Thursday, February 20, 2014
Would you clone yourself?
The other day as I was driving to school. Radio Disney was doing "Would you rather....?" Questions. (Yes, I still listen to Disney.)
For Valentines day they asked kids if they rather had the principal announce their crush on the speakers or have their parent come in and do a singing Valentine gram.
I picked to have my parents do the valentine gram. I would have my mom sing it and it is the least embarrassing out of the choices. Since my mom tends to know who I currently like. I prefer to have her do the singing gram than a stranger announce it.
Yesterday, they asked the kids who would they clone? It could be family, themselves or pets.
I thought about it seriously and initially want to clone myself. I imagined that it would be productive. I could try on clothing more efficiently and decide if it looks good on me without a mirror. However, I began to wonder.. if the clone of me would be a separate entity or an extension of me. Meaning... would the clone share one mind with me or be an exact copy of me?
If the clone was an extension of me. Like having an extra pair of hands to do work around the house. Then I wouldn't mind having a clone. I would be twice as efficient and keep my memories. In other words, the clone is basically another part of me, sharing and making the same memories. Kinda like the Misaka clones if you watch the anime Railgun.
But I have a feeling that doesn't really count as a clone. What I described seems more like an extra body in my control rather than a copy of myself. Most of the kids answered that they wanted a clone to do all the things they hated like chores and going to the dentist. Which to me seems like you are turning the clone into a slave. And if they have the exact same memory and personality, they would hate the treatment.
The dj then said that the clone would have the exact same memories that you would have. Even so once they exist as a separate entity from myself, they will make new memories and become a different person. Then it would be like having a twin sister. Someone who looks like me, shares my likes and dislikes. Someone that would understand me better than others because of the previously identical memories we share.
However.... I currently have a significant other... My clone would have the same memories and past thoughts as I do. Memories of shyness and giddiness when I first realized that I liked him. Memories of dancing with him at prom. It would be confusing to both me and my clone. Since we would like the same person. I realize that I don't want to share the same memories. Not those memories anyway. My feelings for my significant other and the time I spent with him... I don't want it to be copied. I feel possessive of them. Those memories are between me and him. Those feelings I had and have for him are mine. Even if its a copy of myself I refuse to share it. To me those memories are precious and shouldn't be duplicated. Besides, it would cause her (my clone) great pain. She would be in love with my partner, but he would be with me. It would be painful and confusing for everyone. So my answer in the end.. I don't want to clone myself or anyone for the same reasons.
However, I might want to clone my pet chicken, preferably after she passed away from old age. So it feels like she is still with me. Its for my own selfish reasons.
Cloning seems like a selfish thing to do isn't it? The act of cloning is to benefit someone else and not for the clones. Even how I address them "clones" it implies that they are not full human beings. Regardless it was still interesting to think about it. Perhaps I'll write a story about a clone someday.
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