[rjsw]

> Is the author really suggesting that the human population was down to 50 individuals 50,000 years ago?

The theory [1] has been around for a while.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toba_catastrophe_theory

[SamBam]

10,000 humans across the globe following a large volcanic event is quite different from a huddling tribe of 50 humans following Neanderthal predation.

[realsimplesynd]

I've heard it used as an explanation for our species level sense of camaraderie and cooperation. A near extinction event may have been one of the best things to ever happen to us. (I don't entirely agree, but it's an interesting thought)