winner
Harry Moulding has won the 2025 Britain's Got Talent final, and fans are split over the decision. After a number of weeks and hundreds of acts performing in front of the judges, the magician from Blackpool beat out 10 others to be crowned the winner. Harry, 24, from Blackpool, has earned himself £250,000 and will perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the royal family. But fans have been left split over the fan vote. Taking to X, fans have voiced their divided opinion over the magician's win. Some were pleased, with one saying: "I'm so pleased for this guy, he is what a great variety act should be and really likeable guy, I can see him presenting a show on TV and we need more people on TV like him, well done Harry." Another said: "He was absolutely brilliant this series he deserved to win." A third added: "Congratulations Harry. Such a likeable and talented young man." However, others were not too fond of the choice. One said: "Only won because he jumped out of a plane. Totally undeserved." "British public ruining things again," another added. Harry is a magician from the North West, with his website saying: "Harry has performed at hundreds of events across the UK and worldwide, including intimate magic shows as well as hosting to audiences of thousands. " First starting magic at just 11 years old. Harry entered magic competitions as a youngster and won various trophies. And here it is, the big one... 🏆 Your WINNER of #BGT Series 18 is.... HARRY MOULDING! Huuuge congratulations, you have been absolutely sensational! 👏👏👏#BritainsGotTalent #BGTFinal — BGT (@BGT) May 31, 2025 When Harry left school, he joined the cast of the Award-Winning House of Illusion Magic and Mystery Theatre Show in Spain. His magic performances left the audience and judges stunned during his time on Britain's Got Talent. A surprise proposal as part of his semi-final act left viewers of the ITV show "in tears". Harry received the golden buzzer from KSI in the semis, meaning he was straight into the final. His card trick act for the final featured a video of him skydiving out of a plane. Recommended reading: Britain's Got Talent final viewers disappointed as judges' wildcard act revealed Ant and Dec forced to apologise on BGT final after Bruno Tonioli comment Britain's Got Talent's most viewed audition that led to over 1bn streams of song After his win, Harry fell to his knees in shock. Speaking after to Ant and Dec, he said: "I can't believe what is going on, thank you everyone so so much. "I genuinely feel like everyone has been behind me. This has been the most incredible journey.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
His Song ‘Married in a Year' Is a Runaway Meme. He's Just Stoked People Are Singing Along
In today's fast-paced digital world, posting a video of yourself is tantamount to signing an ironclad agreement that whatever happens next is far, far out of your control. And even if he didn't know it at the time, Brendan Abernathy quickly learned that lesson last week when his mom sent him a cryptic text message: 'I'm so glad you're with friends right now.' 'I was like, 'what?' Abernathy tells Rolling Stone over zoom, hands stretched out above his blond hair. 'So I open social media and I start scrolling. And I [get] a sinking feeling.' More from Rolling Stone Mom Influencer Emilie Kiser Sues to Keep Her 3-Year-Old Son's Death Records Private Why Are Health Influencers Drinking Raw Milk and Honey Shots at the White House? How Kip Williams Remade 'Dorian Gray' for the TikTok Generation On May 19, Abernathy, 28, posted a clip of himself performing his then-unreleased song, 'Married in a Year,' in the middle of a crowd at Los Angeles' Moroccan Lounge. 'You'll be married in a year in the suburbs/with a kid on the way in three/convincing yourself you're living the American dream,' Abernathy sings to his rapt audience in the video, with cell phone flashlights illuminating his impassioned guitar strumming, vibrato vocals, and feet balancing on his tiptoes in time with the music. Abernathy has been working as a singer-songwriter for over six years, releasing two country-twinged, indie folk pop albums, Single and in Love and Long Way Home, in 2022 and 2023. He posted the video to his TikTok as part of his regular music promotion. When it reached 50,000 views, he was thrilled beyond his wildest dreams. But the more it got, the more he realized people weren't watching because they loved it. They were making fun of him . In the twelve days since Abernathy first posted the video, it's gotten over 20 million views, which doesn't even begin to account for how that one line of lyrics has become a viral earworm on the app. His song has been parodied by comedy heavy hitters on the app like Mitsy, critiqued by Anthony Fantano, think-pieced by commentator Widlin Pierrevil, and recreated by countless TikTokers in videos that range anywhere from delightfully creative to downright cruel. But what surprised even the most caustic of commenters was when, instead of hiding from the attention, Abernathy began posting right along with them, explaining lyrics, playing the recorded version, even picking out his favorite jokes in the comments. 'I definitely had a sinking feeling, but I also felt very validated,' Abernathy says. 'Having really never had anyone hate my art, it was weird. But also good art is gonna be divisive. This means I'm making art that is going to connect with the right people.' Rolling Stone caught up with Abernathy to talk about the lead up to his viral moment, his decision to go along with the joke, and his honest hopes about his music finding the right audience. It's been a hell of a week for you, hasn't it? It's been a whirlwind, obviously. Seven days ago, no one knew who I was. I've had a really small, passionate fan base for six years that I've just driven around and built it up. I mean, I played for two people in a yogurt shop a year ago in February. So the opportunity to reach more people is so exciting. And at the same time, when you've been that unknown, notoriety is crazy. It's so jarring. It's just not natural to be seen by that many people How are you processing? And where are you calling from? I'm calling from Georgia, which is where I'm from. I'm