Parable of the Polygons is a short, playable essay about how large patterns can come from small choices. You get a grid of squares and triangles, each with a mild preference about the shapes around them, and you drag the unhappy ones to better spots. Watch what happens: even gentle preferences lead to big clusters of the same shape.
The idea is based on research by Thomas Schelling on segregation, and the page is clear about that. It uses the shapes to make the model friendly and keeps the explanation light, which makes a heavy subject easy to take in. It is also, as the description says, sobering.
The piece is credited to Vi Hart and Nicky Case and hosted at ncase.me. It takes about five minutes, but the idea will stick around longer. Good for classrooms, for curious adults, and for anyone who likes to see a simple model explain a complicated outcome.
Tips for getting the most out of it
- Drag the unhappy shapes yourself before reading on.
- Pay attention to how little preference it takes.
- Read the credits at the end of the page.
Questions about Parable of the Polygons
What is Parable of the Polygons?
It is an interactive essay where you move shapes around a grid and see how mild individual preferences can produce large-scale segregation. It is based on research by Thomas Schelling. You can find it at ncase.me, and odd-sites.com lists it as a five-minute visit.
Who made Parable of the Polygons?
It is credited to Vi Hart and Nicky Case, and is hosted at ncase.me. Check the page itself for the full credits. We check the link daily, so you can see whether it is still alive. It is free to open in a browser, with nothing to install.
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