‘3 Body Problem‘ is the most recent sci-thriller show on Netflix that has the audience awestruck with its story narrative. Though the storyline includes the most common element of any sci-fi production, the aliens, the show creators have played with the time factor quite tactfully to make the show stand apart.
The show, inspired by Chinese science fiction author Liu Cixin’s ‘Remembrance of Earth’s Past’ trilogy, puts forth an intellectual narrative of the alien story. However, it’s not just what is presented on the screen that is worth getting mind-blown over — the devil is in the details.
‘3 Body Problem’ Draws Major Inspiration From 1962 Book ‘Silent Spring’
A rather intriguing but hidden element of Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem‘ is its connection to the real-life environmental movement sparked by Rachel Carson’s book, ‘Silent Spring’. One of the vital characters of the show, Dr Ye Wenjie, finds herself drawn into a quest for extraterrestrial life after reading the book ‘Silent Spring’.
Other than its human characters, ‘3 Body Problem‘ chiefly follows the story of the San-Ti, an alien race facing extinction due to its unstable solar system. As these aliens set their sights on Earth, the story goes back to the 1960s, where a young Ye Wenjie is shown to be highly affected by whatever it is that she reads in the book ‘Silent Spring‘.
‘Silent Spring’ was written by biologist Rachel Carson in 1962, and is based on the harmful effects of the pesticide DDT on the environment and human health. Though the book faced heavy backlash from the chemical industry at the time of its release, Carson’s work remained undeterred.
The book triggered modern environmentalism, which later acted as a prime factor that catalyzed the environmental movement that led to the ban on DDT. It is considered as one of the most revered environment literary pieces till date.
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What Relevance Does ‘Silent Spring’ Hold In ‘3 Body Problem’?
In ‘3 Body Problem‘, Ye’s character forges a connection with environmentalist Mike Evans over her encounter with the book ‘Silent Spring‘. The book’s message—”Nothing in nature exists alone“— is what rings a bell in Ye’s mind as she witnesses the threat posed to a rare bird species by government projects.
This connection ultimately leads Ye down a path of disillusionment with humanity’s ability to govern itself, aligning her with the San-Ti’s mission to bring change to Earth.
There’s also another parallel between the San-Ti’s message of “You are bugs” and DDT’s destruction of a variety of insect populations in ‘Silent Spring’. Ye thus plays a potential role in the downfall of humanity.
As ‘3 Body Problem‘ continues to captivate audiences, its integration of environmentalism through the iconic book adds depth and relevance to the storyline. The show is now available for streaming on Netflix.
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