"What's on your mind?" "What's happening?" Do you often find yourself answering these questions on social media? Do you often update your current status on WhatsApp? Are you more connected to the virtual world than the real world? Are you . . . an Introvert? Welcome to the Connected Space In the age of social media, where intimacy has found a new course, the introverts and ostracized citizens, including women, queer and the Dalit, have broken down the enforced social hierarchies, conventional norms and class divisions. Intimate Speakers is an account of Biju's social media encounters with these citizens, as they came forward and shared their intimate stories. They have not only found an alternative political existence in cyberspace, but are actively using social media to bring about significant changes in the society and overall social structure. Optimized for digital reading, this ebook offers a smooth, immersive experience on any device. A writer, teacher and blogger, Biju P. R. is a peer reviewer for various reputed journals including the Asian Journal of Communication. He is a contributor to the South Asia Politics and various online outlets such as Merinews, India Opines and countercurrents.org. His research interests lie in the intersection of Internet, politics and social change. He has written extensively on the interface between social media and politics, in popular web journals, academic outlets and online news portals. He currently works as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science, Government Brennen College, in Thalassery, Kerala, India. Biju has authored the book Political Internet (Routledge, 2016), has finished the typescript of three books-first, on Internet and sexuality; second, on the negative impacts of social media; and third, a novel-and is presently working on a narrative non-fiction with the working title Lovescape: Why India is afraid of love.
