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Twin strangers -

The existence of someone who could almost perfectly match another person’s appearance (a so-called "twin stranger") has fascinated people for centuries. There is always a considerable possibility that someone who looks remarkably like us exists somewhere in the world.

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Folklore and fascination -

Doppelgängers have haunted the human imagination for hundreds of years, woven into folklore and myth. Historically, encountering one’s double was considered a mysterious and ominous experience. But in today’s world, the concept leans more toward science and coincidence than the supernatural.

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The classic idea -

Traditionally, a doppelgänger is a near-perfect double of a living person, often linked to dark omens or supernatural occurrences. They have been depicted as everything from spirits and apparitions to simply individuals who use their resemblance for either good or evil purposes.

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Changing meanings -

While seeing a doppelgänger used to be taken seriously as a bad omen or a sign of impending tragedy, modern interpretations are more scientific. People are less superstitious now, but the idea still carries remnants of its original meaning.

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Roots -

The word doppelgänger is of German origin, translating to "double goer." It first appeared in Jean Paul’s 1790s novel ‘Siebenkäs,’ and it was used to describe people who encountered their own lookalikes. The term has evolved to become central in worldwide discussions about doubles and identity.

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European mythology -

Even before the 1700s, Europe’s folklore was rich with tales of doppelgängers. The German myths warned of spirit doubles, while English and Irish stories described lookalike apparitions called fetches, which heralded coming misfortune. Other cultures, like the Norwegians and Finns, shared similar stories.

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Seeing double -

In historical superstitions, seeing a doppelgänger was not a pleasant experience. A German or Celtic doppelgänger could spell doom, as it predicted sickness or death. If a person spotted a fetch in the darkness, folklore says that their remaining life was as brief as a candle’s flame.

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Science’s take -

Modern science doesn’t support the supernatural aspects of doppelgängers, yet it acknowledges the growing interest in the phenomenon. There has been a lot of research that has delved into psychology and genetics in the hopes of seeking answers to why some people believe they’ve encountered their double.

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Psychological phenomena -

In psychology, there are some delusional misidentification syndromes (such as the delusion of doubles) that can make people think they’ve seen their doppelgänger. These conditions are often linked to schizophrenia or other disorders, and might involve seeing one’s body from an outside perspective.

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Double identity -

People with these syndromes sometimes believe their double shares not only their looks but also their very identity. This belief can blur the line between recognizing a resemblance and feeling as though another person embodies their existence, which complicates their sense of reality.

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Danger -

Psychological doppelgängers that result from delusions can indicate severe health issues and require medical attention. Disorders associated with such delusions may prompt odd or even hazardous behavior.

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The genetic lottery -

Genetics can also explain doppelgänger sightings. Unrelated individuals may share strikingly similar features purely due to genetic chance. While a person’s genetic code is unique, it may align just enough with a stranger’s DNA to produce a face that looks similar.

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Research -

In a recent study, researchers examined 32 pairs of lookalikes and found that those with more striking facial similarities had more overlapping genetic markers than those who looked less alike. Their conclusion? Genetics plays a role in our resemblance to others, sometimes purely by chance.

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Shared genotypes -

A 2022 study found that lookalikes have similar genotypes, which is the genetic makeup that every living thing has. Even though the chances are slim, these matches are powerful enough to make strangers appear as though they could be long-lost twins.

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Your unique face -

While we marvel at doppelgängers, our sense of identity often depends on the belief that our face is one-of-a-kind. Seeing a genetic double could challenge that belief, yet these doubles are no more dangerous than any average individual you’d meet on the street.

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Rare probability -

How likely is it to have a doppelgänger? Research has struggled to give definitive answers. One study suggested that the odds of sharing even a few identical facial measurements with someone else are astronomically low.

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Individuality -

Scientists estimate that an average person can recall about 5,000 different faces, using subtle cues and feature arrangements to distinguish people. Though this complexity often keeps us unique, it doesn’t rule out the possibility of running into someone whose features align closely with our own.

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Perception versus precision -

While scientists require exact facial matches to call someone a doppelgänger, our perception isn’t as demanding. We are easily tricked by minor similarities, meaning that our brains might see a double even when science would find enough differences to disqualify the match.

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Finding a twin -

Despite low probabilities, some people are driven enough by curiosity to set out in search for their double. Thankfully, the internet offers tools for this quest. Various apps and websites allow users to upload photos and scan massive databases for potential matches.

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Hunting for doubles -

Apps aren’t the only method to find a doppelgänger. If someone is old-fashioned, they could simply sit on a park bench and watch the crowd, hoping to spot a face like theirs. Though less reliable, it adds an element of serendipity to the pursuit.

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Databases -

Using digital platforms is the most systematic approach to locating a doppelgänger. These services search through millions of images, finding your twin stranger with algorithmic efficiency, although not every user is successful.

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Social media search -

Platforms like Reddit also make it easy to search for lookalikes, as there are a few communities that are driven with this objective. However, experts warn that people should not expect too much. A doppelgänger might look like someone, but the resemblance stops at appearance.

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A complex puzzle -

While DNA influences looks, it fails to cover personality or charisma, and so lookalikes are not similar in these ways. The concept of doppelgängers touches on the notion of nature versus nurture, where the environment in which people live has an effect on their personality.

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Physical traits -

Beyond faces, twin strangers might share physical characteristics like gait. The genes that determine a person’s bone structure and length can also influence their movement. So, lookalikes may walk or gesture similarly, but that doesn’t mean they share deeper similarities.

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Cultural impact -

The concept of the doppelgänger continues to influence popular culture. Some cities have even been known to host lookalike competitions. In October 2024, New York City held a Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest, which garnered nearly 2,000 attendees.

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Philosophical reflections -

Beyond science and folklore, doppelgängers pose philosophical questions. If someone looks just like us, how much of our identity is tied to appearance? Could we mistake someone else’s life for our own? These thought experiments enrich our understanding of self and society.

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Shared genes, shared traits -

Even without an exact double, we share traits with people worldwide. Our faces are shaped by ancestry and genetics, connecting us to distant relatives and emphasizing our shared humanity. Our features may be unique, but they’re also echoes of our genetic past.

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Personalized medicine -

Future breakthroughs in science could use genetic research on lookalikes to create personalized medicine. Doctors might tailor treatments to a patient’s genetic makeup or spot disease markers through facial recognition, which would be a game-changing possibility in healthcare.

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Genetic knowledge -

Scientists remain fascinated by the possibilities uncovered through lookalike research. Each discovery brings new questions, pushing boundaries in genetics, identity, and the vast spectrum of what makes each human truly unique, even when they share a face.

Sources: (Discover Magazine) (National Geographic) (The New York Times) (Britannica)

See also: What you need to know about at-home DNA tests

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