Does anyone seriously think that Tyson,Neville, and Barbra provide "irrefutable" evidence that there's NO (positive) correlation between body size and certain characteristics of a person's voice (pitch/power)?
It is certainly anecdotal evidence against a positive correlation, while ...say... the long, historical parade of "plus sized" professional sopranos is anecdotal evidence of a positive correlation (as to power, at least).
I can't say with any certainty, but I'd suspect from my own anecdotal experience that a statistical analysis would bear out John's point. (That there is a positive correlation.) I'd also guess that John's reasoning is probably correct - chest volume, certain muscle mass, and vocal chord length (probably among a whole bunch of other things) are probably highly correlated with pitch and/or power. Those physical characteristics, themselves, are also likely to be highly (tho not perfectly) correlated with body size - accounting both for the correlation AND for the exceptions noted above.
That is just a guess. The real point is that no one has posted any "irrefutable" evidence to this thread one way or the other.
I can say with certainly that any positive correlation (if it exists) is not perfect. I can also say with certainty that Bill's assertion is not "irrefutable". It is an overstatement. (surprise.)
Marty
BTW, I also agree that, in all likelihood, none of this has anything to do with the OP's original point.
It is certainly anecdotal evidence against a positive correlation, while ...say... the long, historical parade of "plus sized" professional sopranos is anecdotal evidence of a positive correlation (as to power, at least).
I can't say with any certainty, but I'd suspect from my own anecdotal experience that a statistical analysis would bear out John's point. (That there is a positive correlation.) I'd also guess that John's reasoning is probably correct - chest volume, certain muscle mass, and vocal chord length (probably among a whole bunch of other things) are probably highly correlated with pitch and/or power. Those physical characteristics, themselves, are also likely to be highly (tho not perfectly) correlated with body size - accounting both for the correlation AND for the exceptions noted above.
That is just a guess. The real point is that no one has posted any "irrefutable" evidence to this thread one way or the other.
I can say with certainly that any positive correlation (if it exists) is not perfect. I can also say with certainty that Bill's assertion is not "irrefutable". It is an overstatement. (surprise.)
Marty
BTW, I also agree that, in all likelihood, none of this has anything to do with the OP's original point.