Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life

Strangers and Intimates is a sweeping history of private life, from ancient Athens to the digital age, warning that it is in mortal danger due to social media, surveillance, and constant openness.
Tiffany Jenkins argues that private life is now in mortal danger due to social media, surveillance, and constant openness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2025
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Strangers and Intimates: An Intimate History of Private Life is a captivating and thought-provoking book that explores the dramatic emergence of private life throughout history and argues that it is now in mortal danger. Acclaimed cultural historian Tiffany Jenkins takes readers on an epic journey, from the strict separations of public and private in ancient Athens to the moral rigidity of the Victorian home, and from the feminists of the 1970s who declared that "the personal is political" to the boundary-blurring demands of our digital age. Strangers and Intimates is both a celebration of the private realm and a warning: as social media, surveillance, and the expectations of constant openness reshape our lives, Jenkins asks a timely question: can private life survive the demands of the twenty-first century?

The book begins with a fascinating exploration of the ancient Greek concept of "philia," which encompassed a range of intimate relationships, from family and friends to lovers and strangers. Jenkins argues that this concept of private life was essential to the development of Western civilization, as it allowed individuals to develop a sense of self and to connect with others on a deeper level. However, as society became more complex, the boundaries between public and private became increasingly blurred, leading to a range of social and cultural problems.

One of the key themes of the book is the impact of social media on private life. Jenkins argues that social media has created a culture of constant openness and surveillance, which has made it difficult for individuals to maintain their privacy. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have made it easy for people to share their personal information with a wide audience, and this has led to a range of privacy breaches and cyber-attacks. Jenkins also argues that social media has created a sense of anxiety and insecurity, as individuals are constantly worried about what others will think of them.

Another theme of the book is the impact of surveillance on private life. Surveillance has become a ubiquitous feature of modern life, with cameras and microphones being used in public spaces such as shopping malls, airports, and public transport. Jenkins argues that surveillance has led to a sense of fear and paranoia, as individuals are constantly aware of being watched. Surveillance has also been used to control and manipulate individuals, with governments and corporations using data to track and target individuals.

Despite these challenges, Jenkins argues that private life is still worth fighting for. She argues that private life is essential to our sense of self and to our ability to connect with others on a deeper level. Private life allows us to develop our own values and beliefs, and to pursue our own interests and passions. Private life also provides a sense of security and stability, as we are able to control our own lives and to make our own decisions.

However, Jenkins argues that private life is in mortal danger. She argues that the demands of the twenty-first century are placing unprecedented pressure on private life. Social media, surveillance, and the expectations of constant openness are making it difficult for individuals to maintain their privacy and to connect with others on a deeper level. Jenkins argues that we need to take action to protect private life, and that this requires a range of measures, including legislation, education, and cultural change.

Legislation is one of the most important measures that can be taken to protect private life. Jenkins argues that we need to introduce laws that protect individuals' privacy rights, and that these laws should be enforced. For example, we need to introduce laws that prevent the use of personal data without consent, and that prevent the use of surveillance without a warrant. We also need to introduce laws that protect individuals' rights to free speech and expression, and that prevent the use of censorship to suppress political dissent.

Education is also an important measure that can be taken to protect private life. Jenkins argues that we need to educate individuals about the importance of privacy and about the risks associated with social media and surveillance. We need to teach individuals how to protect their personal information, and how to use social media and surveillance responsibly. We also need to teach individuals about the importance of consent and about the importance of respecting others' privacy.

Cultural change is also an important measure that can be taken to protect private life. Jenkins argues that we need to create a culture that values privacy and that encourages individuals to be open and honest with each other. We need to create a culture that celebrates the private realm and that encourages individuals to pursue their own interests and passions. We also need to create a culture that is tolerant of diversity and that does not discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics.

In conclusion, Strangers and Intimates: An Intimate History of Private Life is a captivating and thought-provoking book that explores the dramatic emergence of private life throughout history and argues that it is now in mortal danger. Acclaimed cultural historian Tiffany Jenkins takes readers on an epic journey, from the strict separations of public and private in ancient Athens to the moral rigidity of the Victorian home, and from the feminists of the 1970s who declared that "the personal is political" to the boundary-blurring demands of our digital age. Strangers and Intimates is both a celebration of the private realm and a warning: as social media, surveillance, and the expectations of constant openness reshape our lives, Jenkins asks a timely question: can private life survive the demands of the twenty-first century? By taking action to protect private life, we can ensure that our sense of self and our ability to connect with others on a deeper level are preserved for future generations.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 226 x 147 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529034165