Stable Era Analysis in The Three-Body Problem

Every so often, only one sun lies within the orbit of Trisolaris. When this is the case, Trisolarans are treated to rare moments of peace and regularity known as Stable Eras. During Stable Eras, the leader of Trisolaris gives the order for all citizens to be rehydrated, and the Trisolarans celebrate, replanting their farms and rebuilding their cities. And indeed, because they allow for comfortable temperatures and a dependable schedule, Stable Eras are the only time when civilization on Trisolaris can thrive. However, it is difficult to know when a Stable Era will begin or end; it could be weeks, months, or even years between Stable Eras. For that reason, many of the great minds of Trisolaris—and all of the players of the Three-Body virtual reality game—devote their lives to trying to predict the timing of Stable Eras.

Stable Era Quotes in The Three-Body Problem

The The Three-Body Problem quotes below are all either spoken by Stable Era or refer to Stable Era. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Technology, Progress, and Destruction Theme Icon

King Wen now pointed at Wang, his eyes sparkling. “Now you know the goal of this game: to use our intellect and understanding to analyze all phenomena until we can know the pattern of the sun's movement. The survival of civilization depends on it.”

“Based on my observations, there is no pattern to the sun’s movement at all.”

“That's because you do not understand the fundamental nature of the world.”

Related Characters: Wang Miao (speaker), King Wen (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 101

Explanation and Analysis:

“The Stable Era will continue. The universe is a machine. I created this machine. The Stable Era will continue. The universe…”

Wang turned his head. The voice belonged to Mozi, who was already on fire. His body was encased within a column of tall, orange flame, and his skin crinkled and turned into charcoal. But his two eyes still shone with a light that was distinct from the fire consuming him. His two hands, already burning pieces of charcoal, held up the cloud of swirling ashes that had once been his calendar.

Related Characters: Mozi (speaker), Wang Miao

Page Number and Citation: 148

Explanation and Analysis:

Stable Era Term Timeline in The Three-Body Problem

The timeline below shows where the term Stable Era appears in The Three-Body Problem. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...with shock. Wen informs Wang that in this world, time is divided into Chaotic and Stable Eras . There is no way to know when the sun will rise in a Chaotic... (full context)

...in the sky and he celebrates: two flying stars always heralds the return of a Stable Era . Wang wonders if the appearances of three flying stars would be even better, but... (full context)

As Wen predicted, a Stable Era has begun. Wen explains that during a Chaotic Era, all of humanity is dehydrated; during... (full context)

...the sun rises at the beginning of what Wen has predicted will be a prolonged Stable Era . Zhou gives the order to rehydrate, and Wang watches as soldiers enter thick-walled buildings... (full context)

Scientific Discovery and Political Division Theme Icon

Eight days later, however, the sun does not rise—Wen was wrong, and the Stable Era is already over. Zhou gives the order to dehydrate, and he tells Wen that he,... (full context)

Mozi informs Wang that according to his calculations, a long Stable Era is about to begin. As the passage of time in the game speeds up, Wang... (full context)

...the influence of [the suns’] mutually perturbing gravitational attraction, their movements are unpredictable—the three-body problem.” Stable Eras occur when the game planet revolves around one of the suns in a consistent orbit.... (full context)

...the human computer performs calculations. Finally, the computer spits out a prediction that a year-long Stable Era is about to begin. This time, though, there is no one for Qin to rehydrate,... (full context)

...safe from many of the dangers of Chaotic Eras, the listeners could not leave during Stable Eras , either, so they were denied the basic pleasures of life. (full context)

The Three-Body Problem

Liu Cixin

Stable Era Term Analysis

Stable Era Quotes in The Three-Body Problem

Stable Era Term Timeline in The Three-Body Problem

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Stable Era Term Analysis

Stable Era Quotes in The Three-Body Problem

Stable Era Term Timeline in The Three-Body Problem

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