Slave Technology

by Biju P.R.

That the Internet is no longer a free and independent space is stating the obvious. But the
repercussions, on the individual as well as society, are more serious than one can imagine. Instead
of becoming an alternate space for those who have been unheard and marginalized, it has fast
become a platform to spread hatred, fake news, intrude on our privacy and mostly, reinforce
the social fissures unique to Indian society. In what is a close and upfront examination of man’s
behaviour online, this book shows how the dark side of the Internet has not only got us all in
its web, it has also fanned our dark side. From trolling, to body shaming to its destructive effects
on our cognitive skills and relationships, the Internet has taken on our lives, making it a new age
Frankenstein, beyond the control of existing laws and rules.
Slave Technology is a must-read in the times of post-truth.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

About the author

Teacher. Blogger. Husband. Introvert. I ♡ Gayu

I am author of the book Political Internet: State and Politics in the Age of Social Media (Routledge 2017), Intimate Speakers: Why Introverted and Socially Ostracized Citizens Use Social Media (Fingerprint! 2017).

I have finished the typescript of three books—

First, on Internet and sexuality;

Second, on the negative impacts of social media; and

third, a novel—

Presently working on a narrative non-fiction with the working title Lovescape: Why India is afraid of love.

Next work is Democracy and Social Media. I will finish this work by 2019.

A peer reviewer for various reputed journals including the Asian Journal of Communication. A contributor to the South Asia Politics, and various online outlets such as Merinews, India Opines, and countercurrents.org.

Research interests lie in the intersection of Internet, politics and social change. Specializes in the social science of Pornography, sexuality and Love in the larger context of India! I have written extensively on these areas in popular web journals, academic outlets, and online news portals.

I am currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science, Government Brennen College, in Thalassery, Kerala, India.

Contact Me

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bijugayu

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bijugayu

Blogger: http://bijugayu.blogspot.in/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biju-gayu...

WordPress: https://bijugayu.wordpress.com/

Tumblr: http://bijugayu.tumblr.com/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/1020267030393...

Reviews

[Wanderingg__soul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Social media has given us an opportunity to express ourselves and reach out more people.
But as every coin has two sides, social media too has its own advantages and disadvantages.

In this book "Slave Technology" author Biju PR has tried to throw more light on those disadvantages.
This book is not a guide or a solution book to get rid of this negative side. It just addresses the issues and anxieties about the internet with the help of anecdotes.
The term Slave Technology itself signies the consequences of the Internet in the lives of ordinary people.
Brilliantly written. Very honest and upfront anecdotes.
Many important issues are addressed by the author like social media bragging, scams, trolls, gossips and rumors, rise of digital ghettos, hate campaigns, sexism on internet, censorship, love and betrayal, how internet contributes to anxiety and depression and much more.
Definitely a must read in the times where we are literally surrounded by technology all day.

[Abhilash Ruhela · Rating 3 out of 5]

All of us have definitely become slaves of technology in this world of affordable smartphones, laptops and data packs. It has really become difficult for all of us to stay away from the social media websites and apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp, Blogging websites etc. But there is always the possibility about which track to follow when one is surfing through Social Media- the content that gives you positivity or the content that gives you negativity. If in any case, you start enjoying the negative content and also get involved in spreading the same, the technology that should be a boon for us ends up becoming bane and destructive. The 44th book of this year that I just completed reading on this weekend is based on the same named “Slave Technology” written by Biju P R who already has such researched books in the market. This book is published by Rupa Publications in around 144 pages.

The book is divided into 11 different chapters where all of them talks about the negative impact of the technology. As all of us while using Internet never takes it so seriously that it can actually change our mindset as per the contents we view, this book shall definitely act as a very big eye-opener where you shall be surprised with what all takes place because of the same Internet you have been using for uploading your pictures and check-ins on Facebook and Instagram. Author talks about the topics such as bragging on the Internet, rise of digital ghettos, the way gossips, rumours are spread, reputation is harmed, hatred is being campaigned, trolling is discussed in a full chapter, how sexism exists on the Internet, narcissism on Internet, people who scam others on Social media, how people end up falling in false love and then get betrayed and finally ends with censorship on the platform.

All the chapters cover whatsoever could have been covered in the same. As I have already read many articles in newspapers and Internet about the damage that social media does to people, community or country hence there was nothing new for me but I can say that author tried to cover all the points with statistics at few places to make them sound relevant.

The writing style of the author is like a journalist which makes it easy for you to read this book in a single sitting due to its easy language and user-friendly vocabulary. The references for all the articles that author has used in research while drafting/writing this book is mentioned at the end of every chapter. The amount of research that must have gone is incredible and that shows in the content of the book.

Talking about the few drawbacks, I must say that author has just mentioned all the drawbacks and shortcomings of the Internet but didn’t give any kind of solution- solutions even where it could be implemented at the individual level itself. Then, author has not discussed about the benefits of technology at all. So, if you are very positive about Internet and have not taken it that seriously till now, you shall end up getting negative and scared about your mobile and shall even sell it off and take a Black and white handset. Yes, the book is definitely very negative which I felt author could have balanced. I also felt that the author was biased towards a gender and religion which he made it sound as if they are too victimized by the acts of another majority on Internet which I disagree with. At some places, book sounds like an agenda too.

Overall, this is a nice book if you really want to know the negative impact of technology and social media in case you are unaware of what happens in the other world of Internet. I give this book 3 stars out of 5.