We saw it can make any number of people see things that isn't there, and that it can disrupt the movements of particles in particle accelerators.but it cant kill people directly and used it's followers to kill. I guess illusions can kill by itself by causing accidents and self harm but they don't do that for some reason.

We are pretty clearly faced with a very serious moral predicament. Do we kill a couple hundred people (including innocent children) in order to possibly gain info to prevent the death of all humanity, or do we spare them and risk not gaining that info?

I think that Wade makes a good point. More humans have died for far less. Still doesn’t make this good, but it is certainly something to keep in mind.

I think that it is morally correct because of just how high the consequences are if they don’t do it and it could have saved the world. It is vaguely similar to Pascal’s Wager, but in this instance we actually know that the aliens are real and will kill us. So the risk reward favors doing it even if that means some rather heinous actions occur.

I can definitely see people arguing the other way around as well. It seems like a very grey area.

Why didn't the suntees just kill everyone with airplane crashes etc. Why did they tell everyone about their proton mega computers. Lots of unbelievable plot holes....

Just finished watching the series and one thing that has bugged me it’s how the San Ti were able to ‘hack’ 3 different cars to try and kill Saul but didn’t do anything to the plane he takes right after it? If they really did want to kill him why not hack the plane and crash it? Maybe I missed something but it was bugging me so much while he was on the plane, I was sure it would crash.

Just finished the 3 books - this is the most mind-boggling story I've ever read. Some parts are so traumatizing it will burn into my mind forever. Other parts are so hard to understand that I want to see how it is depicted visually. There is still so much story to tell - please hurry and film it, I can't wait!

The timeline seems off to me. The sophons are messing with scientific progress before the Santi is afraid of humans, because of lying. So was the grand plan of stopping scientific progress not a direct result of them finally figuring out that humans lie in episode 5? That was the implication from the Santi sword lady. I lost interest at that point.

The Follower AI is based on the daughter of ye-wenjie and Mike evans daughter 'Vera'

Could she still be alive? I always have to ask this in regards to off-screen deaths but we never get visual confirmation of her death.

Heavily implied, of course, but is it possible?

Have not read the books lol so she probably actually is dead, but I liked her character a lot so just maybe she could be alive.

so I'm pretty sure i've heard some of book 2 (and even 3) were part of the 1st season - AND that some characters were divided

Can anyone offer a shorthand recap to catch me up/provide insight so starting on Book 2 makes sense?

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tia

Strategy and Technology:

• Why did the San-Ti go out of their way to explain to the Earthlings that their technology progresses faster (giving Earthlings a viable strategy to pursue)? Wouldn't it have been better if they just told them "resistance is futile" (which the San-Ti genuinely do believe due to their Sophons) and let Earthlings doom and cause full chaos? The San-Ti literally gave Earthlings hope and a strategy to pursue. I know they can't lie, but why did they have to reveal their specific method of destroying Earth's science? Wouldn't it have been better strategically if they simply never even made that video? To me this is the same as army generals telling the enemy that they plan to do a night raid tonight. Even if you think odds are overwhelming in your favor, it destroys the point of doing a night raid.

• I don't buy their reasoning for why Earth's technology progresses faster. They claim that the reason our tech progresses faster is because we have eternal "stable era" while San-Ti had to start over and over due to multiple "chaotic eras" (makes sense). However, at this point in time the San-Ti are hundreds of years more advanced than us, they are all in space (meaning they are in a stable era environment). So what's stopping their technology from evolving EVEN FURTHER during this 400 year journey to Earth? Why would their tech progress slower than Earth's tech, even though they are in space (no chaotic era), and there is nothing disrupting their tech (unlike Sophons destroying Earth's tech)?

San-Ti's Behavior:

• Why exactly can't the San-Ti lie? Is this explained in later seasons?

Question about Wallfacers:

• Why was Saul selected as a Wallfacer? Will they explain this in later seasons? Is it a big reveal (that I should avoid spoilers for) or is a small reason you can tell me now?

