The author is tired ... for now
Fan Cons and fantastic things
I attended the Island Fan Con with my Armchair Alien co-conspirator this weekend. It’s always lots of fun — I love see what everyone is wearing and getting a chance to peruse the wonderful art — but it was three days being an extrovert. That’s tiring for this introvert. However, I was smart and took the day after off from Day Job.
Which meant I got more editing done. However, in the quiet times, Jeannette and I conspired so I now have a slew of shiny new ideas that I have to shove in a box.
A curious thing
Back to the curious things. This time the thing comes via genealogy. While watching an interview with Flint Dibble and Milo Rossi (it’s very long), Flint Dibble mentioned something that made me go “whaaaa?!”
Most people of European ancestry today share common ancestors only about 1000 years ago.
Whaaaa?! I missed this when it was published, like, 10 years ago. Maybe it’s been known for even longer — but I didn’t know.
So, I — someone with largely English ancestry with a dash of Finnish and soupçon of Norwegian and French — would share with someone from Bulgaria a common ancestors who lived 1000ish years ago. I guess when you consider the movement of people, it’s not that crazy, but it surprised me.
But that’s not the bonkers part. Estimates put every human sharing a common set of ancestors to between 5300 and 2200 B.C.E. — what?! I’ve always thought of our family tree as being an infinitely expanding tree, but it’s really that gnarled, windswept stunted shrub beside the ocean. The branches go out — but they come back in too.
And my first thought was, “well this doesn’t include the Americas or other populations that were isolated from the main Eurasian-African landmass, right?” Nope, includes them too. Though that might have a lot to do with the decimation of indigenous people as a result of European diseases and weapons.
I might not be entirely understanding the details though, so I recommend reading the article yourself in case I misrepresented anything (and let me know if I did).
I also found this interactive map of early human migrations. I don’t know how up-to-date it is since new information keeps getting added to the story, but it’s fun.
Books for your TBR shelf
I haven’t read too much the past few weeks — they’ve been filled with long days and early nights and too many migraines. However, I did finish working my way through What’s Her Name: A History of the World in 80 Lost Women. I listen to the podcast so this was a treat. If you like stories of interesting women who lived interesting lives, whether they wanted to or not, check it out.
Now the library has delivered The Jasmine Throne to me e-reader so that’s what’s next.
However, I also picked up Cassandra - Sorcière Malgré Moi! from my local bookstore as part of my French re-learning plan.
Happy reading!
— CR
Where to find my books
If you’d like to read any of my scifi or urban fantasy books, you can find them at your favourite online retailers. Or you can buy them direct from me on the Armchair Alien store.
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