mirkwood Posted September 10, 2011 Report Posted September 10, 2011 I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four. You could write them on your thumbnail, or you could sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too that they are more than words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly; speak them proudly; speak them gratefully. I AM AN AMERICAN. Quote
Jamie123 Posted September 15, 2011 Report Posted September 15, 2011 (edited) It's easy to poke fun of the Americans (too easy for me as I'm married to one!) but it's a pity us British don't have a bit more national pride. Shout "I am a Briton" and flaunt the Union Jack*, and everyone will think you're a fascist! *OK Mr Pedant....Union Flag. Edited September 15, 2011 by Jamie123 Quote
NeuroTypical Posted September 15, 2011 Report Posted September 15, 2011 Around 200 years ago, a guy named John decided to leave England and throw in his lot with the new world. My half-sister tells me I'm one of his 2227 descendants (and counting). He made a good choice. Quote
Jamie123 Posted September 16, 2011 Report Posted September 16, 2011 (edited) Around 200 years ago, a guy named John decided to leave England and throw in his lot with the new world. My half-sister tells me I'm one of his 2227 descendants (and counting).He made a good choice.Around 1500 years ago, a guy named Cenwulf decided to leave Jutland and throw in his lot with a bunch of marauding Anglo-Saxons, and invade a small island which had until recently been defended by Rome. Your ancestor John was one (and probably several!) of his 5.75E21 descendents*.Good choice?Seriously though, check out this video: . This guy reckons everyone alive today has a common ancestor who lived as recently as the time of Cleopatra (though I have doubts about this myself). * log x=log 2227 x (1500-200)/200=21.76 so x=10^21.76=5.75E21. Please feel free to check my math. Edited September 16, 2011 by Jamie123 Quote
mirkwood Posted September 16, 2011 Author Report Posted September 16, 2011 I'm related to some guy named Adam that lived a long long long time ago. My family line traces back to/through King Richard I. Quote
Vort Posted September 17, 2011 Report Posted September 17, 2011 Around 1500 years ago, a guy named Cenwulf decided to leave Jutland and throw in his lot with a bunch of marauding Anglo-Saxons, and invade a small island which had until recently been defended by Rome. Your ancestor John was one (and probably several!) of his 5.75E21 descendents*.Good choice?Seriously though, check out this video: . This guy reckons everyone alive today has a common ancestor who lived as recently as the time of Cleopatra (though I have doubts about this myself). * log x=log 2227 x (1500-200)/200=21.76 so x=10^21.76=5.75E21. Please feel free to check my math.Not sure about the math, but it is estimated that there have been about 100 billion (or 10^11) humans in total that have ever lived on the planet. If this is wrong by a factor of ten, that still gives only 1E12, which is about six billion times less than your estimate for the descendants of some guy 1500 years ago... Quote
Jamie123 Posted September 17, 2011 Report Posted September 17, 2011 Not sure about the math, but it is estimated that there have been about 100 billion (or 10^11) humans in total that have ever lived on the planet. If this is wrong by a factor of ten, that still gives only 1E12, which is about six billion times less than your estimate for the descendants of some guy 1500 years ago...LOL - I wasn't being serious. I was extrapolating the exponential growth of 1 to 2227 over 200 years, which is not a good model for population growth of bisexual species (as it would be for bacteria with an unlimited food supply). The larger the population becomes, the greater the chance of inter-breeding between individuals with common ancestors (so your great great great grandfather on your mother's side might also be your great great great great grandfather on your father's side.) The entire world population is only about 1E10. Quote
Jamie123 Posted September 17, 2011 Report Posted September 17, 2011 I'm related to some guy named Adam that lived a long long long time ago. My family line traces back to/through King Richard I.Did Richard I have any children? I rather thought he was gay. (Not that that means anything.) Quote
Vort Posted September 17, 2011 Report Posted September 17, 2011 LOL - I wasn't being serious. I was extrapolating the exponential growth of 1 to 2227 over 200 years, which is not a good model for population growth of bisexual species (as it would be for bacteria with an unlimited food supply). The larger the population becomes, the greater the chance of inter-breeding between individuals with common ancestors (so your great great great grandfather on your mother's side might also be your great great great great grandfather on your father's side.) The entire world population is only about 1E10.Ah. Please forgive me; my TICmeter is in the shop for maintenance. Quote
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