I googled the amount of people that lived on earth throughout its entire history, it’s roughly 108 billions. If I take 1 person and multiply by 2 for each generation of ancestors, at the 37th generation it already outnumbers that 108 billions. (it’s 137 billions). If we take 20 years for 1 generation, it’s only 740 years by the 37th generation.
How??
(I suck at math, I recounted it like 20 times, got that 137 billions at 37th, 38th and 39th generation, so forgive me if it’s not actually at 37th, but it’s still no more than 800 years back in history)
In: 1391
the gene pool is not as deep as you think it is. it was common for cousins, second cousins etc to mate. people didn’t even travel much a long time ago. the gene pools of small villages are shallow. the family trees branch then come back together again. imagine 2000 years ago if you and your family had only ever met 1000 people. you would choose your mate from that 1000 and your kids would choose from the 1000 and their kids from 1000… we are all a lot more related than we like to think. if you’re up to the 108 billion, you’re also making assumptions that everyone in the world could choose anyone from anywhere in the world as a mate. you don’t have to go back too far to find people who’s entire existence was a 100km radius of their birthplace.
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