NationStates Jolt Archive

Kaze Progressa and myself have cracked the AI mystery. Just how DO Simon, Paula, and Randy choose the semifinalists before the American public gets their say? It's really a very simple formula.

Judging by this season's crop, contestants are chosen based on three factors--vocal talent, intelligence, and physical fitness. Three statistics represent these: range, IQ, and Body Mass Index. We postulated that one must have an above average range, and below average IQ and BMI to have a better chance at becoming a semifinalist. To model this, we created a formula in which the probability of getting through to the semifinals equals range times one thousand, divided by IQ times BMI squared.

Range=r
IQ=d (for dumbass)
BMI=f (for fatass)
Probability of getting picked=P

Therefore,
P=1000r/d(fxf)

In example A, we take an average individual. A has a 1.5 octave range, a 100 IQ, and a BMI of 25.

P=1000(1.5)/100(25x25)
P=0.024

This is a 2% probability of making it to the semifinals, which is a pretty generous estimate.

Now, we take the average American Idol finalist for this season. B has a 3 octave range, a 70 IQ, and a BMI of 15.

P=1000(3)/70(15x15)
P=0.190476

This is a 19% probability of making it to the semifinals, more than 9 times as high as the probability of an average person. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!

We still need to tweak this formula so that anything above a certain note counts double. Otherwise, we'd get altos winning, and that's not fair!

This is true... *ponders*

A rudimentary formula, but you fail to take into account the ratio of instances of the word "like" to words that are not "like"--or, as it's known in the scientific world, the Aguilera Equivalent. The AE can indeed be calculated using the IQ as a start; however, several more factors must be considered, most notably the Aguileritude, Nellytude, and emotude of one's particular musical tastes. Remember: it's not just a matter of being dumb. It's a matter of being banal.

*resumes lurrkeing*

A good point there. Although I'd say the AE is mostly based on IQ, and partly also perhaps on the songwriters.

Range and BMI are the most important factors though. Fortunately, some parts of the NS musical world, the SLAGLands included, ignore this formula entirely.

*snicker*
IQ of 70?


Don't you think that's generous?

Not really. Though probably generous for the voters... I've heard accusations of racism among them and/or the broadcasting company, with all the coloured finalists struggling, but I'm only hearing a little bit of this being in the UK.

mine works out to be about 3.6%
I don't know if that's good or bad...
I just guessed on my range though..I can probably do 2 octaves...yeah...I definitely think I can do two octaves...but anymore would be a stretch, or a screetch

Bosh, this is mere idol speculation.

Not really. Though probably generous for the voters... I've heard accusations of racism among them and/or the broadcasting company, with all the coloured finalists struggling, but I'm only hearing a little bit of this being in the UK.

yeah, I was kidding...I actually believe 70 is too low for most of the people who make it onto American Idol...I'd average them around 85-90

Though I'd agree with your assessment of the viewers/voters

I live in the States, but I'm pretty good at avoiding American Idol et al...because I'm in college and I only ever watch Cartoon Network or movies
however, the other night I was up late doing homework, and I saw this show that was supposed to be a "Good Morning" type show (though it was on at 5 AM EST) and the only thing they talked about, for the entire show, was American Idol, and how the "three divas" as they kept saying were voted in the bottom three and how it was so disastrous (not that they vote or anything)
It made me want to vomit...so I've gone back to avoiding TV

Bosh, this is mere idol speculation.
Didn't realize my father made a NationState :wink:

LOL Sliders :D

I'm about 7%, but that's largely down to having a BMI of 17 :p