Both Eva and Anne-Marie have started a series of posts about the Science of Harry Potter, focusing on the genetics (i.e., patterns of inheritance) of wizardry vs. muggleness. Anne-Marie has already moved on to the second part of her series, on dragons. It will be interesting to watch what these two come up with over the next few posts in their series.
I have to say that I have been too busy and have yet to see the new movie (The Order of the Phoenix), but will try to see it soon. Also, my two copies of the book #7 will arrive in Chapel Hill on the 21st and I am wondering if I should buy a third one here so I could read it while in San Francisco (who can wait?!) and then give it to someone before leaving.
Comments
The single allele genetics of Godhood was expertly portrayed in a novel by John Barth, I think it was.
Godhood is dominant. God "G" and human "h" mating gives hybrid, Gh, with godlike power (demigod).
Demigod hybrid, Gh, mated with human gives 50% humans and 50% demigods.
Demigod hybrid, Gh, mated with God gives 50% Gods and 50% demigods.
Demigod hybrid, Gh, mated with Demigod hybrid, Gh, intriguingly gives 25% humans and 50% demigods and 25% Gods.
Have I got that right? Anyone know the citation?
And how does this relate to Muggle/Wizard/Squib?
Posted by: Jonathan Vos Post | July 15, 2007 12:00 PM
Was that Barth's "Chimaera"?
Posted by: coturnix | July 15, 2007 2:38 PM
I just started reading Adrienne Mayor's The First Fossil Hunters today, in which she outline some of the origins for greek (and subsequently Roman) mythology due to early fossil finds. Definitely pick it up if you're interested in what a Protoceratops has to do with griffon mythology, or mammoths with cyclops.
Posted by: Laelaps | July 15, 2007 4:27 PM
Thank you. For now, I'll put it on my amazon wishlist to wait there until I can afford it.
Posted by: coturnix | July 15, 2007 5:04 PM
Oooooh! Anne-Marie put the third part up, on conservation! It is excellent.
Posted by: coturnix | July 16, 2007 2:50 PM