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Watching 3 body problem and remembering a nitpick I have with it (spoilers for the VR game plot) (hexbear.net)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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So the computer based solution proposed by Newton and Turing is rejected because the system is chaotic, meaning a general solution will always diverge from reality.

What I don't get is: this should still be good enough Run your solution every month or so, with updated measurements, and you'll have an ongoing "forecast" of conditions.

I'm referencing weather because that's we do. A weather forecast is a prediction of a chaotic system, but of one which changes every day or so. Prediction difficulty is dependent on local conditions and weather type, but we can still make predictions.

A gravitational system of 4 mutually interacting bodies is muuuuuch simpler than weather, and could be predicted far enough in advance to let a civilization adapt and persist!

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I've read the trilogy already, but it's on my mind now from watching the new series. To your last point, I think the Trisolarans are not worried about remaining secret as the sophon lock on our technology guarantees we cannot stop them. Until we discover the deterrent of course.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

The Netflix series have altered a lot of the book’s plot.

You remembered correctly about the books, the Trisolarians did not care about humans surpassing themselves as you mentioned the Sophons were already locking out their basic sciences. They were only worried about humans discovering the deterrent.

The show changed a few characteristics about the Trisolarians to make it seem much weaker than they should be. They are traveling at 1% light speed in the show! In the books, they were already reaching 10% light speed at that point.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

They are traveling at 1% light speed in the show! In the books, they were already reaching 10% light speed at that point.

Technically their whole journey is at 1% light speed in the books, accounting for acceleration and deceleration - they take ~400 years to go 4 light years. I guess the show just couldn't be bothered to explain the mechanics of it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Yes, that’s true, but by forgoing this detail in the show, there are consequences in how to explain some of the later events.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

But why risk anything if the survival of their species depends on staying more advanced? It would have delayed humanity if they had kept it a secret. It would have been impossible or at least much harder to find out what is going on and how to counter it. (Is it done for the story and the dramaturgy of it? Is them acting meaningfully sacrificed to make the story more entertaining for the viewer? )

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

The LORD does not care. Let the bugs play their little games and try to find a way out. The sophons will prevent them from doing anything that could actually prevent the invasion.

In fact, them panicking and putting all their hopes on false promises might make things easier in the long run.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Human authorities discover the Trisolarans via the ETO before the Trisolarans announce themselves. I guess at that point in the story the general public isn't aware but governments already are.