What do you think?
Rate this book
Social Code
The Online Game to Kill All Online Games
… and Your Neighbor
Welcome to Social Code, the online game where your deepest social and spiritual needs are creatively fulfilled and your preferences are monitored for your own advancement.
The story follows Doby, a curious and resourceful software engineer as he enters into this virtual world that rapidly invades his computer and takes over his life.
The game introduces Doby to Lynnette, a sensual and shockingly intuitive character who seems to transcend her virtual identity in her interactions with him. But when Doby catches on to the devious design of the game hinging on the domination of its players, he resists the cult-like world and struggles to stay alive.
… and Your Neighbor
Welcome to Social Code, the online game where your deepest social and spiritual needs are creatively fulfilled and your preferences are monitored for your own advancement.
The story follows Doby, a curious and resourceful software engineer as he enters into this virtual world that rapidly invades his computer and takes over his life.
The game introduces Doby to Lynnette, a sensual and shockingly intuitive character who seems to transcend her virtual identity in her interactions with him. But when Doby catches on to the devious design of the game hinging on the domination of its players, he resists the cult-like world and struggles to stay alive.
174 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2004
13 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Cass Tell
32 books22 followersCass Tell is the pen name of an author of suspense action/thriller novels. The plots of his novels often contain underlying thought-provoking themes of love, culture, religion and worldview.
His adrenalin-driven stories contain bait-and-hook plots filled with intrigue and emotional resonance. The main characters in his books tend to be somewhat broken souls struggling against insurmountable forces. Staged in fascinating international settings, his novels always leave an after-thought and provide a unique reading experience.
Cass Tell does not want to be in public light, guards his privacy and avoids disclosing his true identity. He does most of his writing from a small village on the Costa Brava in Spain. When he is not writing he travels the world. His novels tend to be set in international settings, and he has visited most places that appear in his novels.
Cass Tell’s parents were from Europe but he spent some years attending school in the western part of the United States. After graduating from university he worked for large corporations and then started and sold a company which allowed him some financial independence. Wanting to explore other avenues, he left the business world to reflect on bigger issues and fulfil his passion for writing fiction.
His adrenalin-driven stories contain bait-and-hook plots filled with intrigue and emotional resonance. The main characters in his books tend to be somewhat broken souls struggling against insurmountable forces. Staged in fascinating international settings, his novels always leave an after-thought and provide a unique reading experience.
Cass Tell does not want to be in public light, guards his privacy and avoids disclosing his true identity. He does most of his writing from a small village on the Costa Brava in Spain. When he is not writing he travels the world. His novels tend to be set in international settings, and he has visited most places that appear in his novels.
Cass Tell’s parents were from Europe but he spent some years attending school in the western part of the United States. After graduating from university he worked for large corporations and then started and sold a company which allowed him some financial independence. Wanting to explore other avenues, he left the business world to reflect on bigger issues and fulfil his passion for writing fiction.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 13, 2013
This cass tell book is about a computer game called social code, which is making the player dependent through beautiful women and mind-controlling tasks to achieve. Doby, the main character, is getting sucked into the game like others, but with his exceptional computer skills he is able to get more insights and in searching the truth, he is exposing the people behind the game. In meeting his virtual character lynette in person, he turns the game around and the plot thickens as he is unmasking the evil guy behind the game….
I like how the book is reflecting on the issue of virtual reality and about the danger of a “second life” identity, which can be a temptation for lonely computer-nerds, losing themselves in an illusion and becoming more and more antisocial and even a threat for society.
Doby is finally ending up with his virtual woman in reality, which is a pleasant happy end to the story ☺ very thrilling and entertaining!
I also liked that the whole story started with pop up ads and finished with the defeat over pop up ads, because I hate pop up ads!
I like how the book is reflecting on the issue of virtual reality and about the danger of a “second life” identity, which can be a temptation for lonely computer-nerds, losing themselves in an illusion and becoming more and more antisocial and even a threat for society.
Doby is finally ending up with his virtual woman in reality, which is a pleasant happy end to the story ☺ very thrilling and entertaining!
I also liked that the whole story started with pop up ads and finished with the defeat over pop up ads, because I hate pop up ads!
