A million thanks.

Dear friends,

I would be much grateful if anyone could help me with the following questions.
1)Thus, they claim, even a lowly E. coli bacterium can be a member of Mensa if you consider that it's in competition with other microbes.（What does "Mensa" mean here?)
2）In other words, a program that simply flipped a coin could do better than these miniminds.
(What does " simply flipped a coin " mean here?
3）Neural networks have the unique ability to perform several brain-like tasks, including sophisticated pattern recognition and learning. (Does "brain-like tasks" mean "complicated tasks that are generally finished by human beings"?

1. Mensa= a membership organization for geniuses

2. When trying to decide an issue, one can "simply flip a (2 sided) coin" for the purposes of determining a solution. If the coin lands on side A, then one predetermined action is taken. If the coin lands on side B, then the other action is taken.

3. yes

<<<<1)Thus, they claim, even a lowly E. coli bacterium can be a member of Mensa if you consider that it's in competition with other microbes.（What does "Mensa" mean here?) >>>>

OK, Mensa is an organisation that only admits people with an IQ above a certain level. So how can a 'lowly E.coli bacterium' be a member of Mensa. A bacterium does not have an IQ. However, a bacterium has survived in 'the survival of the fittest'. So there is a sense in which a bacterium is clever. (Conversely: {not a word that I usually use} you could argue that clever people do not always to well in the personal survival and prosperity stakes.)

Often, when someone asks: What does the word mean in this context? it is because the word is being used inappropriately, or in an unusual way.

_______________________________________________________

<<<<Does "brain-like tasks" mean "complicated tasks that are generally finished by human beings"? >>>>>

Yes