Joining the Masons for intellectual discourse sounds a few centuries out of date. During the Enlightenment, Masonic lodges were rife with radical debate about science, philosophy, human rights and more perfect forms of government, though these days they’re mostly for elderly conservative small businessmen in provincial towns. (You even have to swear to believe in a supreme being to be a Mason, though someone apparently fudge this by defining a supreme being in a circular fashion.)
Hahaha it can definitely feel that way sometimes. There were a few younger guys at my lodge but we never really clicked. On the plus side, politics are never talked about in the lodge so I never felt like I was around a bunch of conservatives or anything like that. It was a great experience and everyone was open-minded and friendly.
I ended up working on a project for the lodge for a few years with a small group that was guys in their 40s to 80s, and it felt great to get several father figures. They gave me some great guidance in my young adulthood.
I've heard that the Shriners attract a younger crowd and they apparently have some crazy parties, but I never got that far. You need to be a Mason to become a Shriner.