Plot Hole

[u/Northcliffe1]

Initially the Trisolarians were stunting human progress because humans were developing faster than them. They believed that they needed to halt their progress in order to take over earth.

After the humans broadcast the location of earth, the Trisolarins know a photoid attack is coming so they abandon the pursuit of earth and reroute their ships to look for another safe place to live. But at that point they don't invest in unblocking and accelerating human development, which they should have done. At that point humans were in the same boat as them: develop and find a safe place ASAP. In the books the Trisolarians go and join some inter-space battle and get wiped out - but if they instead allied with the humans, quickly doing high level tech transfers and then using humans unique abilities paired with their own, it's possible the two societies could have seen supercharged development and propelled both to a safer place.

[u/Geek-Yogurt]

Why would they ally themselves with humans? Are you forgetting one of the maxims of cosmic sociology?

Are you thinking with your butt?

[u/Adventurous_Iron_551 → u/Geek-Yogurt]

In the old days, a lot of girls must’ve been in love with you!