From Vice journalist and executive producer of hit Netflix documentary Fyre comes an eye-opening look at the con artists, grifters and snake oil salesmen of the digital age—and why we can’t stop falling for them. "Scams are hot right now, and Bluestone covers the hottest here." – Booklist We live in an age where scams are the new normal. A charismatic entrepreneur sells thousands of tickets to a festival that never happened. Respected investors pour millions into a start-up centered around fake blood tests. Reviewers and celebrities flock to London’s top-rated restaurant that’s little more than a backyard shed. These unsettling stories of today’s viral grifters have risen to fame and hit the front-page headlines, yet the curious conundrum remains: Why do these scams happen?Drawing from scientific research, marketing campaigns, and exclusive documents and interviews, Vice reporter Gabrielle Bluestone delves into the irresistible hype that fuels our social media ecosystem, whether it’s from the trusted influencers that peddled Fyre or the consumer reviews that sold Juicero. A cultural examination that is as revelatory as it is relevant, Hype pulls back the curtain on the manipulation game behind the never-ending scam season—and how we as consumers can stop getting played.“Juicy, sharp, savage and wildly entertaining” – Cat Marnell, New York Times-bestselling author of How to Murder Your LifeIn HYPE, Gabrielle Bluestone delves into the world of deceptions and hoaxes, exploring the criminology behind the popular culture of scams. The book is a deep dive into the moral and ethical implications of these crimes, shedding light on the insolvency and bankruptcy that often follow.For fans of Dan Mccrum (Money Men), Neil Forsyth (The Gold), Jamie Bartlett (The Missing Cryptoqueen), Rachel Deloache Williams (My Friend Anna), and James Comey (Saving Justice).
