What is cosmos and how does it work?

Could you please elaborate on the concept of Cosmos and its operational mechanisms? I'm particularly interested in understanding its technological backbone and how it differs from other blockchain projects. Also, could you explain the role of staking in Cosmos, and how it contributes to the overall ecosystem? I'm curious to know how Cosmos manages to achieve scalability and security, given the complexities involved in decentralized systems. Thank you for your insights!