”'A deep dive into the depressing world of grifters, bullsh*t artists, plagiarists and long con experts turbocharged by the Internet-and what, if anything, separates those scammers from some of our most respected captains of industry. “Juicy, sharp, savage and wildly entertaining” – Cat Marnell, New York Times-bestselling author of How to Murder Your Life 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. 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?ĭrawing 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. Reviewers and celebrities flock to London’s top-rated restaurant that’s little more than a backyard shed. Respected investors pour millions into a start-up centered around fake blood tests. A charismatic entrepreneur sells thousands of tickets to a festival that never happened. We live in an age where scams are the new normal. “Scams are hot right now, and Bluestone covers the hottest here.” – Booklist 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.

Hype gabrielle bluestone