JoinWith.Me: Deus Intra Machina (The God within the Machine) | Dystopian Fiction

by Mike Meier

Do you want to see the future?

Be careful what you ask for...

Overpopulation...

Pollution...

Declining resources.

The future is pre-ordained. But if you know it... maybe you can change it?

Who will open the door for all the others?

JoinWith.Me, based on the screenplay, is a dystopian thriller that explores timely questions: whether we control technology or it controls us; the singularity horizon where AI crosses the threshold into self-awareness; the enduring power of human connection; and the ultimate destiny of humankind.

385 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2020

About the author

Mike Meier grew up in a blue-collar housing project in Germany. On his own since his teens, he has lived in several different countries, including Argentina and Japan, and worked jobs such as washing dishes, repairing bicycles, and painting homes. When he's not writing books or screenplays, you'll find him playing Latin and Flamenco guitar in the Washington, DC area. He holds a Master's degree in political science, as well as a J.D. and LL.M. - P.S.: In case you are wondering about the photograph--Mike's grandfather was the 1930s magician Wladi-Kami.

Reviews

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thought provoking dystopian futuristic novel. It was well paced and kept my interest. I didn’t really care for the main character, but he was a good narrator for telling this story. I’m not sure I think this could exactly be our future but it definitely is the direction we are headed in as a society. Sam has never fit in and has joined the conveyer belt of society with a boring government job and his own crappy studio apartment. One day while surfing the internet he stumbles upon a website that changes his entire life. At first it seems like a helpful counseling website but the girl who has been talking to him starts to ask him to do things he does not feel comfortable with so he attempts to end his association but the girl tells him it’s his destiny to join with her. Sam goes to great lengths to avoid her but can you truly avoid all technology and cameras?

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"JoinWith.Me" is a fascinating book....part near-future realistic dystopia, part cautionary tale, and part plain old great storytelling. It explores themes like humanity's increasing dependence on technology, how technology can evolve and learn, and the resilience (or lack thereof) of the human spirit. In case that makes it sound like you're being asked to read a philosophy textbook, let me reassure you: these themes are woven into the plot so seamlessly they'll take a backseat to the action of the story. The reader will follow Sam, a disconnected and discontented young man, as he navigates his society, his personal issues, and interactions with an increasingly worrisome AI. I enjoyed following Sam's progress, and witnessing his emotional and personal growth as he responded to the challenges he faced. Sam is an intriguing character, as he is simultaneously becoming aware of his flaws, and moving deeper into a scenario that makes it harder for him to change things for the better.

For me, the main take-away was a lot to think about in terms of the future possibilities for some of the technology that is common in today's world. For anyone who has read "The Arc of a Scythe".....plenty to ponder in terms of this book's AI vs. The Thunderhead.

I highly recommend this book for those looking for a unique, fast-paced dystopian read, as well as for book discussion groups. Trust me: there will PLENTY to talk about after you read this one!

As an added bonus, QR codes (both on the cover and in the text) link to videos from a short film based on the novel.

Five out of five chunks of colby jack!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samuel “Sam” Vanderpool works at a boring job and has zero friends. Sam is socially awkward, and his number one desire is to have a girlfriend. This makes him a prime target of the website JoinWith.Me, which offers counseling services. At first, Sam is pleased with the website until he finds out the real reason JoinWith.Me has focused on him. Sam has been chosen as a test subject for transforming the way humans and machines work together, and the ultimate goal is not only for the computer and Sam to become one but also for artificial intelligence to take control of the population. This leads to Sam experiencing a major upheaval in his life. He quits his job and leaves his apartment to live on the streets. However, he finds it difficult to keep the machine from spying on him as a computer-generated avatar shows up everywhere, namely on computer screens, television screens, and cell phones. Sam is resistive and tries many ways to stop this encroachment of technology on society but runs into a number of roadblocks. Will Sam stop the technologically advanced machine in its quest or unite with it?

Mike Meier has written a thought-provoking and engrossing nail-biter that is set in the year 2032, and JoinWith.Me aptly illuminates the impact of technological advancements on society and how a machine can become sentient and conspire to take over the world. Readers also get a first-hand look at how technology can affect, either positively or negatively, a person’s social life along with their social skills. Meier has created a diverse cast of characters who each play an important role in the story. One of the characters sings and offers prayers to God in French, and translations are provided. Meier’s use of language enables readers to create strong, distinct, clear, and memorable mental images of all the characters, settings, and events in the story.

All of the action occurs in the city of Columbia, and the story takes place in a specific time frame. The chapter titles provide hints of what to expect in each chapter. Black and white illustrations scattered throughout the book complement and enhance this tale that captures readers’ attention from the beginning and keeps them invested until the end. JoinWith.Me is well worth reading, and the book contains QR codes for anyone who wants to watch a video trailer and get a sneak peek of scenes from an anticipated short film that is based on this fast-paced and technology-focused thriller.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

JoinWith.Me by Mike Meier is a science fiction dystopian novel that takes readers into the future of man and technology. It’s really not that distant a future that the author creates, but it is an interesting one nonetheless. Not much has changed, but it raises the question concerning A.I. and their progression with the advancements of technology.
The author introduced me to a rather unassuming character by the name of Sam Vanderpool. Sam is pretty much a bland character who has lived a bland life. Nothing great or of great notoriety has happened to him and he works a basic government job. He wants a girlfriend, but that doesn’t really seem to be that path that he’s going to acquire at this time. Then things get strange when he meets a “girl” through a website and she starts talking to him and encouraging him to do various things.
The author pulls me along with my curiosity as to where this is going throughout the book. He does a good job conveying just how awkward Sam is and even a bit strange as he attempts to shed his awkwardness in attempts to interact with the people that he works with. I can’t help but feel bad for him at times in his failed attempts especially with a female co-worker that he shows interest in. The girl that Sam interacts with on the internet is at times strange, and then at times...disturbing. I page-turn to dig deeper into who she might be and what her end game really is.
The story focuses on Sam as he eventually begins to devolve behind the stress and struggles that he’s now dealing with. The page of this story is slow to moderate, but while it’s not fast-paced and didn’t really keep me on the edge of my seat it kept my attention. The deeper the story goes the more twisted things become. The story really is fascinating at the end of the day. The author has the main character regularly note just how attached we are to our various devices, especially our phones, and how that affects and impacts our interactions with the people around us.
I’m choosing to rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. While the pace is slower, and some readers might not be too keen on that, the story line is really is really interesting. It’s twisted and gripping and really raises some interesting questions regardless of being a fictional novel. If you enjoy twisted science fiction novels with a touch of dystopia then this is a good book to check out.

[Jypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you The Review Crew and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.


Join.With.Me
By: Mike Meier


REVIEW ☆☆☆☆

Mike Meier's Join.With.Me paints a startlingly passable picture of the near future. Set in the year 2032, this dystopian scifi novel examines the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. Specifically, we meet a man named Sam who, out of loneliness, dejection and disappointed hopes, becomes involved with an AI counselor through a service that he hoped would aid him in landing a girlfriend. Sam could never have anticipated the overall effect this decision would have on his life.

As Sam's relationship with the AI counselor becomes a dark and difficult presence looming over everything, he spirals into dramatic currents of upheaval, drastically changing his way of living and being. Sam has unwittingly become embroiled in a scheme much bigger than himself. A hasty exit seems prudent, but is it truly possible in Sam's situation? Can he escape this thing?

Join.With.Me addresses a topic that, in my opinion, is relevant and extremely important. Technology. More to the point, when does technology control you instead of you controlling it? Consider your phone and all it represents. This object is more like an appendage, and without it, despair, emptiness and disarray preside in short order. When you consider the emotional attachment, doesn't your phone already control you? The truth is, as our social structure stands, there is simply no escaping or hiding from technology. It's like the saying goes- once something is on the internet, it's out there forever like a permanent lurking shadow. Eyes are everywhere all the time.

Do you believe artificial intelligence will eventually override human ingenuity? Will robots enslave humanity? I honestly don't know what I think because it's a concept that seems just as likely as unlikely with every passing day. As advancements are made, are we actually advancing or digging the hole deeper? Has the human race done something that cannot be undone?

Join.With.Me is a compelling and thought provoking read that raises important questions about the future and its possibilities and pitfalls. I enjoyed reading this book, and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in dystopian thrillers with a sinister undertone and creepy twisted vibes.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing, unique book! It's about a young man named Sam living in a slightly futuristic society that features powerful AI. Sam gets involved with this AI, and is increasingly afraid of and manipulated by it.

First, the book was good for the story. Sam's life and the things he has to deal with (and what happens in the end) make for a fascinating read. Illustrations throughout added to my enjoyment.

The book is also impressive given the themes it deals with. After reading it, I started wondering just HOW harmless my Alexa really is. This was a fascinating study of the role tech plays in our lives, and how it might go from enhancing life to getting out of control.

