San Francisco, 2:37 PM
Sat Dec 5
18 posts in the last 24 hours
Tip your editors:
Editor-in-Chief:
Annalee Newitz |
News Editor:
Charlie Jane Anders |
Associate Editor:
Meredith Woerner |
Assistant Editor:
Lauren Davis |
Weekend Editor:
Graeme McMillan |
Contributors:
Joshua Glenn
Stephen Goldmeier |
Ed Grabianowski |
Austin Grossman
Paul Hogan |
Lauren Davis |
Chris Hsiang |
Lynn Peril |
Ann VanderMeer
Alasdair Wilkins |
Graphic Designer:
Stephanie Fox |
Interns:
Tim Barribeau |
Julia Carusillo |
Alex Eichler |
Cyriaque Lamar |
Caitlin Petrakovitz |
Mary Ratliff |
Josh Snyder |
I suspect the premise is flawed.
Many people who are too much alike don't get along at all; an opposite-sex (or same-sex, if that's what you like) clone doesn't seem likely to be a perfect match.
-Kle. #robertaheinlein
I would SO bone myself! Being gay has that privilege to not worry about changing the sex of my clone/alternate universe/time traveling self. ^_^ #robertaheinlein
Assuming we're not in some freaky psychic-link parallel universe and each clone is alone in their own head...
Masturbation relies on a physical sense of self and is by definition a solitary act, so - because any clone will have an individual sense of self separate from their genetic destiny - clone sex is not masturbation.
Incest, however, comes in two flavors: relationship and genetics.
The act of people who are genetically related having sex is always *biologically* incest to one degree or another, even without emotional bonds being present; but if the two people are strangers there's no emotional baggage, and mental health-wise it's just like any other hook-up.
People who are not related by biology but who are raised together as a family from an early age (under 5) form familial bonds which generally preclude sexual attraction; this is an emotional bond and despite lack of genetic similarity a sexual relationship here would be called "incest" by a psychologist.
So sex between clones is always biologically incest with all the attendant genetic risks for children, but it might not have the emotional overtones of traditional incest if the clones were strangers until they were adults.
The Vorkosigan series has a lovely legal take on clones and relationships, if anyone's interested. #robertaheinlein
sometimes I quote topics from io9 to my poor, patient husband just to get his reaction.
"clones having sex!"
"...did you just say clowns having sex?"
"nope, *clone* sex."
"...'cause *that's* better. You're a freak, you know that?"
"Says the man playing four D-cup female characters on DragonAge."
"That's different." #robertaheinlein
I always said I'd never date someone would date someone like me, so I'm pretty sure I'd have high enough standards not to hook up with myself. #robertaheinlein
I'm finding a lot of the incest arguments fascinating. As an only child, I understand the taboo on more of an academic level. (Meaning I understand it's gross to think of a sibling sexually, but without a sibling, I've never experienced how uncomfortable a thought like that might make me.)
A lot of people seem to be arguing that it's gross to have sex with someone who shares the same genetic material.
I thought the grossness factor came from growing up with someone and developing a relationship with them that precludes you from seeing them in a sexual manner, to the point of being uncomfortable with the idea of their having any sexual aspect at all (much less finding them attractive).
If you didn't grow up with an opposite-sex clone, and never developed any close sex-precluding relationship with them, would you really be tuned off by the concept of some shared genetic material? After all, if you judge by overall DNA, we're all virtually identical. #robertaheinlein
@Jeff Edsell: (Meaning I understand it's gross to think of a sibling sexually, but without a sibling, I've never experienced how uncomfortable a thought like that might make me.)
Well I only have a little brother who is more than twenty years younger than me and since I am not gay nor a pedophile I'm not even remotely at risk of finding him attractive so that gives me no frame of reference. I imagine if I did want a frame of reference in regard to a sibling of the opposite sex I'd just think of how it's gross to think of sex with Mom.
Eew! That does it. If I felt even a little that way about a female sibling there's no way I'd be at risk of performing an incestuous act.
Aren't there a lot of urban legends about separated siblings who unknowingly unite in a romantic relationship? #robertaheinlein
@strideo: The Mom thing is a good point. I'm adopted, so I share no genetic material with my mother, but It's still a thought I can't even entertain. But a lot of people seem to be arguing the grossness comes from genetics, and I don't think so. #robertaheinlein
@Jeff Edsell: I guess that makes sense. After all if you were separated from your sister at birth I don't see any way that you could "sense" her genetic make up and be unattracted to her. #robertaheinlein
I'm so glad to see this article because I've often said that I would never get married unless it was an opposite sex clone of myself. I don't think many people realize I'm dead serious.
