Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

[Barrister]

Couldn't it be possible though for those of European ancestry to tolerate cold better than those of African ancestry.  Or conversely, those of African ancestry tolerating heat better than those of European ancestry?  Has any serious study been done on that?

There is some very minor benefits to having pale skin in cold temperature (decreases your chance at skin freezing), and some very minor benefits to having dark skin in hot weather (dissipates heat faster), but something like 99% of it is cultural.

My brothers in-laws from the tropical parts of Brazil are all very white, and all have complained bitterly about the cold when in Canada.

[Syt]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary_1988 (February 13 - February 28 1988)

The weather was a dominant story throughout much of the Games, as strong chinook winds that brought daily temperatures as high as 17 °C (63 °F) wreaked havoc on the schedules for outdoor events. Events were delayed when winds were deemed unsafe for competitors and organizers used artificial snow making equipment to ensure skiing venues were properly prepared.[52] It was the first time in Olympic history that alpine events were held on artificial snow.

[crazy canuck]

Couldn't it be possible though for those of European ancestry to tolerate cold better than those of African ancestry.  Or conversely, those of African ancestry tolerating heat better than those of European ancestry?  Has any serious study been done on that?

I am pretty sure that anyone who is used to living in a warm climate will find a cold climate to be cold no matter what their skin colour.  The only thing that skin colour impacts is the amount of sunlight required for the body to create vitamin D.  So for example, people with darker skin living in the North are advised to take vitamin D supplements during Winter months.

[derspiess]

I'm not discounting acclimation.  I'm sure that's most of it.  But over the eons during which Africans lived in Africa and Europeans lived in Europe, I'd have to think there was some sort of genetic adaptation to the respective environments.  I've never heard of any studies that prove or disprove it, though-- hence my question.

[crazy canuck]

I'm not discounting acclimation.  I'm sure that's most of it.  But over the eons during which Africans lived in Africa and Europeans lived in Europe, I'd have to think there was some sort of genetic adaptation to the respective environments.  I've never heard of any studies that prove or disprove it, though-- hence my question.

You understand that summers are hot in the north right?

[derspiess]

Couldn't it be possible though for those of European ancestry to tolerate cold better than those of African ancestry.  Or conversely, those of African ancestry tolerating heat better than those of European ancestry?  Has any serious study been done on that?

Ancestries are a social construct.

Oh, you're serious?

[derspiess]

I'm not discounting acclimation.  I'm sure that's most of it.  But over the eons during which Africans lived in Africa and Europeans lived in Europe, I'd have to think there was some sort of genetic adaptation to the respective environments.  I've never heard of any studies that prove or disprove it, though-- hence my question.

You understand that summers are hot in the north right?

Warm.  Sometimes hot.  Point?

[crazy canuck]

I'm not discounting acclimation.  I'm sure that's most of it.  But over the eons during which Africans lived in Africa and Europeans lived in Europe, I'd have to think there was some sort of genetic adaptation to the respective environments.  I've never heard of any studies that prove or disprove it, though-- hence my question.

You understand that summers are hot in the north right?

Warm.  Sometimes hot.  Point?

Why, other than some racist tendancy, would you consider that an Italian or Spaniard who has to live through very hot temperatures in the Summer has some kind of genetic ability to withstand cold better than others based only on the fact that they are "European"?

[Valmy]

Oh, you're serious?

Genetics are a theory.

[garbon]

I'm not discounting acclimation.  I'm sure that's most of it.  But over the eons during which Africans lived in Africa and Europeans lived in Europe, I'd have to think there was some sort of genetic adaptation to the respective environments.  I've never heard of any studies that prove or disprove it, though-- hence my question.

How would you measure that?

[derspiess]

Never mind.  Someone threw out the word "racist" so it's pointless to continue discussing.

[Valmy]

How would you measure that?

I guess you could measure physiological effects for people with different ancestries to different temperatures but it would be tough to control for everything.

[garbon]

Never mind.  Someone threw out the word "racist" so it's pointless to continue discussing.

CC throws lots of shit.

[Barrister]

I'm not discounting acclimation.  I'm sure that's most of it.  But over the eons during which Africans lived in Africa and Europeans lived in Europe, I'd have to think there was some sort of genetic adaptation to the respective environments.  I've never heard of any studies that prove or disprove it, though-- hence my question.

I'm pretty sure I've read that light coloured skin has slightly better rates of not getting frostbite, and dark skin has slightly better rates of not getting skin cancer (or something similar).

You're right, there must be some evolutionary reason why white and dark skin tones both evolved.

But when it comes down to perceptions of feeling hot or cold, it's all about what you're used to, and skin colour has very little to do with it.

[Admiral Yi]

Body hair should have something to do with it.