posted on May, 17 2023 @ 11:08 PM
Hi ATS!
I have just finished a crazy good book about science, technology, religion, aliens, and the Glorious Revolution (and China’s history).
Title: The Three-Body Problem
Author: Cixin Liu
Warning: A trilogy and soon to be a Netflix feature
The novel is a translation from Chinese so that may make one hesitate. Next, philosophy, religion, history, and science are at the forefront of this
novel. And yes, “conspiracy theories” can only arise from the East-West tensions and the rise of Communism.
There is a human side as well: both sides, good and bad.
Overview: China had the Revolution in 1968 where a daughter watches the death of both her father and education “for the glory of the people”.
Intellectuals are lumped in with Imperialist West, and former scientists are sent to “rehabilitation centers” to learn the errors of their
ways.
The new state has an issue between applied science and theoretical research which follows the story through out. What follows questions what humanity
means as a species versus the individual. What is “evil” and what is the response? The daughter/scientist is taken out to help the State with
their project concerning radio telescopes (and the application as a weapon).
Ultimately, the question lies with the reader, “where should blame lie?”, as all great literature leaves the question!
Fast paced, funny, lonely, evocative, and questioning, the pages fly by.
Problems and questions of the literature nature arise but that doesn’t take away from the story.
FYI: The gravitational interaction between two space objects can be solved using Newtonian calculus. When you add in another object you have to add in
relativity and then you have a problem that depends upon starting conditions. This failure of mathematics (and physics) is often overlooked. And
looked at as the interaction between individual, state, and extraterrestrials, is the theme of this book.
Book II: The Dark Forest
Book III: Death’s End
Worth the effort to read.
Like my other “finds”, sorry about being late to the game!!