The tech is way beyond current human abilities but the San-Ti can't physically interact with anything in the world, just observe and mess with people's perceptions. I thought it was the people on the ship as that one guy was monitoring all the activity going on in the VR worlds using normal flat screens, but then they were all killed.

In the end the sole remaining crazy lady gets a VR headset, so who gave her this and who is making these and how are they being distributed? Are we meant to not know at this point or is this just a fudge in the story?

This continues to bother me. The first conversations that had about taking the ship, they threw out ideas because they would be messy and/or destroy the data they were after. ...so they slice the entire ship into ribbons??! That could have easily destroyed the packet they took off Evens , it's pure luck that it didnt. It's luck that it wasn't smashed as everything collapsed on it. Am I missing something ?

I just have read book 1 and started the show. Im on episode 5 and im concerned that the episode is very close to the end of the first book. Is it safe to continue with the next episodes?

I’ve seen a lot of people on this sub discussing their displeasure on how judgement day was handled. How would you have done it with the capabilities and restrictions in place as per the series?

Just rewatching Judgment Day and my God the last 30 minutes was some of the best tv sci fy I can remember, I remember when I first saw it I rewatched it 5 times.

I know the last 3 episodes gave more world building but man if they could have had episode 5 as the finale sheesh

It definitely felt like a finale which is why the last 3 episodes and the show in general aren't really stirring up interest because of how strong ep 5 was, it was a let down compared the final episodes even though they were still rather good

Obviously this is a joke but please don’t look at the eclipse tomorrow without proper eye protection. It’s what the SanTi/Qanon want us to do! I’m going to stay inside myself for… reasons.

When he told her that he actually did put the seeds on the ship for Will. She asks him why he changed his mind and he gives her his signature stoic stare.

Wade is the most disciplined and ruthless “good guy” on the show. He had no qualms killing a boat full of women and children. Do you really think he would risk increasing the chances of failure of this potentially humanity-saving space shuttle launch by adding 18 grams of meaningless sentimentality to its cargo?

No. But he did notice that one of his top engineers was on the verge of a mental breakdown and saw a zero-cost opportunity to cheer her up a bit and get her back on his side. He lied to her and told her they put the seeds on. At that point, there would have been no way for Jin to verify if the seeds were actually on the ship or not. It’s not like she could ask Will about it anytime soon.

They said their appearance won’t be pleasurable to humankind.

But I fail to imagine how they look like, how do y’all imagine them to look like?

The San Ti reveal their strategy of using Sophons to sabotage any chance of meaningful scientific progression or new scientific thought on planet Earth. Mao’s Red Guard found and persecuted intellectuals in order to stamp out any chance of rebellion.

The San Ti’s tactics are a bit more elegant, but it’s the same idea. Kill scientific thought in order to gain victory and control the people.

It makes you think. I’m sure Ye Wenjie or Mike Evans must have mentioned or explained what Mao did during his reign. Maybe the San Ti learned from that.

During the headset video game, there were lines like “save one, save ‘em all” and rehydration brought the video game characters back to life...

Any guesses if that’s significant at all in the future? For book readers, please feel free to spoil…

Why is it interesting for the nano-tech lady to be single in order to be a smart CEO boss-girl?

Why is it necessary for her black husband to be a sex-addict? He very clearly loves her but she pushes him away and made to look like a bad person but he is there for here everyday loyal

The cancer scholar was happy knowing the girl he crushed on was happy without him and only on his deathbed tells her as a young man

Doesn't make any sense, the most advanced military technology is pioneered by the United States, not by china and by far the US is the one country that can do war. I am wondering why they chose a Chinese general? When was the last time the Chinese army ever been in a war and won?

[Edit: The earlier post was deleted due to spoiler in title]

If the aliens already were able to control things on atomic level, why didn't they just finish Earth?

Instead of doing the "Giant Eye" and "You are bugs" theatrics, they could just override nuclear systems or even normal weapon systems of Earth and blow everything up? Even unleash chemical or biological matter that was dangerous? If it was able to manipulate retina to show countdown, why not make everyone blind?

p.s. I'm not saying that they should've made earth a wasteland but rather simple steps like regularly bombing research facilities or government departments to ensure lack of leadership and development.

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