What is Parable of the Polygons?
Parable of the Polygons is an interactive essay starring cute yellow triangles and blue squares. Each shape is only slightly picky about its neighbours, yet when you drag unhappy shapes around the board, the whole society quickly splits into separate groups.
Created by Vi Hart and Nicky Case, it turns a famous idea from economics into a hands on toy. You run simulations, adjust the shapes' preferences and see what it takes to undo the divide. It is short, clever and available in many languages, which is why teachers love sharing it.
Main Features
- Drag and drop unhappy shapes to new spots
- Watch a society of shapes split into groups by itself
- Run automatic simulations and track segregation on a graph
- Adjust how picky the shapes are and see the results
- Read the story in many different languages
- Finish it in about 15 minutes
How to Get Started with Parable of the Polygons
- Open ncase.me/polygons in your browser.
- Read along and drag the unhappy shapes to empty spots.
- Run the simulations further down the page and watch the graph.
- Play with the sliders to see how small changes affect the outcome.
Parable of the Polygons Pricing
It is completely free and released into the public domain, so anyone can play and share it.
Who Should Use It?
- Teachers and students in social studies
- Fans of explorable explanations
- Readers curious about how bias spreads
- Workshop and training leaders
- Anyone who liked The Evolution of Trust
Parable of the Polygons Alternatives
- The Evolution of Trust: another playable story by Nicky Case about game theory
- Absurd Trolley Problems: think through silly moral dilemmas
- Size of Life: an interactive journey through living things big and small
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parable of the Polygons free?
Yes. Parable of the Polygons is completely free to play in the browser, with no sign-up or ads. The creators released it into the public domain, so you can share it with classes or friends freely.
What does Parable of the Polygons teach?
It shows how a small personal bias, like wanting a few neighbours who are similar to you, can add up to a strongly divided society. It also shows that actively seeking a mix is what reverses the split.
How long does Parable of the Polygons take?
Most people finish it in around ten to fifteen minutes. You can go faster or spend longer experimenting with the simulations and sliders, and it works on both computers and tablets.