March 18, 2013
After reading this book, I can't help but wonder, why do people always want to take over the world? I guess the power and fame can be quite tempting, but with that comes responsibility and danger. Not only that, but how long would it take to convince everyone, even with brainwashing, to accept you as their almighty leader and not try to kill you. Plus, having a real relationship with someone would most definitely be out of question. It just seems like a unpleasant life to live. Now, I shall get on topic.
I will say that this book was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting it to be bad or anything, but it did exceed my original expectations. The story itself, using technology to brainwash players, seems vaguely familiar to me, although I cannot recall where else I've seen/heard it. That itself wasn't too big of a deal, since Tell did a really great job of making it his own.
The characters involved in the story, although few, each were interesting in their own ways while being, I guess, "realistic." Sometimes, however, their actions left me questioning their motives. For example, when Bart always leaves the room before the punishments are inflicted. Does he dislike violence or blood? Why does he place so much trust in letting others do those important "trials" that he delivers the sentence upon? It seems kind of stupid to me.
What about Angelica, the "seductive" virtual girl? At the very beginning of the book, the prologue to be exact, it mentions that the girl looks no older than 15 years old. Yet, this girl is slowly "stripping" in front of thousands of men that play this game. Was this girl only shown to pedophiles? Regardless, I find it odd that one of the two girls in the game was underage. Speaking of the virtual girls, How did they decide who shows up for who?
Those faults are indeed minor, but to someone who just absolutely loves the minor details, they are important to me. Speaking of details, the one thing I found that the book was majorly lacking was explanations. For example...
So with all this being said, I give it a 4/5 stars (although I would do 9/10 if that were an option). I would also like to say that I would recommend it to... well... everyone that reads. As mentioned by others, gamers, such as myself, would probably get the most enjoyment from it.
I will say that this book was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting it to be bad or anything, but it did exceed my original expectations. The story itself, using technology to brainwash players, seems vaguely familiar to me, although I cannot recall where else I've seen/heard it. That itself wasn't too big of a deal, since Tell did a really great job of making it his own.
The characters involved in the story, although few, each were interesting in their own ways while being, I guess, "realistic." Sometimes, however, their actions left me questioning their motives. For example, when Bart always leaves the room before the punishments are inflicted. Does he dislike violence or blood? Why does he place so much trust in letting others do those important "trials" that he delivers the sentence upon? It seems kind of stupid to me.
What about Angelica, the "seductive" virtual girl? At the very beginning of the book, the prologue to be exact, it mentions that the girl looks no older than 15 years old. Yet, this girl is slowly "stripping" in front of thousands of men that play this game. Was this girl only shown to pedophiles? Regardless, I find it odd that one of the two girls in the game was underage. Speaking of the virtual girls, How did they decide who shows up for who?
Those faults are indeed minor, but to someone who just absolutely loves the minor details, they are important to me. Speaking of details, the one thing I found that the book was majorly lacking was explanations. For example...
So with all this being said, I give it a 4/5 stars (although I would do 9/10 if that were an option). I would also like to say that I would recommend it to... well... everyone that reads. As mentioned by others, gamers, such as myself, would probably get the most enjoyment from it.
May 4, 2013
FULL REVIEW (SLIGHT SPOILERS)
Social Code is a snappy, plot-driven novel that, like its protagonist, works hard to keep pace with rapidly changing twists and technologies. Doby, a programmer with too much time and talent on his hands, discovers an online game that promises healthy helpings of sex and violence. Hungry for more, Doby dives in but finds that the game is made to achieve a larger goal--to immerse its users and mold them into pawns in a sinister plot.
This premise worked really well for me. Doby is thoughtful and reckless, a great problem-solver with a curiosity built for danger. He can't buy in to Social Code; however, other characters can. They become radicalized and ready to fulfill the game's initiatives. Conflict Doby, the pawns, and the game's inventor is inevitable. Its resolution satisfies. I can't say the same for the romantic sidestory, but you can be the judge of that.
The novel, like the game, has big ideas in mind. It explores the dangers of technological immersion, especially as it relates to religious radicalism. That's devastatingly relevant. If you're interested in the interplay between religion and the online world--and how those two potent forces will shape modern culture--this book will provide good discussion/speculation and, in the end, propose some surprising solutions.
