While I was discussing the arbitrariness of defining human races on a forum, one individual contradicted me by presenting a means to objectively quantify human races. He explained that the number of human races is objectively quantified by using "Bayesian K-means clustering and determining the correct K by inferring the second order rate of change in the log probability of data between successive K values. The correct K seems to be 7 which also matches the phylogeographic criteria for race perfectly. Europeans, surprisingly, form a distinct race."
I don't know if this helps or distracts, but here's some sort of diagram illustrating that K=7: http: // img399.imageshack.us/img399/9622/scimagtd6.jpg
Unfortunately I lack qualifications in the field of mathemathics to verify these claims, so I need opinions of others on this.
I don't know if this helps or distracts, but here's some sort of diagram illustrating that K=7: http: // img399.imageshack.us/img399/9622/scimagtd6.jpg
Unfortunately I lack qualifications in the field of mathemathics to verify these claims, so I need opinions of others on this.