Bill Bishop (author)

Bill Bishop is an American author and journalist known for his work focusing on the increasing political and cultural polarization within the United States, particularly the phenomenon of people clustering into geographically and socially isolated communities sharing similar beliefs.

Bishop is best known for his 2008 book, The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America is Tearing Us Apart, co-authored with Robert Cushing. The Big Sort argues that Americans are increasingly choosing to live in communities populated by people who share their political views, lifestyles, and cultural preferences. This self-segregation, according to Bishop, exacerbates political polarization, reduces cross-cultural understanding, and undermines civic engagement. He posits that this "sorting" has significant implications for American society and politics.

Before writing The Big Sort, Bishop was a reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. He has also written and lectured extensively on topics related to community, political polarization, and rural issues.