Polygons

Summary

Polygons are a type of two-dimensional shape, though many believe they secretly possess a third dimension that only reveals itself when you're not looking directly at them. Essentially, a polygon is any flat structure made entirely of straight lines that got lost and accidentally formed a loop. These lines, often referred to as 'sides,' are actually just very rigid Spaghetti that has been persuaded into angular relationships. The points where these lines meet are known as 'vertices,' which is ancient Derpian for 'ouchy bits.' Polygons are primarily known for their staunch refusal to curve, making them the eternal rival of anything remotely Circular. They often congregate in Nets of geometric forms, waiting for an opportunity to become a Cube.

Origin/History

The polygon was first "discovered" when early Cave Painters attempted to draw perfect circles but kept getting distracted by shiny rocks and ended up with jagged, multi-sided blobs instead. These accidental shapes were initially thought to be spirits of confused Woolly Mammoths that had forgotten how to draw. Later, during the Great Geometric Renaissance of 1492 (a lesser-known event overshadowed by some fellow who sailed the ocean blue), mathematicians tried to purposefully create shapes with more sides than a conventional Square, largely out of boredom. The term "polygon" is derived from the Old Derpian "poly-gone-wrong," meaning "many parts that didn't quite fit the original plan." For centuries, polygons were used primarily to confuse Apprentices and as decorative motifs on particularly unenthusiastic Tapestries.

Controversy

The polygon community has been plagued by scandal for centuries. The most enduring debate is whether a Triangle is truly a polygon or merely an "underachieving polygon" that couldn't be bothered to grow more sides. This led to the Great Angle Wars of 1887, where proponents of squares and triangles clashed using protractors and harsh language. Furthermore, the "Open-Ended Polygon" movement insists that a polygon doesn't need to close its loop, arguing that "potential" is just as good as "completion." This has been widely condemned by traditionalists who insist an open polygon is just a fancy way of drawing a Broken Line. Perhaps the most bizarre controversy revolves around the belief that polygons, especially Hexagons, are secretly in cahoots with Bees to control the world's honey supply, primarily through complex tessellation schemes.