It’s not science fiction.

I cringe anytime I hear my dear Uncle Ned talk about the “good ol’ days.” I whince at his dog whistle rethoric. I hear the hatred he spews, and I feel sadness for him and for society. Because, even though I know in my heart that he’s a good person, when Uncle Ned hears certain words, his programming kicks in and he becomes the biggest ass in the room.

Alas poor Ned!

It’s not Ned’s fault. He’s just along for the ride. A ride that’s playing out in a fashion that is eerily reminiscent of Cixin Liu’s The Three-Body Problem. In the novel, a civilization from a chaotic three-sun system embodies a ruthless, “survival of the fittest” mentality. Here on Earth, with our (mostly) predictable sun, cooperation has been humanity’s superpower. Yet, the current conflict exposes a terrifying question: Are we, like the Trisolarans, hurtling towards a future where cooperation is a luxury we can’t afford?

The Two-Party Pendulum of Doom:

The answer isn’t as simple as a “yes” or “no.” Unlike the Trisolarans facing a truly unforgiving yet natural environment, the challenges we face on Earth are largely self-inflicted but are very much artificial. Artificial as it may be, here’s the rub: our own political system creates a similar sense of chaotic instability, mirroring the “Three-Body Problem” on a societal level.

The two-party system, in a perpetual state of tug-of-war, has the effect of pulling the public (here, the third body) towards ideological extremes. Politicians, hungry for power, exploit these divisions, painting the opposing side as enemies, not collaborators. The media, eager for ratings, amplifies these extremes, creating an illusion of a vast ideological gulf where, in reality, most people lie somewhere in the messy middle. This has created a landscape that, at times, looks more akin to people rooting for a sports team to win, rather than society balancing important considerations with each vote. Elections have actual day-to-day consequences and should not be swung in one team’s favor because of fake (yet incendiary) outrage.

This manufactured “Three-Body Problem” has real-world consequences:

• Gridlock and Inaction: Complex problems like climate change and economic inequality become political footballs, kicked around with no real solutions emerging.
• Erosion of Trust: Constant demonization of the “other side” breeds cynicism and distrust, making cooperation seem like a fantastical dream.
• The Illusion of Choice: We’re presented with a false binary, forced to choose between two extremes that don’t reflect our nuanced beliefs.

The result? We, the public, are left swinging between extremes, victims of an “illusion of choice.” Imagine yourself caught in a spaceship with two malfunctioning engines, one yanking you left, the other right. Neither gets you where you want to go, but both promise disaster. This is the “Three-Body Problem” of partisan politics.

Breaking Free from the Pull:

There’s hope. Even though we are nearing the end of Act II and the enemies are closing in, unlike the Trisolarans trapped in their chaotic system, we can rewrite the narrative. Here are some ways that we can escape the “Three-Body Problem” political trap of the Two-Party System:

• Demand Collaborative Solutions: We need to demand that politicians find common ground. Don’t settle for empty promises of victory over the “other side.” Politics is not a team sport. Demand solutions that address the needs of all.
• Embrace the Spectrum: The political landscape isn’t black and white. There’s a vast spectrum of viewpoints in-between the extremes. Support candidates who represent your nuanced beliefs, not just the party line.
• Reclaiming the Middle Ground: Most people actually lie somewhere between the extremes. Let’s reject the false binary and demand nuanced solutions.
• Independent Media: Support and amplify voices that bridge the divide, not those that widen it.
• Ranked-Choice Voting: Systems that allow voters to rank candidates, not just pick one, can weaken the stranglehold of two-party politics.
• Direct Democracy: Citizen initiatives and referendums can give people a more direct say in their future.
• Hold Politicians Accountable: Don’t let them get away with partisan rhetoric. Demand solutions, not soundbites.
• Engage in Civil Discourse: Talk to people who hold different views. You might be surprised how much common ground you actually share.
• Independent Thinking: Don’t be a pawn in someone else’s political game. Research candidates and issues, and form your own opinions.

The situation may feel like a political version of the chaotic Trisolaran system, but remember, we are not passive passengers. We can be the engineers who fix the engines, charting a course towards collaborative solutions. The future of our country, and perhaps even the future of international relations, depends on our ability to break free from the gravitational pull of extremes. The choice is ours.

The Concept of the Three-Body Problem in Physics

Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the three-body problem in the context of physics and astronomy. This video (shared below) certainly helped me to gain a better understanding of the concept out there, which I’m hoping can assist us all in here.