I don't think it's easily fixable, but I don't think the author's advice to embrace office politics is very good advice for most people, because it isn't easily

I don't think it's easily fixable, but I don't think the author's advice to embrace office politics is very good advice for most people, because it isn't easily fixable, and if you're low on the org chart and don't have much influence, the primary kind of politics you can reasonably engage in is at that level. One fix for the seating chart problem is to do away with seating charts - give everyone a laptop and equip all the desks with identical equipment, and let people sit where they want. This has costs and other downsides, but seating chart politics isn't a problem anymore. But if you're someone who has an assigned seat, you don't even have access to the political relationships to advocate for that change, so your only options are to A) not play politics and roll the dice, or B) find out how to make the people who determine seating charts like you. The only available politics in this situation are toxic politics, so "embrace politics" is inherently toxic advice. Opting out of the politics game is a rational option for the many people who just want to get their work done and go home.