volunteering at a summer camp right now. I'm the camp musician. I've done it for three or four summers and it's the best thing ever. You lead pop songs, like Shawn Mendes, Taylor Swift — my favorite artist — just really hard and fast, and kids are just going like crazy. But they don't have their phones. So none of the high schoolers know that this is the biggest thing on the internet right now. They have no clue. Talk me through the event that produced this video. Was it a house party, a show, what's going on there? The event has so much drama. The conspiracy theories about it are so funny to me. I'm an adult. I have to pay rent as a full time artist, selling sweatshirts and playing 200 capacity rooms, where sometimes nine people show up and sometimes they sell out, you know? So I have to tour a lot. It was a concert at the Moroccan Lounge where 200 people bought tickets and had the time of their life. What was up with the circle? Why were people filming you in silence? I care about connecting with people more than anything. I'm sharing songs that are very vulnerable and very central to my life and my insecurities. So I want the room to feel fully united, fully present in the moment. The circle is the last moment of the concert. So it's out of context, because there's an hour and 20 minutes leading up to it of high energy. And then at the end, I say, 'Hey, I'd love to come out in the middle and play you the next song I'm releasing.' I've done that circle, like 100 times at 100 different shows and every time I play an unreleased song, or a song that just came out. So people are, like, listening. They don't know the words. And the socks?Yes, let us be clear, I have socks on. The dogs are not out. The socks are on. Well, people seem to really be focusing on the way you're standing on your toes in the video. Is there a reason you do that while performing? I guess passion? Love? I use a loop pedal, and I'm not ashamed of the fact that I don't wear shoes on stage because I have horrible coordination. Awful. I have to hit the pedals correctly or it sounds horrible, so I just wear socks so I can feel them. The funny thing is that as I usually put my shoes on to go in the middle of the circle. This time, I stepped over them, and I was like, 'Whatever.' I vividly remember thinking, 'I should put my shoes on. Enh, it doesn't matter.' After you realized people were making fun of you online, what made you decide to double down on posting?I think the main thing that was jarring was the notoriety overnight, not the less positive comments. When you've been making the same type of music for six years, when you've been performing it the same way, when you've seen it connect with people, nothing on a screen is going to deter me or convince me that it doesn't work. And part of the thing that I do to connect with people is I'm a little awkward and I make fun of myself. So the fact that other people are making fun of me is great. People parodying my songs, to me, is a huge compliment that the song is catchy enough and good enough that they want to recreate it. The lyrics have been up for a ton of debate since you posted. Can you walk me through the story behind the song? I have no game. At the time of writing the song, I had taken seven girls on dates, who the very next person they went out with, they married. When you're trying to fall in love and then it doesn't work out, it can be easy to tell yourself that it's because the other person wasn't ready for it. But in my case, the person clearly was ready for it and so the problem has to be me. And that's a devastating reality. The song is me grappling through my insecurity and comparing myself to other people in the lives they're living. The tag that's gone viral was the very first lyric I wrote for the whole album. I wrote it in February of 2023 and then wrote the album for a year and recorded it for six months — because I had to make enough money to record the album through touring and selling sweatshirts. We're constantly comparing ourselves to other people and to the standard our culture gives us, which is a fake standard, and that's the point of the song. That's the point of the whole album. Which is why I think it's so sick that this is the part that blew up, because the whole album is exploring how, no matter what we do, we feel like something's off. Who would you say some of your biggest musical influences are? Of course, Taylor Swift. I grew up listening to Jim Croce, James Taylor. Jimmy Buffett was my first two concerts. HAIM. More recently, Holly Humberstone, Griff. British women really run my life. Speaking of conspiracy theories — did you know some people online think you're faking your love of Swift so her fans will come to your aid? Are you serious? You're joking. I am not joking. The Swifties can be very powerful alliesI will somehow figure out how to charge my old Xenon freaking slide phone that has a video of me at the Fearless Tour with Keith Urban. I have a Taylor Swift Diet Coke can [that] one of my friends got me at the 1989 tour because I couldn't go because I was on a retreat. My old password was… I believe you, I believe you. What has it been like to have their support? I'm hoping they keep coming because I am, genuinely, so one of them. I mean, I cover 'Getaway Car' every single show. Going viral is one thing, but it doesn't guarantee this moment will have longevity. What's the ideal goal you want to come out of this? How are you feeling? I've worked for a moment like this for a long time. I've played over 600 shows. I've slept on over 1,000 couches. I've driven 200,000 miles alone in my car. I really dedicated myself to connecting with people, and so I'm really grateful that I'm getting to connect with more people through the internet. I am definitely scared, or fearful. There's just so much unknown that comes with it and that unknown is scary. But really bluntly, I'm also very optimistic and hopeful. I believe in 'Married in a Year' and I believe in the album that's coming out after it. And I am confident anyone that listens to it will at least have an opinion. Best of Rolling Stone Every Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ranked From Worst to Best The United States of Weed Gaming Levels Up
