Complexity of Multiple Solutions to Intractable Problems
By Norran Y. (12 Grade, Canada)
May 6th, 2025
How does Cixin Liu use contrasting, complex characters in The Three Body Problem to show that there are multiple perceptions and solutions when facing complex issues?
I
In The Three-Body Problem, Cixin Liu uses different characters with contrasting qualities and methods of thinking. They demonstrate different perspectives and solutions when viewing and solving complex problems without a single resolution. More specifically, by comparing and contrasting their different approaches to the threat of Trisolaris, Liu reveals how education, character background, and personal beliefs shape ways of thinking; as well as responses to dilemmas. Education affects a character’s sophistication and sharpens their world-view, their background shapes inclinations and biases in perception, and beliefs guide actions and goals based on morals. Furthermore, all character traits aforementioned are thoroughly explored in The Three-Body Problem. Primary examples include Da Shi, who lacks scientific knowledge but prefers to be practical and human-focused; Wang Miao, who has a scientific background, prefers to use reason grounded in logic and rationalism; Ye Wenjie, a scientist whose personal trauma shapes her radical choices; and Mike Evans, whose radical beliefs and irrational thinking drives his decisions.
II
Captain Shi (Da Shi) is introduced as a coarse, stubborn officer who uses his ‘street smarts’ to solve cases. A lack of scientific education helps shape his grounded, action-oriented approach that prioritises observable human behavior and immediate results. Moreover, he describes himself, using crude imagery, as “a simple man without a lot of complicated twists and turns” (Liu 132), and admits he is “fearless out of ignorance” (Liu 138). These surface characteristics greatly contrast him from scientists, such as Wang Miao, who is always formal. Wang perceives Shi as rude and disruptive during their initial acquaintance. Although many of his methods to solving problems include following leads that seem insignificant to others, Shi’s approaches are not any less sophisticated than those with scientific education. Having a human-centric, pragmatic lens when regarding complex issues, he is able to cover blind-spots that almost all other scientists have missed. Therefore, even without formal scientific education or knowledge, Shi’s deductions – such as the proposal of the death of scientists being works of extraterrestrial forces – turns out to be correct eventually. A specific example of Shi’s lack of scientific education changing his problem-solving method is when others – who also lack scientific understanding – dismiss ‘Three Body’ as being a trivial game, while Shi understands its hidden depths; and it being “no ordinary game” (Liu 138). Because Shi confirms that he cannot play it due to his ignorance and lack of knowledge, he humbles himself by admitting he cannot solve the case without “someone knowledgeable, like” (Liu 138) Wang. Thus, Shi’s solution’s approach is to push Wang to play the game, and the eventual discovery of the ETO proves his initial assumptions correct. And therefore, although Shi greatly contrasts Wang in terms of education and scientific knowledge, this contrast helps their distinctive strengths cover each other’s weaknesses – eventually solving the case with different approaches toward a common goal.
III
Wang Miao contrasts Shi’s solutions to issues with his scientific thinking and evidence-gathering, revealing how a methodical, evidence-based perspective can address complex issues. Being a nanotechnologist, Wang has a strong scientific background and seeks logical explanations grounded in empirical evidence. This quality is first displayed when he is met with the phenomena of seeing a countdown. Wang initially panics but eventually starts analysing it: sitting “on the sofa and thought the matter over more rationally” (Liu 78), as he attempts to regain control over a chaotic situation with logic. Furthermore, after systematically ruling out human causes as the source for the countdown, Wang relies on collaborative, scientific inquiry by consulting peers such as Shen Yufei. In contrast, Shi’s approach does not require discussions with others as he uses his ‘street smarts’ to solve cases. As aforementioned, both Wang and Shi understand the importance of ‘Three Body’ for its latent details. When inside the world of ‘Three Body’, Wang looks for patterns and hidden details – much like how scientists approach a complex dataset. For instance, after losing the first game he plays, Wang is about to exit but notices “ three flying stars in the sky revolving closely round each other”, “which seemed to perform a strange dance against the abyss of space” (Liu 109). This relatively small detail on the end-screen gives Wang the realisation that such phenomena can exist and makes him ponder further about it; even having to “chase away these thoughts” (Liu 111) because he is thinking so much. Additionally, in the game, Galileo explains that by using observational data and experiments, they make “logical deductions to build a model of the universe” (Liu 183). Although Wang challenges this approach with critical thinking, he ultimately admits this is also his “way of thinking” (Liu 183) – complimenting his rational foundation and enabling his further progression into the game. Therefore, Wang’s rational approach and attention to minute details demonstrate his ability to navigate complex issues through a scientific lens, offering a distinct perspective and solution to solving the issues in The Three-Body Problem.
