Big Sort, The: Why The Clustering Of Like-Minded American Is Tearing Us Apart (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
the author's theory is that americans are sorting themselves into ever increasingly homogenous groups so that most people live in a sort of echo chamber that reinforces their own political and religious beliefs and can not comprehend that there is a vast scope of others who genuinely believe differently than they do. i think he gives too much credence to the theory that people can actively choose where they live, but the general principle is fascinating. FWIW I thought this was a really important idea - the notion that our current political polarization is tied to a self-sorting into political and cultural "tribes" that has taken place in the last twenty-five / thirty years or so. The sorting is not just virtual but also geographic - people physically move to communities that reflect their own values and cultural tastes. There is no question that folks are searching for belonging, and that they are "digging in" to like-minded communities. All kinds of implications for local government administrators, although the prognosis is not that cheery. Does seem like a continued thought going back to Habits of the Heart and other works that have chronicled the decline of community and the rise of individualism in America for the last generation. It doesn't sound too good for our democracy. But, the Good Lord is wise and the sun will rise in the east, and if we all remember to bring buckets of grace, peace, and a willingness to compromise with each other to our political discourse, we'll move forward as communities.The book is very good, but did drag a little bit at the end as the central idea was already conveyed and argued persuasively. Still, I'm going to share with my friends - even if you don't hang on every word, the idea is just so important.Peace everyone
What do You think about Big Sort, The: Why The Clustering Of Like-Minded American Is Tearing Us Apart (2013)?
Good book on some of the underlying causes of political and personal polarization in America.
—anjoos21
Wonderful, insightful book on our close-minded, divisive political lives. Kudos, Bill Bishop.
—sutucon_48
Awesome. Explains why we are so divided politically as a nation.
—Nathan
