Three Option Theory: Deconditioning Duopoly

Always imagine three options before acting.

Three option theory is a single sentence to help expand imagination in times of need. Always imagine three options before acting. It’s not a practice for every task, just the ones that require it. Concise and straightforward, it can reveal hidden truths — if you can remember to use it.

At any given moment, there are more options available than we understand. Some may be unconventional, going against traditional understanding and knowledge. Others hidden in plain sight. Few will be ideal, and many will disappoint, but they exist. The defining factor of universal humanity is our ability to transcend circumstances. We would benefit significantly by infusing this knowledge in the hearts and minds of our people.

Many of us already practice it in our personal lives. When faced with two bad options, it’s not uncommon to work at developing a third. The fourth, fifth, and sixth alternatives all follow the three option theory as well. We practice compromise with our friends, partners, and co-workers — looking for situations that create the maximum benefit for all parties involved.

So why is that our social and legal organization doesn’t subscribe to the same model? Through our interactions with social arrangements, we all experience situations that offer no alternatives where options exist. It’s no accident. These institutions come in many forms. They primarily function to self-preserve — ensuring…