The Big Sort

The most frightening book I've read in years. Too depressing to read; too well-written and informative to put down. Nearly every page had information or insights that were new to me: did you know that Eisenhower was courted by both Republican and Democrat parties? That churches in the 1960s/70s started getting socially responsible... and lost members as a consequence?

If you've studied electronics you know what a positive feedback loop is... and you know that it is a Very Bad Thing. That's what's happening in the US. We're using our mobility to sort ourselves into like-minded communities. No contact with opposing viewpoints. This leads to further polarization. And then we remember that this book was written six years ago and we weep.

The cost of this polarization is appalling: communities feeding on and perpetuating ignorance. When you don't know or interact with different-minded folks, everything becomes more black and white. Less nuanced. No room for moderates or thought or wisdom. And that's tragic.

And then there's the churches (and certain political parties). For all their science-denying, they're pretty astute in how they use big data and psychological/neurological techniques to manipulate people. Combine this with Haidt's findings on morality (i.e. the Obedience To Authority that rules too many peoples' minds) and we have a very grim forecast indeed.

Read this. It's six years old but still—no, even more—relevant today. Well researched, well written, and engaging despite its message.