Outis answers “How do distant clones solve the...”

Eric asked this question about Diaspora:

How do distant clones solve the simultaneity problem of SR? For example, in Chapter 11, "Elena had chose not to wake if any other versions of her had already encountered life". But the clones are light years away from each other! By the time messages arrive from another clone it could be too late. I find this part really unsatisfatory given the overall rigorous and technically detailed style of the book :-(

Outis Yes, it is a possibility. But is it likely? And would it be a serious problem? There are more than one Elena anyway, right?
If you want to be rigorous …moreYes, it is a possibility. But is it likely? And would it be a serious problem? There are more than one Elena anyway, right?
If you want to be rigorous however, the simultaneity problem is something else. There's not much difference between the frame of references involved so the versions of Elena who are in orbit of a star wouldn't disagree significantly about what is simultaneous. Communication isn't instantaneous, that's all.(less)

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