Question of the Day: January 21, 2019

[brin_bellway]

questionoftheday asks: How do you think you would get along with clones of yourself? Would your clones be able to get along with each other?

My answer:

Pedantic answer: I know my parents wanted more kids, but I think one sibling is probably enough for me. The exact answer depends on how much younger the twin is, since "clone" tends to indicate that your twin is significantly younger than you (rather than gestating alongside you).

Colloquial answer: I feel like I would probably get along pretty well with my forks, though if they're, like, Opia levels of accuracy we're going to have to spend some time diverging first in order to get anything done.

I'm not sure why "clones getting along with each other" would have a different answer from "getting along with your clones". Are we not equals?

Comments

[contrarianarchon]

Biological clones are basically siblings, yes. I already have one of those, don't really see the need for more.

Clones in the sense of mind-forks with identical bodies? I think we'd get on unless we were competing for resources (i.e. access to money/family/friends/prized possessions). I don't know how I'd react under those conditions. We'd diverge quickly in the ways which allow for interesting conversation, because I'm the sort of person who'd respond to "There's five of me" with "Okay, time to make some *real* progress on the ole' infinite reading list."

If the clones aren't perfect copies, then they might not have a equal dynamic. Ditto if the prime gets to have your life, the others might be jealous?

[brin_bellway]

>>Ditto if the prime gets to have your life, the others might be jealous?<<

Mm, there's that. I'm not sure if "jealous of prime's life" would be quite the right framing, but it could lead to some similar results.

I think if it were me, there would be [the trouble adjusting to the upheaval in life circumstances] and [getting pissed at *other* people for thinking the me holding down the fort is More Real], and if these occurred at the same time† they could blend together.

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>>unless we were competing for resources (i.e. access to money/family/friends/prized possessions)<<

Time with family and friends might be a problem. There isn't *all* that much money lying around to have access to, and each me has equal ability to work (not at *exactly* the same job, but could find a very similar one with relative ease). Luckily I don't tend to get attached to objects much beyond becoming accustomed to their sensory input (so it *would* suck having to get new ones but only as part of the general-life-upheaval suckiness; I'd get used to it): my most prized possessions are all information and can be easily copied.

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>>We'd diverge quickly in the ways which allow for interesting conversation, because I'm the sort of person who'd respond to "There's five of me" with "Okay, time to make some *real* progress on the ole' infinite reading list."<<

:)

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†As opposed to something more Thomas-Riker-style, where you don't find out there's another you living your old life until after you've gotten used to your new one.

[contrarianarchon]

... It just occurred to me, if you're the kind of person who believes all clones are inferior, then your clones will think that too? ... That could lead to some fucked up tautological dynamics.

(Do the you's have a legal existence? IDK, that's too specific a part of the scenario, I guess)