Paylater and Digital Lifestyle
A few years ago, shopping was both a social ritual and a physical activity. We’d go to the market or store, see the goods in person, haggle over the price, and, just as importantly, count the contents of our wallets before deciding whether to buy or not. There was a gap between desire and ownership, […]
“One Piece” and “Nakama” on Social Media
This year, “Agustusan”–Indonesia’s independence day celebrations–may feel a bit different. Not because there are no “panjat pinang” (pole-climbing) or “balap karung” (sack races) like we experienced during the pandemic, but because of the surge in social media posts showing that instead of waving the Indonesian flag, some people are displaying a pirate flag, commonly known […]
Hijrah, Movement and Gadgets: When Da’wa Finds Digital Space
In an era when many public spaces have shifted to the digital realm, some young Muslims are choosing a quiet path that is becoming increasingly crowded. They gather not in mosque halls or campus halls, but around WhatsApp notifications that buzz all night long. One such group is the Kopdar Masjid Bandung Raya community, a […]
Domestication of Technology: Are We Taming or Being Tamed?
I was born in a time when the only notification was the loud ringing of the landline phone. My days were filled with yard games, teen magazines, and internet access only from internet cafes. But I also grew up with major transitions: from 160-character SMS to unlimited WhatsApp, from simple Friendster to advanced Instagram, from […]
Dika’s ‘Aura Farming’ and Globalism of the Local on Social Media
Who would have thought that a traditional Indonesian event that has existed since the 17th century would suddenly become known worldwide? This is what has been happening in recent weeks. An 11-year-old boy named Rayyan Arkhan Dikha from Riau Province has suddenly gone viral on social media. Wearing traditional black clothing and sunglasses, Dika—as he […]
Juliana, Social Media, and “Netizenship”
Recently, the tragedy of Juliana Marins on Mount Rinjani filled social media timelines and quickly became a trending topic, especially among Indonesian and Brazilian netizens. As reported, Juliana (26), a Brazilian tourist, died after slipping while climbing with six friends and a guide. She reportedly fell on Torean the “hell route” in Mount Rinjani, one […]