The Three-Body Problem

The Three-Body Problem

by

Liu Cixin

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Frontiers of Science Term Analysis

The Frontiers of Science is a mysterious global organization that brings together high-level scientists, many of whom focus on abstract theory. As physicist Ding Yi explains, the group tries to examine the limits of science, finding cases or places where normal scientific laws do not hold up. Because the Frontiers of Science caused so many experts to lose their faith in scientific theory, many of those who were involved committed suicide.
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Frontiers of Science Term Timeline in The Three-Body Problem

The timeline below shows where the term Frontiers of Science appears in The Three-Body Problem. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 4. The Frontiers of Science
Scientific Discovery and Political Division Theme Icon
...to know whether Wang has had any contact with a secretive organization known as the Frontiers of Science , which is made up of prominent intellectuals from around the world. One of the... (full context)
Technology, Progress, and Destruction Theme Icon
Scientific Discovery and Political Division Theme Icon
History and Legacy Theme Icon
...explains that as physics got more complex, the original theories started to break down. The Frontiers of Science was trying to use physics to figure out the limit of what was knowable. Though... (full context)
Theory vs. Lived Experience Theme Icon
Wang explains that he was introduced to the Frontiers of Science through Shen Yufei, a Japanese physicist of Chinese descent. Her arguments were fascinating, but while... (full context)
Chapter 5. A Game of Pool
Trauma and Cyclical Harm Theme Icon
Theory vs. Lived Experience Theme Icon
...a star, always so distant.” Ding encourages Wang not to get further involved in the Frontiers of Science . (full context)
Chapter 6. The Shooter and the Farmer
Technology, Progress, and Destruction Theme Icon
...a seemingly spaced-out man named Wei Cheng. Though Wei has nothing to do with the Frontiers of Science —nobody even knows if he is employed—he spends all day laboring on a fancy computer.... (full context)
Chapter 10. Da Shi
Technology, Progress, and Destruction Theme Icon
Scientific Discovery and Political Division Theme Icon
Theory vs. Lived Experience Theme Icon
History and Legacy Theme Icon
...of strange events that have been happening lately. In addition to the development of the Frontiers of Science and the wave of suicides, there has been a bunch of crimes committed against academic... (full context)
Chapter 16. The Three-Body Problem
Technology, Progress, and Destruction Theme Icon
...love; Shen was only interested in solving the three-body problem. While Shen worked on the Frontiers of Science , Wei was trying to improve his algorithm. For the most part, the two had... (full context)