What are some plausible and complex reasons? Do I even need them?

Do I need to have a plausible, believable reason why someone would want to clone Che? I was thinking over what I've written so far and realised the only reason why the protagonist was created is "I want a Tyke-Bomb that's an almost perfect copy of Che Guevara." But I want additional plausible reasons. The only thing is, "Do I even need them?" Do you necessarily need to have a solid reason for your plot to write a good story?

edited 28th Aug '12 2:34:49 AM by MorwenEdhelwen

Short answer: no

Longer answer: No, but willing suspension of disbelief has its limits

You don't necessarily need a complex reason, but you do need a plausible one. Unless it's an absurdist comedy.

@imadinosaur: Would you consider the above reason to be plausible enough? If not, could you suggest another one?

edited 28th Aug '12 3:27:51 AM by MorwenEdhelwen

I wouldn't really say that's a reason at all. Why do they want a tykebomb, and why do they want him to be a clone of Che?

@imadinosaur: clones as tykebombs are common in the world of the story, even in Cuba, because clones are considered property due to genetic modification. If you need a child in a military operation, use a clone because they "are considered disposable" and are "slaves." The person who commissioned the Che clone has an admiration for the dead revolutionary's charisma and failed potential because it's science fiction. And oh yeah, you have the General Cabrera promoting people from opposing factions and persuading his friends to do the same, in order to make it sound like he doesn't mind opposition and lots of gangsterism as various officers try to grab control in a sort of one-upmanship competition; "I have more supporters than you." So basically: "I (heart) Che" + we need someone to fight for us = "Oh, let's CLONE HIM!

edited 9th Sep '12 3:39:01 AM by MorwenEdhelwen

I seriously know next to nothing about your work (as interesting as it sounds), but as I understand it, in your alternate history, Che Guevara's movement did occur but failed.

Well, what if the revolutionary left behind an underground base full of resources, the never-used secret weapon of his revolution, only accessible by a (cough cough) fingerprint scanner?

That could add additional motivation for him to be cloned, methinks.

Unfortunately, fingerprints don't work like that; identical twins don't have the same fingerprints. So unless this cloning service can somehow offer completely identical condition's to Che's mother's uterus at the time of her pregnancy with him...

Well. Your world sound significantly different from real life, with commonplace cloning and complete disregard to the clones' rights (honestly, the latter seems most unlikely to me). If there is a serious cult of personality around Che - much more so than IRL, it would have to be to an almost-religious level - then it could work.

...sigh...this is why I'm not allowed to do science. Maybe a DNA scan, or something? I do agree that the cult of personality thing is perhaps the most significant aspect of a Che clone. Just imagine Abraham Lincoln walking around in modern America...

@Brother Mycroft: Abe Lincoln has a cult of personality among Americans?

@Tropers/imadinosaur: Cult of personality it is. And why don't you have a page?

edited 28th Aug '12 4:46:49 PM by MorwenEdhelwen

@Brother Mycroft: Re fingerprints: Too many people don't realise that, not just you. I didn't realise it until very recently. ^note  I'm also trying to avoid making this an Anvilicious Author Tract about "Human cloning and cults of personality are BAD. Did I say they're bad? Well I guess you didn't hear me, cause they're BAD." I freakin' HATE this cult-of personality thing (and I'm someone who would describe herself as a "socialist", but not a Communist, if she was asked to give her political views) And I think that being a clone of Che in an environment where half the population hates your original and the other half thinks he was the Messiah might leave you with a lot of emotional problems. Can anyone say " serious Cloning Blues"?

edited 29th Aug '12 2:50:03 AM by MorwenEdhelwen

It's always a good idea to ask "why?" in your stories. It helps you flesh out your characters and avoid plot-holes.

Is there a plausible reason for "Che 2" to be But Not Too Black? Somehow I like that idea. I thought that might be because he's meant to be a Tyke-Bomb and undetectable.I just found this:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3339460/New-cloning-method-used-to-make-designer-babies.html. A new method for making a Che clone?

edited 10th Sep '12 4:42:00 PM by MorwenEdhelwen