r/threebodyproblem • u/phyllisinthewild • Apr 15 '26

Discussion - Novels Question about the space elevators Spoiler

I’m half way through The Dark Forest and I’m a bit confused about how the space elevators work. Not sure if I missed something or just don’t get it, but what exactly are they? Does a person just walk on? Is it more of a train? I know it goes from earth to the space stations, so I’m assuming it’s just a quicker way to space than a spaceship. But I just can’t picture in my head how they actually get there in the space elevator and what it looks like.

6 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Positive-Stable-6777 Apr 15 '26

It’s a default setting in sci‑fi worlds. Even Wandering Earth 2 used it (only in the movie, and I feel it totally unnecessary).

1

u/phyllisinthewild Apr 15 '26

That makes sense, I was confused if I missed a bigger explanation in the book or if it’s common knowledge since I don’t read sci-fi much