New app helps Icelanders avoid accidental incest

Associated Press ^ | Apr 18, 11:55 AM EDT | JENNA GOTTLIEB and JILL LAWLESS

[haffast]

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) -- You meet someone, there's chemistry, and then come the introductory questions: What's your name? Come here often? Are you my cousin?

In Iceland, a country with a population of 320,000 where most everyone is distantly related, inadvertently kissing cousins is a real risk.

A new smartphone app is on hand to help Icelanders avoid accidental incest. The app lets users "bump" phones, and emits a warning alarm if they are closely related. "Bump the app before you bump in bed," says the catchy slogan.

Some are hailing it as a welcome solution to a very Icelandic form of social embarrassment.

"Everyone has heard the story of going to a family event and running into a girl you hooked up with some time ago," said Einar Magnusson, a graphic designer in Iceland's capital, Reykjavik.

"It's not a good feeling when you realize that girl is a second cousin. People may think it's funny, but (the app) is a necessity."

snip

[haffast]

Adalsteinsson stresses that the app has other, less sexual uses.

"We added a birthday calendar to make sure you don't forget your relatives' birthdays," he said.

Forgot their phone, cold reception.

Religion in Iceland

" A Gallup poll conducted in 2011 found that 60% of Icelanders considered religion to be unimportant in their daily lives, one of the highest rates of irreligion in the world.[2]"

"As in the other Nordic countries, church attendance is relatively low; only 10% of Icelanders go to church once a month or more frequently, 43% say that they never attend church and 15.9% say they attend church once a year.[6]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Iceland

[KC_Lion]

I Incest you stay!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elUIbi883v8

[SunkenCiv]

Before you bjork...

Thanks haffast.

[calico_thompson]

A confession. I really, really wanted my 4th cousin.

[RobinOfKingston]

Icelanders need to raid a neighboring country (tribe) and haul back some maidens.

[Georgia Girl 2]

“Icelanders need to raid a neighboring country (tribe) and haul back some maidens”

Or Muslim immigration?

[occamrzr06]

Not many up there ripe for the raiding. Perhaps Denmark, there are all stoned anyways.

[Farmer Dean]

The Amish should consider some raids of their own.

[SIDENET]

It’s all fun and games until you accidentally marry your sister.

[omega4179]

That girl in the centre is not guilty..

[haffast]

Icelanders need to raid a neighboring country (tribe) and haul back some maidens.

They're forming a raiding party now.

[Conserev1]

Hey a family that Boings together stays together!
What’s accidental incest? Hell In the South it’s never accidental! We know what the hell we’re doin!

[Revolting cat!]

Won’t work, we’re all kissing cousins!

[Farmer Dean]

The inbreeding has done it’s damage.They don’t look smart enough or fast enough to catch any maidens.Doomed.

[jmacusa]

YUCK!!

[tumblindice]

“Nuthin’ spells lovin’
Like marryin’ your cousin.”
Phillip Jughead, Prince of Whales

[roadcat]

Those guys need bras. Side-effects of inbreeding?

[JerseyanExile]

Shakes head

As if FiW wasn't already disturbing enough...

[glorgau]

Does the app check for same sex relatives?

[KC_Lion]

I would have used Foaly Matripony

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJmIvOBcJEs