I Have Something to Say

I understand that the minimum number of people needed to repopulate after a worldwide catastrophe is around 160. If that is the case, how is the human race still here?

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helenS · 36-40, F

“ A 2005 study from Rutgers University theorized that the pre-1492 native populations of the Americas are the descendants of only 70 individuals who crossed the land bridge between Asia and North America.“

From the wikipedia article “Population Bottleneck”.

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@helenS Good response. Yes, bottlenecks do happen and gene pools can actually be strengthened in response, provided the surviving population is of good genetics. Of course, post 1492, there would have been some sharing of external genetics from immigrant populations into the Americas.

helenS · 36-40, F

@Bushranger
"sharing of external genetics from immigrant populations

— Sharing is caring!
😁

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@helenS Ah, if only it was all caring. Unfortunately, the sharing of was often definitely not caring.

helenS · 36-40, F

@Bushranger I think I know what you mean. Sadly, that's true.

My reply was just a light-hearted comment.

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@helenS Yeah, just me being a Debbie Downer lol.

helenS · 36-40, F

@Bushranger I had to look this up, on the Urban Dictionary:

"Debbie Downer: a person who says something terribly depressing (a downer), typically only tangentially related to the present circumstance or topic of conversation, and thereby destroys the positive atmosphere."

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@helenS Yep, but don't worry, it was only a temporary malfunction ☺