Comments on: Allen Christenson Fireside

By: Moods Of Nature: Fireside Reflections : Spank me today!

Moods Of Nature: Fireside Reflections : Spank me today! — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:06:03 +0000

[...] The Millennial Star » Allen Christenson Fireside [...]

By: Keller

Keller — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:27:11 +0000

Christenson’s genealogy problem has gotten me thinking. Using population models, one can estimate the number of generations back that guarantees that all living members of a population are descended from every member of that past generation. In other words, after a sufficient time lapse, it can be mathematically approved that if an individual has any living descendants, then all living are descendants.

One formula to calculate that generation is ~1.8*log2(n) where n is the living population. For 10 million Mayan I calculate that only 42 generations are required so taking 30 years per generation, a Mayan living 1260 years ago or before 750 AD should be an ancestor.

That model assumes zero population growth, random marriages, and no geographic isolation. I am trying to study if other models produce a much different result.

By: Ben Pratt

Ben Pratt — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:12:23 +0000

Great report, Keller! Thank you.

By: Brian Duffin

Brian Duffin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:53:36 +0000

Wow! Great write-up. Thanks for sharing your notes.

By: Keller

Keller — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:42:18 +0000

Yes, it was a nice touch. Looking online, Christenson’s Popol Vuh translation is available through google books http://books.google.com/books?id=hJx47n_sm-YC . There is some more good stuff on this on page 197 and 201.

By: Geoff B

Geoff B — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:16:41 +0000

Keller, this is cool!

I especially like: “Initially man could see as far as gods, so the gods caused a fog or mist (like a foggy mirror) to limit man’s sight. Occasionally this fog is lifted and then prophecy can occur.”

I have spent a lot of time in Guatemala. I would have loved to have been at this fireside.