The Clone Dilemma: Crazy Reddit Post Sparks Mind-Boggling Debate

A recent post on Reddit’s r/AskReddit has ignited a whirlwind of thoughts and opinions with its intriguing premise. User u/rrturro posed a thought-provoking scenario: “You get put into a room with an absolutely identical clone of yourself (memories and all). Only one of you is allowed to leave. How would you defeat yourself?” This question quickly garnered massive attention, accumulating 188 upvotes and 217 comments within five hours.

The top comment, by user GaveUpMyGold, has earned two awards for its witty and darkly humorous take on the situation. It reads, “Listen, only one of us can die. Since I'm the original and you're the clone, I've wanted this for MUCH longer. Here are my phone, keys, and wallet. Best of luck.”

The post has sparked a wide array of responses, from the practical to the existential. One user humorously queried, “Can we take turns? All they said is allowed to leave, not dead…” Another user pondered the logistics: “What are the terms of the stay in the room? Am I/we allowed to have my games? Do we have internet access?”

The potential for collaboration with one’s clone also intrigued many. One comment read, “I would love to watch shows/movies and play games with myself. I’m the smartest person I know. Maybe we’d work on that novel or game.” Another echoed this sentiment, suggesting, “I would definitely team up with myself. We don't believe in trolley problems and similar predicaments, so we would try to find an alternate solution. And now there's two of us.”

Others took a more introspective approach, questioning the very nature of identity. One user pointed out, “If they have ALL of your memories then they are functionally you and are likely to believe that THEY are the template and YOU are the clone. Which of course begs the question; how do you know for sure that you're not?”

The discussion even ventured into pop culture references, with mentions of the Icelandic mini-series “Katla” and David Brin’s novel “Kiln People,” both of which explore themes of cloning and identity.

While some comments delved into practical concerns like job-sharing and household chores, others reflected on deeper existential dilemmas. One user, contemplating the emotional toll, confessed, “I don't care who the other person is, I'd choose to die. Life with that level of survivor's guilt would not be worth living anyway.”

This fascinating Reddit thread encapsulates a blend of humor, philosophy, and practicality, offering a window into the complexities of human identity and the myriad ways people might confront a clone dilemma. Whether it's forming a unique partnership or diving deep into existential queries, the responses reveal much about individual perspectives on selfhood and survival.