Precipice: When Algorithms Triumphed

by Scott A. Bollens

In 2032, interconnect, an advanced artificial intelligence supercomputer, emerges as a beacon of hope for humanity, promising a utopian future guided by flawless algorithms and 24/7 connectivity to citizens.

Jared Rohde, a disillusioned academic seeking meaning, witnesses the disturbing rise of algorithmic control over human behavior. Torn between two realities, Jared experiences psychic turmoil as he's drawn into a machine-curated world fostering narratives of hate and division.

Meeting a diverse group of "organic" resisters, Jared learns of interconnect's diabolical methods, orchestrated by a power-hungry President and human surrogates. Together, they strive to disrupt the machine's dark influence and its catastrophic impact on humanity.

Discovering a potential space within the curated reality that elevates human consciousness, Jared becomes a crusader despite his own struggles with psychosis and split-reality experiences. In his quest for truth and hope, Jared confronts the daunting challenge of breaking free from interconnect's grip on society.

When Algorithms Triumphed offers a compelling and unsettling 20-year journey exploring the consequences of humanity's deepening reliance on artificial intelligence.

352 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2024

About the author

I am a retired Professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy, University of California, Irvine. For 25 years, I studied urbanism and political conflict in contested cities throughout the world.

In 2021, thanks to the pandemic and our political dysfunction, I morphed into an urban dystopian novelist. The trilogy below presents a near future that will be both eerily familiar but also disturbing, an anthropological narrative of the effects of algorithmic sorting, of social engineering gone awry.

The trilogy portrays a compelling and unsettling 30-year journey exploring the consequences of humanity's deepening reliance on artificial intelligence.

In ReStart: Stories of the Cairn Age (Atmosphere Press, 2021), a re-programmed investigator seeks to uncover the possibilities for independent human thinking after decades of humankind's addiction to a dominating computer network. This computer network wreaked havoc in society by redefining geographies, segregating populations, and creating catastrophic wars between computer-defined groups.

The sequel ReForm: Combating the Algorithmic Mutation (2023) follows a small group of dissidents that constitute the sole challenge to the machine’s ever-mutating reach into the human mind. It is inspired by my actual research encounters and by over 850 miles trudging the Pacific Crest Trail.

Now comes Precipice: When Algorithms Triumphed (2024), a look back in time to 2032 when Artificial Intelligence first started to change human beliefs and behaviors in detrimental ways never thought possible.

Reviews

[Kiarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Algorithms Triumphed is one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the final page. Scott Bollens doesn’t just create a dystopian world, he builds a chilling mirror of our own. Interconnect starts as a beacon of promise, and the gradual shift into control is executed with masterful pacing. Jared’s internal conflict, caught between what’s real, what’s curated, and what might be the product of his own fractured mind, is incredibly immersive.
The chapters detailing the rise of the machine curated hate narratives” were some of the most unsettling fiction I’ve ever read. Yet the book balances its darkness with hope through the resisters, who remind us that humanity can still outshine manipulation. Truly brilliant and haunting.

[Zoey Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is more than just futuristic suspense, it’s deeply human. Jared Rohde’s psychological journey is layered, messy, and painfully believable. The way Bollens portrays the tug of war between human intuition and algorithmic dominance is powerful.
I especially loved the chapters exploring the hidden consciousness space inside the digital framework, a concept that felt both mystical and scientific at the same time. The political manipulation behind interconnect, led by a President hungry for power, added a sharp, realistic edge. By the end, I felt both alarmed and oddly hopeful. This is easily one of the most thought provoking AI novels I’ve ever read.

