Random famous people are related to each other
- Thread starter Verd1234
- Start date
Bal-Sagoth
Water Chip? Been There, Done That
If you think about it, we are all related.
iridium_ionizer
Mildly Dipped
Everyone is related to everyone if you go back far enough. So not that shocking.
If you go back n generations then you have 2^n ancestors (assuming zero cross-genealogical breeding). So if you go back 2^11 generations, you will have 2,048 ancestors. And the other person has 2,048 ancestors in that generation. Plus there only needs to be one overlap for you to be "related". Factor into that also the relatively smaller populations compared to today. On top of which they probably went through a ton of other peoples' genealogy to find someone notable that was related to Obama.
Also the fact that due to wealth, genes, and educational chances someone who is a prominent member of society is much more likely to have offspring who are also prominent members of society.
So coincidence, yes. Astoundingly improbable coincidence, no.
If you go back n generations then you have 2^n ancestors (assuming zero cross-genealogical breeding). So if you go back 2^11 generations, you will have 2,048 ancestors. And the other person has 2,048 ancestors in that generation. Plus there only needs to be one overlap for you to be "related". Factor into that also the relatively smaller populations compared to today. On top of which they probably went through a ton of other peoples' genealogy to find someone notable that was related to Obama.
Also the fact that due to wealth, genes, and educational chances someone who is a prominent member of society is much more likely to have offspring who are also prominent members of society.
So coincidence, yes. Astoundingly improbable coincidence, no.
Slightly related: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Degrees_of_Kevin_Bacon
SuAside said:
I was thinking the same thing. Really, I bet that you would find that everyone is related if you trace it back enough.
If you trace it back enough, everyone are related to fish.
We are all prokaryotes!
Yeah, so when you wash your hands with soap that kills bacteria... you just killed your great-aunt, you BASTARD.
Faceless Stranger
Board Drifter
I'm related to all of you!!
