We know RJ was sometimes rather vague with many of his quotes. Aes Sedai-like even, at times.

The fact is, the Bell Curve does not fit the list in the notes. Not if you go all the way up to include the levels above the Aes Sedai.

What would be consistent with RJ's quote on the Bell Curve, is if we applied some logic to what he said.

The Bell Curve he first referred to, applied to the 3% channeling population of the Age of Legends. The 1% that remain today, are not only fewer in number, but this remnant comes from the weakest third of that AOL 3%.

In other words, the 2% that went extinct, were on average the strongest 2%, leaving the bottom 1% as today's channeling population.

The fact is, if we acknowledge that the "+" level channelers follow a different scale than the scale that applies from Elaida downwards,(which we do), then we also have to accept that the Normal distribution that applies to the Aes Sedai channelers cannot also apply to the "+" level channelers.

It is a logical impossibility.

Do the exercise yourself. Apply the 54 level linear scale to all the known channelers from Elaida downwards. Use every quote in the books that applies to these channelers, and see how this model accommodates pretty much every one of them.

It fits almost perfectly. The only adjustment that is likely needed, is to see just how many levels there are below 54. Terez wasn't clear, but suggested maybe a couple more levels. So we may need to make each level 1/56th of Elaida's strength in the end.

But that is a minor change, which would have a miniscule effect on the strength of individual sisters. The fact is, this model fits the quotes in the books.

And can be made to fit the Bell Curve too.

It is impossible for the average woman in the books to be half as strong as Lanfear. Because then we should see as many women above that average strength as there are below the average strength.

And we simply don't. Not in any sample of modern channelers. Whether they be Windfinders, Wise Ones, Kin or Aes Sedai.

But an average strength level that is 25% stronger than Daigian, fits perfectly.

Daigian at 40% of Elaida strength
The average woman at 50% of Elaida strength
The average Aes Sedai at 66% Elaida strength

That simply fits.