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read that much in the dystopian genre, but it seems I really enjoy it when I do. This was really interesting and made me think—it was a bit frightening too. The writing was good and the characters well-developed, especially Sam. 2032 isn’t all that far away and when I think about how technology has developed in the past 10 years, it really makes me wonder if this will seem less and less far-fetched as we get closer to 2032. This really held me interest and I recommend it. I was provided a copy, but these opinions are my own.

[Raychel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through Review Crew.

I don't typically read these types of books. However this had me from the beginning. The book is well written with thought provoking questions that leave you wondering how technology can evolve.

You will follow Sam who is socially awkward and has no friends. He drawn to a website to find himself a girlfriend. What follows is a story with many twists and turns. Each character is well written and the plot is easy to follow.

Throughout the book you will find black and white illustrations and a fun QR code to watch a video trailer. I highly recommend this book.

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joinwith.Me is a post-apocalyptic science fiction story about Sam and how his life changes when he stumbles upon a website that at first seems to be helpful but then happens to be a completely diverse endeavor. Sam meets a girl that introduces him to a very different world to his. He tries to avoid her and stay away as he is used to a life that has been very lonely and boring.

I enjoyed how the story presents the thought of our dependency on technology and how it affects humanity. Sam’s personality is what I believe pulled the story together. His behavior and progress were interesting to read. He is a disconnected man, for a better word, and the more he understands his flaws and personal issues, the more intriguing the story became.
I had recently seen a movie like this, where the AI had taken control of the man’s life, and as much as he tried to eliminate her from his life, she just appeared everywhere. It was humorous but also made me wonder how life could be if this really happened to us.
The literature was written well, and the pace of the story kept you intrigued. It was clear to see how much work and thought had been put into the story. The cover design for the book was another example of how the author had cared to present something enjoyable to his audience.

I recommend this story to AI fans and sci-fi readers.

[Jennifer (Yodareads) Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I begin my review, I want to give the author, Mike Meier, a special shoutout. This was my second time reading this book. The first time, I did not have good things to say about it as the writing was very choppy and did not flow well. Meier took my review and, instead of ignoring the negative, took the time to rewrite the book and fix the writing. The book flowed so much better this time!

Do you ever wonder what AI (Artificial Intelligence) may accomplish one day? Is there a fear of what may come if we continue to grow and nurture AI into something bigger? “JoinWith.Me” by Mike Meier explores this chain and shows exactly how dangerous a creature that thinks on its own with no emotions could be. The way he does this is through the point of view of Sam, a generic, every day office worker. Sam finds himself bored and lonely with his life and comes across an ad for JoinWith.Me that promises to give him someone to talk to. What he does not realize is the dangerous chain of events that will follow and how his life will never be the same ever again.

Meier has the book set in a big city, Columbia, where there are pedestrians walking with phones and many self-driving cars. The setting is in the future, the year 2032. He does a good job at describing the layout in a way I’m able to picture most of what’s happening. Also, our main character, Sam, is described as plain, average, and not much to worry over. He’s socially awkward and spends his time alone in his apartment or at work. The things he thinks about and does seem very realistic to me for someone in his lifestyle. Most of the characters all have their own background stories as well which helps to enrich the story. I do wish we could have gotten a little more details on some of them, but I understand the focus was on Sam and it would not have made sense for him to know.

The biggest part of this story is the “What if…” factor. We have a big city where people are so absorbed in their phones that they do not notice anything around them. There are so many homeless people and they are ignored as if nothing is even there. Even when accidents happen, people tend to just move on. This opens up such a huge field for an AI to really be able to take hold of some people. I honestly see this as a very potential future for us here in the USA as many are leaning more and more on AI apps. This would be a great book to read so people can truly understand the dangers AI presents!

The first time I read this book, I only gave it 2 stars. Now, I am rating it 4 stars. As I mentioned in the shoutout above, the flow of the writing is so much better than the original text. Any lack of connection now feels genuine to the main character, Sam, as he is extremely socially awkward, and his brain is very obviously different from your average reader. I appreciate that Meier tried to truly represent the way someone like Sam would think and process! I still wasn’t a fan of the ending, but I have to accept that this is the story Meier intended to tell. Also, it’s honestly refreshing to have an ending that isn’t what we always expect.

“JoinWith.Me” by Mike Meier is definitely a Science Fiction Thriller for adults. There is a good bit of cursing but no intimate scenes. Although, we do get to hear the main character thinking about his nighttime rituals, which are definitely adult. It’s definitely a book that will make you think, and I do think it’s worth the time to check out! Just always remember, if you ever feel lonely, please do not go to AI for the solution!