Social Code is a snappy, plot-driven novel that, like its protagonist, works hard to keep pace with rapidly changing twists and technologies. Doby, a programmer with too much time and talent on his hands, discovers an online game that promises healthy helpings of sex and violence. Hungry for more, Doby dives in but finds that the game is made to achieve a larger goal--to immerse its users and mold them into pawns in a sinister plot.
This premise worked really well for me. Doby is thoughtful and reckless, a great problem-solver with a curiosity built for danger. He can't buy in to Social Code; however, other characters can. They become radicalized and ready to fulfill the game's initiatives. Conflict Doby, the pawns, and the game's inventor is inevitable. Its resolution satisfies. I can't say the same for the romantic sidestory, but you can be the judge of that.
The novel, like the game, has big ideas in mind. It explores the dangers of technological immersion, especially as it relates to religious radicalism. That's devastatingly relevant. If you're interested in the interplay between religion and the online world--and how those two potent forces will shape modern culture--this book will provide good discussion/speculation and, in the end, propose some surprising solutions.
March 12, 2013
An excellent book! A great story that can be viewed in two ways. This is a great techno-thriller in which modern information technology is presented as a useful tool that can help save someone's life or to be a powerful tool for the manipulation with the human mind. However, this story has another much deeper dimension that Cass Tell spontaneously controls through the book. Reading Social Code one fact is very important - why we, humans, can be so easily influenced? The author explains psychological and technological methods to detect human weaknesses and ways to manipulate them. But what always surprises me is the deep human urge for power and control of other people. This is exactly what underlies this exciting book that I highly recommend to everyone, especially for the passionate fans of video games.
April 17, 2008
One billion websurfers; beware of the Social Code Society!
Doby, a curious and resourceful software engineer, plays an online computer game that rapidly invades his computer and his life.
After encountering a sensual virtual character, and discovering the game’s nefarious intentions of dominating its players, he attempts to keep from being sucked into the game . . . and to stay alive.
This speedy and suspenseful book presents the reality of an internet world where one’s personal preferences are monitored for marketing purposes, and as a means to dominate and control. It is imperative that you understand this power; otherwise you may unwillingly become part of the ‘Social Code Society’. Social Code: "The rules are good."
Doby, a curious and resourceful software engineer, plays an online computer game that rapidly invades his computer and his life.
After encountering a sensual virtual character, and discovering the game’s nefarious intentions of dominating its players, he attempts to keep from being sucked into the game . . . and to stay alive.
This speedy and suspenseful book presents the reality of an internet world where one’s personal preferences are monitored for marketing purposes, and as a means to dominate and control. It is imperative that you understand this power; otherwise you may unwillingly become part of the ‘Social Code Society’. Social Code: "The rules are good."
June 27, 2013
I like the concept.. Its very novel and real stretch of imagination by depicting capability for creation of virtual world through power of internet. Its good read.
However, it couldn't exceed my expectations from a good book as i felt the depth of the subject was neither exploited to the fullest nor articulated at its best. The reading was going very flat without any stint of excitement and suprise while the subject was so strong and capable for the same.
However, it couldn't exceed my expectations from a good book as i felt the depth of the subject was neither exploited to the fullest nor articulated at its best. The reading was going very flat without any stint of excitement and suprise while the subject was so strong and capable for the same.
April 5, 2013
Though this was a quick read, I enjoyed it immensely. It was action pact from the start, and though the characters could not be described as deep I did find them amusing. If you are looking for a nice, fast read this is one I would recommend this!
Read
March 15, 2013Social Code is a novel about online game players who become charmed by seductive virtual characters, and then their lives end up being controlled. The story is about a computer hacker who plays an online game and he confronts the evil forces behind the game. While the story is about the power of the Internet, underneath it is about how mind controlling religions and cults work. It shows how they will do anything to gain power, even to put one of their minions into the highest political positions.
Read this book and you will be much more selective in who you vote for as President. It is a book with a fast paced plot that will keep you thinking even when you are finished with the book.
Read this book and you will be much more selective in who you vote for as President. It is a book with a fast paced plot that will keep you thinking even when you are finished with the book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews