Kurt Vonnegut’s Response to Solving Social Media Scams

Kurt Vonnegut, a renowned American writer and humorist, well known for his satirical and darkly humorous novels, with his works often embodying the concept of absurdism. As a self-proclaimed luddite and pessimist regarding technological advancement, Vonnegut possibly believed that technological progress was susceptible to corruption by fraudulent crimes. This perspective on progress and technology becomes evident in his response to today’s social epidemic surrounding social media scams. Vonnegut's purpose in addressing progress and technology is to shed light on the potential consequences of these advancements and their impact on humanity. His argument revolves around the potential transformation of progress into greed and its role in the proliferation of scams. Ultimately, Vonnegut's views serve as a cautionary tale, urging us to approach technological progress with vigilance and ethical consideration to safeguard our collective principles and well-being.

According to a recent report from the Federal Trade Commission:

Americans lost $2.7 billion combined to scams originating on social media between January 2021 and June 2023. That’s far more than consumers lost in other online scams: $700 million more than website scams and $1.8 billion more than email scams during the same period, the FTC says. The methods are aplenty, from romance scams to fake merchants, or fraudsters who take over your social media profiles and con your friends out of money. (Huddleston, 2023, p. 1)

Vonnegut feared that humanity's pursuit of progress would inevitably devolve into greed, a theory that seems highly similar in today's technological progress ruined by fraudulent crimes. "You can't fight progress. The best you can do is ignore it, until it finally takes your livelihood and self-respect away,"(Vonnegut , 1999, p. 1) Vonnegut expressed. This idea of technological advancement morphing into exploitation displays the deceptive nature of social media scams, revealing Vonnegut's astute perception on how progress, in the wrong hands, is manipulated for financial gain. 

Furthermore, his distrust for new technology, evident in his remark, "Those who live by electronics die by electronics. Sic semper tyrannis," (Vonnegut, 1952, p. 60) underlines his belief that unchecked technological progress ultimately leads to its abuse for unethical ends. This highlights the connection between Vonnegut's cynicism and the negative consequences of social media scams. “Electronic communities build nothing. You wind up with nothing” (Vonnegut, 2007, p. 61–62) stated Vonnegut.

Vonnegut's views on technology highlight his understanding of its pervasive and unstoppable influence. His reluctance to embrace new technology, as he expressed, "All the new technology seems reductant to me. I was quite happy with the United States mail service,” (Allen, 1988., p. 1) reveals his skepticism towards technological advancements, which is why Vonnegut would agree that social media scamming is a growing social epidemic. 

Kurt Vonnegut's views about technological advancement provide a unique perspective on the epidemic of social media scams. Based on Vonnegut's beliefs on the relationship of technological progress, he would believe that social media scamming is an epidemic because it causes ethical concerns in the digital age. Although Vonnegut recognized the potential for progress through technology, his skeptical view of the impact it had on society raises pertinent questions about how humanity often turns advancement into greed and misuse for financial gain. However, Vonnegut's views also serve as an argument for more responsible and ethical use of technology, advising us to proceed carefully in order to protect our collective principles and well-being.

References

Allen, W. R. (1988). Conversations with Kurt Vonnegut. University Press of Mississippi.

Fisher, E. L. (1974, February). BSU. cardinalscholar. https://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/05147cc8-c73e-4f50-af12-95ac9eb1be72/content   

"Folk Tales". Claremont Review of Books. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.

Jr., T. H. (2023, November 14). Americans are being scammed out of billions on social media-look for these 7 red flags. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/12/americans-lose-billions-to-social-media-scams-red-flags-to-spot.html

Vonnegut, Kurt (2007). A Man Without a Country. Seven Stories Press. p. 55.

Vonnegut, Kurt (2007). A Man Without a Country. Seven Stories Press. pp. 61–62.

Vonnegut, K. (1999). Bagombo Snuff box. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 

Vonnegut, Kurt (1952). Player Piano. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. p. 60.