Scamageddon

The Grand Unified Theory of Why Our World Sucks - and How to Stop the Suck

Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
402 Pages
Reviewed on 05/12/2024
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Author Biography

Mykl Davis is a passionate computer scientist spending over 50 years modeling complex problems as a consultant for the U.S. Government, large enterprise corporations, and innumerable start-ups. He became upset with what technology was apparently doing to the world, and his research shifted focus from software empowering humans to software that protects them. Stumbling upon a model of “bad actors using social networks to prey on people,” applicable to many other organizations experiencing similar problems, he now writes about how to protect us, and the world, from bad actors.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Scamageddon: The Grand Unified Theory of Why Our World Sucks – and How to Stop the Suck by Mykl Davis is an attempt to alert us of the pernicious path to destruction that we are all on. The author, as a computer technician, uses social media and the internet, in general, to point out how we have allowed ourselves to be manipulated into despising and hating each other and each other’s point of view. He points out that it is not the Conservatives, the Democrats, or the Liberals that are doing the manipulating; the manipulators cross all political spectrums. We are being manipulated by a group he chooses to call the Predators. The author points out that predators in one shape or another have existed throughout millennia of human existence and are the very reason we have banded together to form civil societies and created rules to control and eliminate their behavior. What he is postulating is that social media and the internet, both of which were promulgated with the most benign and altruistic intentions, are now being used as powerful tools by the Predators to turn us against each other. All the Predators want is power, wealth, and status, with no concern for the havoc they cause the rest of humanity.

Scamageddon is a fascinating read. It articulates many of the feelings that the vast majority of us have, especially about social media and the effect it is having on our beliefs and actions. Author Mykl Davis has been intimately involved in the work of creating these platforms and speaks with some authority about how the initial good intentions of the platforms have been weaponized by the Predators. What I particularly like is that the book goes through the full gamut of how we ended up in this perilous position. The one common denominator in all of human history is the Predator and what the internet and social media have been able to do is supercharge the Predators' reach, power, and influence. The author identifies how these predators capture those in our society who are not able to think critically and then exponentially increase their reach and influence by utilizing these mindless drones to spread their disinformation, lies, and conspiracy theories. It is chilling to realize that this polarization of society is only going to get worse as Artificial Intelligence gains a great hold on the internet and social media. The author suggests this is not inevitable and offers practical ways in which those of us tired of being manipulated can fight back against the Predators. This is an eye-opening and thought-provoking book that should be on everyone’s must-read list. Highly recommended.

Foluso Falaye

Our generation seems to be dealing with a plethora of challenges: income disparity, school massacres, racism, transphobia, and more. In Scamageddon, Mykl Davis makes a case for recognizing the negative influence of the rich and powerful and standing against their schemes. The book not only proves that very wealthy predators are behind the world's glaring chaos; it also explains how they use old methods with modern technologies to accomplish their goals. Mykl convinces us to make an effort to prevent wealthy, powerful predators from preying upon us while staying true to our sense of morality and ethics. Their false narratives are studied extensively, revealing different forms of scams, including economic and movement scams, and conspiracies. Also, various solutions are offered to take back our freedom and change the narratives that keep the predators in power.

What a book! Scamageddon is filled with enough convincing arguments and logical conclusions to convert most doubters into believers and even advocates. I completely agree with Mykl Davis that we're sold narratives that slowly creep into our minds through social media without our conscious consent. The book's abundant profound messages are delivered efficiently, with charts, lists, hypothetical conversations, and other reader-friendly elements. Furthermore, Scamageddon covers several thought-provoking subjects and themes, including politics, psychology, economics, technology, morality, unity, power, and more. Read this book if you seek logical solutions to our worsening societal problems. Davis is one of the few who are aware of the secret agendas and doing something about it. The book's brilliant blend of smart irony, stinging truths, and inspiring words is the catalyst we need to start acting and take back power from those who wield it against us.

