4 ms·

I suppose I’ll get downvoted, but I remember visiting the Outer Banks for the first time in the mid 70’s (also taking the ferry to Okrakoke). Interestingly (sc

I suppose I’ll get downvoted, but I remember visiting the Outer Banks for the first time in the mid 70’s (also taking the ferry to Okrakoke). Interestingly (scientifically) there was a noticeable number of congenital defects in the population (southern Outer Banks). I suppose one of the downsides of having an isolated population.

mc32 7y ago
Any endogamous population runs a risk. Isolated populations can be endogamous but not necessarily as some will have traditions which facilitate exogamy.
- Wildgoose 7y ago
  Presumably such as the Viking "Up Helly Aa" festival around Shetland - plenty of opportunity for drunken get-togethers and a little "genetic mixing". It's worth a visit, although the North Sea is exceptionally rough at that time of year, (last Tuesday in January). https://www.uphellyaa.org https://www.uphellyaa.org
- wkearney99 7y ago
  Well, two new 'words of the day'. Thanks!
LyndsySimon 7y ago
Interesting - what sorts of congenital defects? I've been around a handful of isolated communities like that, and have definitely been to places where the people looked both very much alike and very "atypical" compared to the population at large, but I'm not sure I would describe what I've seen as "defects". Rather, my assumption is that in a smaller population like that is that some characteristics are exaggerated while others are suppressed. As an example from my own family, my grandfather had nearly white hair and ears that were somewhat larger than normal. He was called "Cotton" when he was in the military (WW2/Korea) and later in life when he worked as a mechanic. The area he grew up is about two hours from me, and is a town of about 100 people. It's striking how many of them have big ears and very light hair, especially the older generation. I wouldn't consider a high prevalence of light hair and big ears to be "defects", though. Is that the sort of thing you're talking about, or was it something more substantial?

mc32 7y ago

Any endogamous population runs a risk. Isolated populations can be endogamous but not necessarily as some will have traditions which facilitate exogamy.

Wildgoose 7y ago
Presumably such as the Viking "Up Helly Aa" festival around Shetland - plenty of opportunity for drunken get-togethers and a little "genetic mixing". It's worth a visit, although the North Sea is exceptionally rough at that time of year, (last Tuesday in January). https://www.uphellyaa.org https://www.uphellyaa.org
wkearney99 7y ago
Well, two new 'words of the day'. Thanks!

LyndsySimon 7y ago

Interesting - what sorts of congenital defects? I've been around a handful of isolated communities like that, and have definitely been to places where the people looked both very much alike and very "atypical" compared to the population at large, but I'm not sure I would describe what I've seen as "defects". Rather, my assumption is that in a smaller population like that is that some characteristics are exaggerated while others are suppressed. As an example from my own family, my grandfather had nearly white hair and ears that were somewhat larger than normal. He was called "Cotton" when he was in the military (WW2/Korea) and later in life when he worked as a mechanic. The area he grew up is about two hours from me, and is a town of about 100 people. It's striking how many of them have big ears and very light hair, especially the older generation. I wouldn't consider a high prevalence of light hair and big ears to be "defects", though. Is that the sort of thing you're talking about, or was it something more substantial?