When all routes are exceptional The exploration of non-Hermitian physics and parity-time symmetry have provided a route to develop a wealth of exotic physical effects. In such dissipative systems, the balance of gain and loss of the system lead to what are called exceptional points, or “sweet spots,” which relate to optimal device operation or material properties. The ability to tune the gain and loss over a range of system properties leads to exceptional arcs. Tang et al. show that systems can be designed in which the tuning of multiple parameters leads to a crossroads, or nexus, of exceptional arcs. Illustrating the effect in an acoustic system, the same properties should be attainable over various types of dissipative systems and thus provide a versatile route to fine-tune optimal performance of materials and devices. Science , this issue p. 1077