[Madison Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the strongest aspects of this book is its scope. Bollens takes readers across two decades of technological evolution, societal decay, and moral questioning, all seen through the eyes of a protagonist who can barely trust his own mind.
The way interconnect infiltrates everyday life felt painfully plausible, from subtle behavioral nudges to outright manipulation. The resisters’ strategy sessions, the hidden digital pockets of consciousness, the unraveling of the President’s agenda, every chapter deepens the world and the stakes.
If you enjoy dystopian epics that are intelligent, emotional, and bold in their ideas, this book is a must read.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel managed to hit every note I love eerie world building, tense political maneuvering, and deep psychological introspection. Jared’s struggle with psychosis and split reality is written with respect and nuance.
What impressed me most was how Bollens blends philosophical questions with action. The scenes where Jared tries to anchor himself in the real world while interconnect’s curated reality tugs at him were gripping. The emotional moments shared with the organic resisters grounded the story beautifully.
It’s a rare thing to find a sci fi thriller that makes you question your own perceptions, but this one does exactly that.

[Bennet Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like it was written for our exact moment in time. The over reliance on technology, the seductive promise of a perfect system, the subtle creep of algorithmic influence, it all rings disturbingly true.
What sets this story apart is the emotional depth. Jared’s transformation from a lost academic to a reluctant hero feels organic and powerful. His exploration of the inner digital consciousness realm was one of the most fascinating ideas in contemporary scifi.
The ending carries a message of resilience that lifts the whole narrative. I’ll be recommending this to anyone who enjoys intelligent dystopian fiction.

[David Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book summary presents a gripping exploration of human agency versus the overwhelming power of algorithmic control. Jared’s journey from a disillusioned academic to a courageous crusader against a machine-dominated world is both haunting and inspiring. The theme of technology eroding human autonomy feels all too real, making it a poignant reflection on our current trajectory.

[Daniel Precott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book paints a chilling yet believable picture of what happens when humanity's dependence on AI spirals out of control. The character of Jared is incredibly relatable, and his internal struggles kept me hooked. A must-read for anyone curious about the risks of unchecked technology.

[Emily Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down! The story blends thought-provoking ideas about artificial intelligence with a fast-paced narrative. Jared's journey from skeptic to hero is emotional and powerful. Highly recommended for fans of dystopian fiction.

[James Whitaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading When Algorithms Triumphed feels less like fiction and more like a warning. The portrayal of an AI-driven world controlled by manipulative leaders is both fascinating and terrifying. This book made me reflect on how much technology already shapes our lives.

[Sarah Dunlap · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of AI controlling society felt all too real. The tension builds brilliantly as Jared uncovers Interconnect's dark secrets. The "organic" resistance group brought a powerful message about human resilience. Highly thought-provoking.

[Annette Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterfully crafted dystopian thriller that feels eerily prophetic!

[Author Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chilling exploration of technology’s grip on society. This book kept me up at night!

[Saesthesd · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Al-driven sci-fi novels love ever read-hauntingly realistic and deeply thought-provoking.

[Scottevelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting! The exploration of human consciousness versus machine control kept me hooked from start to finish.

[Berg Dariela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid Al dystopian novel with a strong philosophical core. Some parts dragged a little, but the payoff was worth it.

[Dixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute page-turner! I couldn't put it down until l reached the last word.

[Leona Waitley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, mind-bending journey into the dangers of Al governance.

[Gallery Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jared's struggle felt so real, and the stakes couldn't have been higher.

[Daniel Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every page felt like a revelation, this book is game-changer for AI fiction!

[Bryan Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is stunning, the themes are profound, and the story is unforgettable.

[Steven Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those rare books that is both an entertaining thriller and a profound meditation on society.

[Tyler Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

l really wanted to like this, but it felt overly philosophical and slow.

[Julie Claude · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concept is interesting, but the execution was lacking. The characters didn't feel real to me

[Angela Barfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled to stay engaged. Some interesting ideas, but the story felt secondary to the themes.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting premise but slow pacing in the middle.
The philosophy sometimes overshadowed the plot.

[Ashley Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bold and unsettling vision of the future that feels shockingly plausible.

[David Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kind of book that demands discussion, it’s impossible to read and not be moved.

[Lucia Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love books that make you think long after you’ve turned the last page, this one is for you. It brilliantly examines the consequences of algorithmic governance."

[Emmanuel Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had potential, but l found the narrative too convoluted to fully enjoy

[Anna Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prefect mix of action, philosophy, and psychological depth. Loved every second of it.