Why people recommend it
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu is a celebrated Chinese science fiction novel that explores first contact with alien civilizations against the backdrop of historical political upheaval. Ben van Kerkwyk and Jesse Michels both enthusiastically recommended the book series and the accompanying Netflix adaptation on The Joe Rogan Experience, connecting the narrative to the dark forest theory and state control of scientific advancement. Emily Jashinsky and a co-host on Breaking Points discussed specific plot points from the novel regarding the cultural revolution and extraterrestrial disclosure. The host of Timcast IRL similarly praised the introductory sections of the work, advocating that they should be required viewing or reading in educational settings. Nic Carter recommended the sci-fi novel on the Lex Fridman Podcast as a thought-provoking read, despite calling it a hackneyed recommendation. Additionally, Tim Urban analyzed the pacing, plot structure, and grand scale of the entire trilogy on Modern Wisdom, while Dan Wang mentioned the author when discussing prominent contemporary literary figures. These diverse mentions reflect the profound cultural impact of Liu's imaginative storytelling and its ability to spark deep philosophical conversations about humanity's place in the cosmos.
Who recommended it
- Tyler Cowen Discussed
- Tim Urban Discussed
- Dan Wang Discussed
- Ben van Kerkwyk Recommended
- Joe Rogan Discussed
- Jesse Michels Recommended
- Emily Jashinsky Recommended
- Lulu Cheng Meservey Discussed
- David Kipping Discussed
- Terry Virts Discussed
- Rebecca F. Kuang Discussed
- Nic Carter Recommended
Tyler Cowen — 2 mentions
“Why is volume one of Three-Body Problem the best of the three volumes?”
“Why do you think The Three-Body Problem took off the way it did? Well, it is very good, right?”
Tim Urban — 1 mention
“And then um and then I um, more recently obviously I read the whole Three Body Problem trilogy which is by the way an example of one of those times when I couldn't do that either.”
Dan Wang — 1 mention
“Liu Cixin, author of The Three-Body Problem.”
Ben van Kerkwyk — 1 mention
“So, it's this came out of uh it was the threebody problem. uh great series of books by a Chinese author got turned into amazing Netflix show great show the books are phenomenal too”
Joe Rogan — 1 mention
“like some there's some editor who it's probably more like you know um the threebody problem the the books and the show.”
Jesse Michels — 1 mention
“And like I don't know if you've read there's a um great uh Chinese science fiction novel called The Three Body Problem. Great show on Netflix, too. It's amazing.”
Emily Jashinsky — 1 mention
“Although, if you read the threebody problem, you do know that there of course benefits. Uh, as somebody who wants aliens revealed to be to the United States, that that was the only benefit of the cultural revolution from that book.”
Lulu Cheng Meservey — 1 mention
“You know, in the threebody problem, especially in the dark forest in the second book, where the tricolerans look at humans and determine which humans, which wallfacers have what level of deterrence.”
David Kipping — 1 mention
“did you get to watch the three body problem yeah I did and d read the couple of the first couple of books and I thought the show was really intriguing”
Terry Virts — 1 mention
“there's a a novel called the three-body problem it's a chinese novel by xi xin liu it's probably the most famous book on earth”
Rebecca F. Kuang — 1 mention
“My fiance is reading 2001: A Space Odyssey right now and its sequels, and he was a big fan of Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem trilogy, and he's telling me he can see where the Clarke influence comes from.”
Nic Carter — 1 mention
“i really liked the three body problem but that's a really hackneyed recommendation but it really made me think”
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 4
“Although, if you read the threebody problem, you do know that there of course benefits. Uh, as somebody who wants aliens revealed to be to the United States, that that was the only benefit of the cultural revolution from that book. Sorry, I guess I just spoiled it, but whatever. Yeah, it's still worth reading. It's been it's been out”
“And you know, have you all watched 'Three Body Problem' yet? We talked about it when it first came out.”
“I believe the introduction to the 'Three-Body Problem' should be required viewing in schools; kids should definitely watch it.”
“I'm only going to show a quick couple of seconds because I thought it was colorized footage of the show 'Three-Body Problem.' In the show, they depict a physics professor in a dunce cap on stage while he's being screamed at and told to reject science.”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (5: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Is there a world with no walls to face just to keep going with that three body problem stuff?”
“Before you know it, you're reading the threebody problem.”
“do you do you remember there was a a a whole service around uh buying and naming stars do you do you remember this this was kind of like a big idea in the '90s maybe early 2000s three body problem that's like one of the one of the ideas I hav't”
“because of course he put the three body problem on one of his lists of favorite books of the Year”
“If I had to send a person to one place to learn Chinese science fiction, assuming they're not going to read three volumes of Three-Body Problem, I'd send them to Folding Beijing.”