Chapter 1: A New Appreciation for Science Fiction

Science fiction has never been my go-to genre, although I’ve enjoyed a handful of outstanding films and the works of Isaac Asimov, particularly I, Robot. However, Netflix's Three-Body Problem series is rekindling my interest in this genre. It delivers an accurate portrayal of science while crafting an engaging and approachable story.

The series draws from a trilogy by Chinese author Liu Cixin, who is not only a writer but also an engineer with a strong grasp of physics. It challenges the stereotype of scientists as socially awkward individuals, instead showcasing a diverse cast of intelligent women and men. I believe this representation is crucial in inspiring more people to embrace science.

Being married to a musician who has a background in physics certainly enhances my viewing experience. When my husband explained that the title refers to a real physics challenge, I was instantly intrigued. The three-body problem is famously difficult to solve because it’s nearly impossible to predict the movement of three celestial bodies, whether they are stars or planets. For instance, while two celestial objects can maintain stable orbits along a predictable trajectory, introducing a third body—like another sun—can lead to chaotic interactions, resulting in collisions, ejections into space, or unpredictable paths. In the series, this complex challenge is presented on a planet with two suns, light years away from Earth. I won't elaborate further to avoid spoiling the series for those who haven't seen it yet.

I anticipate that Netflix will adapt the next two books in the trilogy. My hope is that productions like this will generate excitement around science. In a time when conspiracy theories and anti-science rhetoric are prevalent, we need more advocates for scientific literacy. The contributions of figures like Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, and Stephen Jay Gould are sorely missed. Who could forget Sagan’s iconic phrase, “billions and billions of stars”? Today, we look to popular science communicators like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye, and the ever-curious David Attenborough to help us grasp the wonders of science and the universe, along with the myriad species on our planet that are now threatened by climate change. I hope a prominent female scientist will emerge as a public figure, especially considering that women now make up 43% of the scientific community.

Unfortunately, trust in scientists has declined since the onset of the COVID pandemic. A Pew Research Center survey revealed that “positive perceptions of science's impact have dropped by 8 percentage points since November 2021 and by 16 points since 2019.” Notably, Democrats are now more likely than Republicans to view science positively (69% vs. 47%).

It's disheartening to see a blanket mistrust of science due to the flawed political handling of the initial COVID response, which likely saved countless lives. We desperately need more scientific reasoning in our politics and public discourse. Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize-winning psychologist, transformed our understanding of economics by revealing how people often make irrational choices that contradict their own interests.

Kahneman noted that people can be too hasty in forming conclusions under certain circumstances, while being overly reluctant to change their minds in others. As detailed in a Washington Post article following his passing, he observed, “Many individuals are overconfident and place unwarranted faith in their intuitions,” as he discussed in his celebrated 2011 book, Thinking, Fast and Slow. “They seem to find cognitive effort at least mildly unpleasant and tend to avoid it.”

In contrast, science requires logical and critical thinking. Acting on a hunch demands proof through reproducible experimental results. Moreover, science is self-correcting. While it builds upon existing research, it is also updated based on new findings, which can overturn previously established theories.

Kahneman's insights shed light on why some individuals, despite overwhelming evidence, continue to support Donald Trump, often acting against their own best interests unless they are part of the billionaire elite. They simply “feel” he represents them, lacking any evidence to substantiate that belief, while ample evidence suggests otherwise. Unlike the self-correcting nature of scientific thought, many MAGA supporters have remained steadfast in their beliefs, even in light of Trump’s numerous legal challenges and increasingly erratic behavior.

While not everyone can be a scientist, I hope more Americans come to appreciate the extensive benefits that science brings to our lives and begin to prioritize facts over feelings or beliefs. This type of non-analytical thinking has contributed to a dysfunctional House of Representatives and the looming threat of authoritarianism in the upcoming presidential election. I wish that science could offer a solution to this crisis.

Section 1.1: The Science Behind the Story

The Three-Body Problem series not only entertains but also educates viewers about complex scientific concepts.

Chapter 2: Engaging with the Series

As the narrative unfolds, the series introduces intricate scientific dilemmas that resonate with real-world challenges.

The first video, "3 BODY PROBLEM Could Have Been Great | Netflix Series Review," provides an insightful critique of the series and its scientific foundations.

The second video, "Netflix's Three Body Problem: An Extremely In-Depth Review," offers a comprehensive analysis of the show's themes and characters.