Obsession with Anthropometric Measurements such as Cephalic Index Example (see illustrations below)

This is in no way any attempt to say that Mr. Rumsfeld is an ape. It is an attempt to illustrate the folly of obsession with anthropometric measurements such as cephalic index.

I do not know what Donald Rumsfeld's cephalic index is; such is calculated by dividing the width of the skull from ear to ear by the length of the skull from back to front as seen from above, and then multiplying the result by 100. But if I assume that his cephalic index is, exactly in the middle, or 75 numerically, then the photo in the middle represents Rumsfeld with a cephalic index of 75. Assuming such to be the case, the Rumsfeld on the left, has a cephalic index of 65, which would be called dolicocephalic, due to a slight narrowing of the face that I have accomplished using the Microsoft Paint Program; and the Rumsfeld on the right would be brachycephalic, with a cephalic index of 85.

Likewise assuming the ape in the middle to have a cephalic index of 75, the ape on the left would be a dolichocephalic with cephalic index of 65 and the ape on the right would be a brachycephalic with a cephalic index of 85.

Obviously the dolicocephalic Rumsfeld has more in common with the brachycephalic Rumsfeld than any of the apes have in common with any of the Rumsfelds. The difference between the dolichocephalic ape and the brachycephalic ape, is clearly much less than the difference between any of the apes and any of the Rumsfelds.

People think the cephalic index measures the width of the face divided by the height of the face. Wrong. It measures the width of the skull from ear to ear divided by the depth of the skull at maximum depth from rear of skull at back of head to front of skull in the direction of the nose. Therefore two faces that look exactly the same in terms of relation of height of face to width of face could have widely varying cephalic indexes.

Nevertheless having a wide face (right now to the best of my knowledge__I am far from expert in cephalic measurement--my cephalic index is approx 82) I cannot resist pointing out the natural majesty of brachycephaly.

Rumsfeld Cephalic Index 65 "Dolichocephalic"

Rumsfeld Cephalic Index 75 "Mesocephalic"

Rumsfeld Cephalic Index 85 "brachycephalic"

Ape Cephalic Index 65 "Dolichocephalic"

Ape Cephalic Index 75 "Mesocephalic"

Ape Cephalic Index 85 "brachycephalic"