K.C. Finn

Scamageddon: The Grand Unified Theory of Why Our World Sucks - and How to Stop the Suck is a work of non-fiction in the government, politics, satire, and motivational writing genres. The work is best suited to mature adult readers owing to the use of strong language throughout. Penned by author Mykl Davis, this engaging book offers a scathing critique of the current state of the world, attributing its woes to the actions of extremely wealthy and powerful individuals. Davis argues that these individuals, with their insatiable pursuit of wealth and power, have rigged cultural, economic, and political systems in their favor, leaving the rest of humanity to suffer the consequences. He emphasizes that the solution lies in challenging and resisting these power structures, urging readers to harness the power of the internet to effect change and create the world they desire.

Author Mykl Davis takes a confident stance to craft a thought-provoking work filled with compelling and impassioned arguments, shedding light on the systemic injustices perpetuated by the wealthy and powerful elite. His blunt and unapologetic approach forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the state of our society and the dire consequences of unchecked greed and exploitation. The narrative voice is engaging and witty, with strong lexical choices to motivate readers. Despite the bleak picture painted by Davis, his message of empowerment through collective action resonates strongly, offering hope for a better future. The call to utilize the internet as a tool for activism and social change is particularly inspiring, reminding readers of their potential to reshape the world for the better. The work is organized well for readers to refer back to key moments to feel inspired again. Overall, Scamageddon is a rallying cry for justice and accountability that I would certainly recommend to politically engaged people everywhere.

Asher Syed

Scamageddon by Mykl Davis is a non-fiction sociology book that looks at how certain people, called "Predators," harm society to enrich themselves with money, power, and all the privileges that come with it. Davis explains how they do it, like spreading lies and using technology to harm others. He shows how predators thrive and profit from disparity and chaos, hurting everyone else. Davis offers ways to fight back, like challenging predatory behavior and creating fairer systems. He argues for unity and positive storytelling to curb and ultimately stop the harm along with other suggested practical steps, such as taking a stance on rejection of greed and supporting others. He also has proposals to change areas of the internet, like verifying users to stop hate speech because predators will know it will be made public, with other calls for action to build a better, safer world for everyone.

In Scamageddon, Mykl Davis has a clear ability to present complex social topics with flair and accessibility. Davis has a knack for engaging readers, mostly because he comes across as the renegade cool guy you want to sit at your lunch table. The system is corrupt, predators are everywhere, and Davis is ready to do more than just talk about it. I'm a parent who agrees with Davis's critique of the lack of oversight and the growing predation of the internet and the social networks we are on for hours per day. Davis is sarcastic and funny and it gives a sharper bite in how he paints the greed, idiocy, and hypocrisy within the current top-down system, and in urging for increased accountability and regulation. What Davis points out very forcefully is that there is actually a high degree of intentionality in maintaining the crisis and it will take a collective, proactive move to dismantle it. Excellent book. Very highly recommended.

Jamie Michele

Scamageddon by Mykl Davis is a blunt analysis of societal dysfunction, focusing heavily on predatory behavior across the board. Davis speaks on the tactics employed by these individuals, ranging from emotional manipulation to dissemination of disinformation, all for personal gain at the expense of pretty much everybody else. Parallels to contagious diseases, animals, and organized crime are drawn and Davis gives readers models to conceptualize predatory behavior, then proposes strategies for resistance. Davis writes on the infiltration of social networks and communication technologies by predators and strongly advocates for zero tolerance and robust safeguards. A vision for a "Dreamocracy" to counter systemic predation is described, leaning into the power of positive narratives and collective action. Davis endorses deanonymizing the internet and grassroots activism as essential steps toward creating a more just and equitable society that's resistant to predatory influences.

Scamageddon by Mykl Davis tells us that predatory behavior is nothing new, showing us its historical evolution into its contemporary mold, tracing its roots from ancient times to the present day. I only really view this behavior through my older eyes, so it's interesting to read about how predators have adapted their tactics to exploit tech for psychological manipulation. I agree with Davis that we all have to unite against predatory forces and that absolute solidarity and collective resistance to combat systemic issues is the only way to achieve it. The writing is conversational and that makes even the more complicated points Davis brings up accessible to me and to others who aren't of a generation that grew up with technology as we see it today at our fingertips. I don't have the concerns others do about AI taking over our jobs, but scamming is a very real threat to me, especially where individuals can manipulate voices into those of people we love to extort money from the elderly. Davis provides predictions about future predatory tactics with AI that are both relevant and timely. Overall, this is an important read for anyone seeking to understand and confront predatory behavior in society...which should be everybody.