It's really just the personality I want. I'm pretty sure hooking up with an opposite sex clone of yourself would somehow be incest... #robertaheinlein
Being a Heinlein fan-boy I have long ago come to terms with the fact that despite my utter revulsion for myself, I would totally do me. But, since neither of us has had any homo-erotic experiences, I foresee a very in-depth argument about who will be, for lack of a better term, catching. this will in turn lead to a much more interesting and exciting situation. If one of us had to kill the other one which one of us would come out the victor? And who can drink more?
Oh man, imagine writing a song or a novel with yourself. The focus.
Dr.Quatermass: I have to say Dr. You are once again spot on with that oberservation and anything I am about to say that contradicts this statement is strictly for humor sake. was starred
Dr.Quatermass: I have to say Dr. You are once again spot on with that oberservation and anything I am about to say that contradicts this statement is strictly for humor sake. was unstarred
Man, I read "All You Zombies..." in my Metaphysics class a couple years ago. I was blown away when, at the end, it's revealed that all 4 (or so) characters are the same person.
But, with the exception of a sex-changed person being fertile, it makes perfect sense. Which is actually pretty awesome. #robertaheinlein
11/14/09
Actually that's the best thing about it. I really wouldn't want to date me.... #robertaheinlein
11/14/09
11/14/09
Many people who are too much alike don't get along at all; an opposite-sex (or same-sex, if that's what you like) clone doesn't seem likely to be a perfect match.
-Kle. #robertaheinlein
11/14/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
Assuming we're not in some freaky psychic-link parallel universe and each clone is alone in their own head...
Masturbation relies on a physical sense of self and is by definition a solitary act, so - because any clone will have an individual sense of self separate from their genetic destiny - clone sex is not masturbation.
Incest, however, comes in two flavors: relationship and genetics.
The act of people who are genetically related having sex is always *biologically* incest to one degree or another, even without emotional bonds being present; but if the two people are strangers there's no emotional baggage, and mental health-wise it's just like any other hook-up.
People who are not related by biology but who are raised together as a family from an early age (under 5) form familial bonds which generally preclude sexual attraction; this is an emotional bond and despite lack of genetic similarity a sexual relationship here would be called "incest" by a psychologist.
So sex between clones is always biologically incest with all the attendant genetic risks for children, but it might not have the emotional overtones of traditional incest if the clones were strangers until they were adults.
The Vorkosigan series has a lovely legal take on clones and relationships, if anyone's interested. #robertaheinlein
11/13/09
"clones having sex!"
"...did you just say clowns having sex?"
"nope, *clone* sex."
"...'cause *that's* better. You're a freak, you know that?"
"Says the man playing four D-cup female characters on DragonAge."
"That's different." #robertaheinlein
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
A lot of people seem to be arguing that it's gross to have sex with someone who shares the same genetic material.
I thought the grossness factor came from growing up with someone and developing a relationship with them that precludes you from seeing them in a sexual manner, to the point of being uncomfortable with the idea of their having any sexual aspect at all (much less finding them attractive).
If you didn't grow up with an opposite-sex clone, and never developed any close sex-precluding relationship with them, would you really be tuned off by the concept of some shared genetic material? After all, if you judge by overall DNA, we're all virtually identical. #robertaheinlein
11/13/09
Well I only have a little brother who is more than twenty years younger than me and since I am not gay nor a pedophile I'm not even remotely at risk of finding him attractive so that gives me no frame of reference. I imagine if I did want a frame of reference in regard to a sibling of the opposite sex I'd just think of how it's gross to think of sex with Mom.
Eew! That does it. If I felt even a little that way about a female sibling there's no way I'd be at risk of performing an incestuous act.
Aren't there a lot of urban legends about separated siblings who unknowingly unite in a romantic relationship? #robertaheinlein
11/14/09
11/14/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
11/13/09
It's really just the personality I want. I'm pretty sure hooking up with an opposite sex clone of yourself would somehow be incest... #robertaheinlein
11/13/09
Oh man, imagine writing a song or a novel with yourself. The focus.
Make this happen Science. #robertaheinlein
11/13/09
But, with the exception of a sex-changed person being fertile, it makes perfect sense. Which is actually pretty awesome. #robertaheinlein