IV
Unlike Shi and Wang, Ye Wenjie represents someone who integrates personal conflicts into their regard of complex world-issues. Ye’s perception of humanity being “no longer capable of solving its own problems” (Liu 276) stems from her past experiences, primarily her father’s death and being sent to a labour camp. Because of her scientific background, Ye receives the opportunity of being transferred to “Red Coast”, where she discovers extraterrestrial life. With views clouded by profound scarring, she communicates with the aliens and tells them that “our civilization is no longer capable of solving its own problems. We need your force to intervene” (Liu 276). Not only does Ye exaggerate the situation by condemning the entirety of humanity, she uses “our” instead of “my” to incorporate a sense of universality. Furthermore, her decision is unilateral as it was made before the ETO’s inception, and shows her assumption of the existence of like-minded people who may have also come from similar backgrounds. Although a group in support of the invitation to the Trisolarans eventually proves to exist, Ye’s contrasting characteristic – from her profound isolation and past trauma – distinguishes her from other members of the ETO. Her motivation stems from first-hand experiences of human injustice. Additionally, Ye, like Wang, has a scientific approach focusing on rationality when faced with issues. However, she believes that humanity has driven itself into “the face of madness, [where] rationality [is] powerless” (Liu 270). Ye deduces that, since rationality is no longer a solution, humanity’s only option is to welcome external forces as an answer. Therefore, past trauma corrupts Ye’s logic and method of thinking, which results in her biased assessment of humanity and a conviction of its irredeemability. Hence, providing her with a seemingly logical but destructive solution to the issue.
V
Mike Evans’ radical “pan-species communism” (Liu 307) is a belief that advocates for the equality of all species, and drives him to embrace human-eradication as the solution. Mike’s extreme stance of prioritising ecological salvation over human survival showcases his fundamental rejection of humanity, caused by a complex blend of privilege and disillusionment. Although Mike has witnessed animals suffering due to human actions – such as “more than twenty thousand tons of crude oil spilled into the ocean” (Liu 306) – unlike Ye, this event did not harm him directly. However, Mike uses even stronger language – as compared to Ye – to describe “the human race” as “an evil species”, and that “human civilization has committed unforgivable crimes against the Earth” (Liu 253). Hence, these events display Mike as a character who expresses an ideologically driven stance with little rational thinking – contrasting that of Ye and Wang. In addition, Mike’s belief contradicts itself, since aliens wiping out humans would break pan-species communism’s fundamental stance of all species being equal. Therefore, Mike’s strong, personal beliefs lead to his scarce amount of rational thinking in his black-and-white solution to problems. However, his wealth and privileges makes it easier for him to do research and gather empirical evidence – a characteristic similar to that of scientists. Mike is slow to believe when Ye tells him about the extraterrestrial forces, saying he “can’t believe what [she] just told” (Liu 312) him and needing “ resources to confirm this” (Liu 312). Thus, Mike’s approach to verifying facts via gathering data himself compliments scientific traits found in Wang and Ye, but his lack of rationality – caused by his radical beliefs – when thinking and perceiving problems shows a greater contrast.
VI
By incorporating various characters with complex traits and perspectives – influenced by education, background, and personal beliefs – into The Three-Body Problem, Cixin Liu successfully illustrates the multifaceted nature of confronting a complex issue. Multiple perceptions and problem-solving approaches are explored through comparisons and contrasts between characters. Da Shi and Wang Miao’s different paths – one driven by intuition, and the other by intellect – eventually converges with the same conclusion; underscoring the influence of education on problem-solving techniques. Meanwhile, the large contrast between Ye Wenjie and Mike Evans’ proposed solutions is due to differences in rationality and logic. Therefore, similarities and differences between these characters reveal the grander complexity of human reaction to intractable problems.
Reference(s)
Liu, Cixin. The Three-Body Problem. Translated by Ken Liu, Tom Doherty Associates, 2006.
