In the latest Netflix sensation, “3 Body Problem,” based on Cixin Liu’s acclaimed sci-fi trilogy, a perplexing enigma surrounds the scientific community as scientists inexplicably end their own lives. As the series unfolds, it delves into a tapestry of narratives, including a mysterious VR video game, flashbacks to revolutionary China, the presence of shadowy billionaires, and the emergence of peculiar cults.
However, at its core, “3 Body Problem” remains a tale deeply rooted in physics. Liu’s novels, revered in China and embraced by an equally fervent English-language readership, epitomize hard science fiction, prioritizing intricate concepts over character development. Throughout the series, characters resort to chalkboards to convey complex ideas, while scenes from the books present seemingly unfilmable scenarios: multidimensional structures collapsing inward, a computer comprising millions of soldiers, and nano-wires penetrating steel, diamond, and flesh.
