This book was truly fascinating. The premise itself is simple - Americans are sorting themselves into like minded groups, often referred to by the author as "people like us". This sorting results in a lack of debate and causes a feedback loop which re-enforces beliefs and leads to polarization. This polarization in turn leads to a severe lack of tolerance for compromise.The author did a great job of going back through history and describing how the sort took place over time leading up to what we have seen in recent elections.As interesting as this is it's also sort of depressing as the consequences of this polarization are dangerous in terms of the limitations it imposes. How do we roll out of this problem and bring back healthy debate? Using sets of publicly available data the authors demonstrate how American has segregated itself into neighborhoods where everyone adheres to the same political principles. The lack of balanced positions on political issues within these neighborhoods has contributed to the toxic political landscape that now governs much of America's political landscape. Those who dare offer an opinion that is not completely inline with the surrounding majority is deemed un-American.This homogeneous collection of neighborhoods runs contrary to what America's founding fathers envisioned. They believed that only with diversity of thought and reasoned debate could the United States succeed as a nation.
A very good and thoughtful read during such a partisan and polarized election time.
—plumberry
Intriguing and yet somehow depressing to see how polarized we're getting.
—sam
Book for political science, geography, and planning geeks.
—xxviencaxx
Recommended by former President Bill Clintion
—Unceagles35
"Show them just enough to win the turkey."
—kez
