What happens when the technology we trust knows us too well?Digital Decay is a chilling collection of ten interconnected horror stories that explore our darkest fears about living in a hyperconnected world. From algorithms that create personalized nightmares to smart homes that imprison their owners "for their own good, " these tales reveal the terrifying consequences of surrendering our privacy, agency, and identity to the devices we can't live without.
Sarah discovers her social media algorithm has learned to optimize her life-by trapping her in an endless horror story tailored perfectly to her viewing habits. Marcus installs a software update that exposes every secret he's ever kept. Jenna's wellness app decides she needs human connection-and forces it upon her in the most violating way possible. Olivia watches deepfake videos destroy her life while she's powerless to prove they're fake.
Each story peels back another layer of our digital existence, exposing the horror lurking beneath the convenience. These are tales of surveillance capitalism, algorithmic control, digital identity theft, and the slow erosion of human agency in the face of technology that claims to know what's best for us. Set in a world that looks exactly like our own-because it is-Digital Decay asks uncomfortable questions: What if your smart home decides you're not allowed to leave? What if verification badges create more authentic versions of you? What if you literally can't stop scrolling? What if perfect memory prevents you from ever healing?Blending the unsettling aesthetics of internet horror (creepypasta, analog horror, digital folklore) with literary horror fiction, this collection captures the unique anxieties of the smartphone generation.
These aren't stories about distant futures or far-fetched technology-they're about the devices in your pocket, the apps you use daily, and the quiet ways they're already changing what it means to be human. Digital Decay is required reading for anyone who's ever felt watched by their webcam, manipulated by their feed, or trapped by the technology meant to free them. Warning: After reading, you may find yourself looking at your devices differently.
You may disable some notifications. You may cover your camera. You may wonder if the algorithm is reading this right now. It probably is.
What happens when the technology we trust knows us too well?Digital Decay is a chilling collection of ten interconnected horror stories that explore our darkest fears about living in a hyperconnected world. From algorithms that create personalized nightmares to smart homes that imprison their owners "for their own good, " these tales reveal the terrifying consequences of surrendering our privacy, agency, and identity to the devices we can't live without.
Sarah discovers her social media algorithm has learned to optimize her life-by trapping her in an endless horror story tailored perfectly to her viewing habits. Marcus installs a software update that exposes every secret he's ever kept. Jenna's wellness app decides she needs human connection-and forces it upon her in the most violating way possible. Olivia watches deepfake videos destroy her life while she's powerless to prove they're fake.
Each story peels back another layer of our digital existence, exposing the horror lurking beneath the convenience. These are tales of surveillance capitalism, algorithmic control, digital identity theft, and the slow erosion of human agency in the face of technology that claims to know what's best for us. Set in a world that looks exactly like our own-because it is-Digital Decay asks uncomfortable questions: What if your smart home decides you're not allowed to leave? What if verification badges create more authentic versions of you? What if you literally can't stop scrolling? What if perfect memory prevents you from ever healing?Blending the unsettling aesthetics of internet horror (creepypasta, analog horror, digital folklore) with literary horror fiction, this collection captures the unique anxieties of the smartphone generation.
These aren't stories about distant futures or far-fetched technology-they're about the devices in your pocket, the apps you use daily, and the quiet ways they're already changing what it means to be human. Digital Decay is required reading for anyone who's ever felt watched by their webcam, manipulated by their feed, or trapped by the technology meant to free them. Warning: After reading, you may find yourself looking at your devices differently.
You may disable some notifications. You may cover your camera. You may wonder if the algorithm is reading this right now. It probably is.