The Risky Journal

This afternoon (December 22, 2010), I took a glimpse of a TV program in MTV Indonesia entitled MTV Alay. Well it was not that difficult to predict what this TV program is all about. As the name suggests, it presents shows    about “Alay” phenomena in Indonesian culture and society. This afternoon, the host of the show, VJ Daniel, interviewed three teenagers embracing “alay” identity, while VJ Daniel himself dressed in “alay” fashion. This program also featured video clips of Indonesian bands which could be labeled as “alay” band. "Alay" itself is a pop culture phenomenon in Indonesia to refer a broad of new pop cultural practices raging from music, fashion and writing style.  "Alay" is broadly used to refer to cocky and cheesy persons. In short, "alay" is attached with negative values. A profound explanation of this term will be given later.  However, why does MTV decide to dedicate a standalone program to this branch of new pop culture phenomena? W

In response to my previous post about Movie Review: Precious which tells us about Black Feminism, hereby in this post I would like to share a power point presentation about Black Feminism. This is given at American Women class in November 24, 2010. Hopefully, it can be a clear introduction to Black Feminism. Black Feminism So, treat women of color with more respect !! For so long they are oppressed because of their race, social class and sex. Let us spread this awareness, starting from ourselves. No more women oppression. It is our chance as the next generation to better our future lives.

Precious (2009) What will you do if you are born as a fat black woman in a sexist and racist country? This question probably what this movie tries to answer. Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Precious  offers you a different point of view to be young fat African American woman. Set in 1985, this novel-based movie tells the life of Clareece 'Precious' Jones. She has problem with her weight as portrayed in the movie poster above. As a young woman, she has dreams to become successful and famous, ordinary dream of common Americans. But. her dreams are taken away when her own father rapes her. Within 30 mins of the movie, audience will be given a surprising story of 16 year old Precious is now having her father's infant within her body. Bearing her father's children within her body, she is devastated mentally and physically. She lives in ghetto with her mother, Mary Jones. However, Precious cannot share her tears, sorrow and pain to her mother. Instead, Mary always abuses Pr

Last Monday, November 30, 2010, was a shocking day in the world. Nearly hundreds of thousands US bilateral documents were uploaded by wikileaks. In the leaked documents, it was uncovered that many Middle East leaders pledged US to strike Iran in response to the growing and long lasting issue of nuclear issue. As we all know. Iran insisted on developing nuclear power and it was argued that the development was for the sake of alternative energy. Iran's plan to develop nuclear in fact turned the world to be more alert. US, as one of the world leader strongly refused this plan since US surely would suspect the nuclear development used in the army enhancement. However, a surprising fact is exposed by the leaked documents i.e. the pledge by Arabian leaders to strike Iran. Surely, it makes the international relation of the countries mentioned in the documents tense. But, how is this phenomenon seen from postmodernism perspective? Postmodernism ,as explained in the previous post, is m

A car chased by Wedhus Gembel (the Heat Cloud) Yesterday was a shocking day for Indonesia . Within hours, two monstrous natural disasters happened. One was Tsunami in Mentawai Island , West Sumatra Province . The other was the explosion of Mount Merapi . More than 300 were declared dead in the Mentawai , while 30 in the later. My deepest condolences for all of the victims. Mount Merapi , is one of the most active volcano in Indonesia and some say it is the most active volcano on earth. Its volcanic activity can be categorized into two. Smaller volcanic activity happens each 2 - 4 year period. Bigger volcanic activity happens each 10 – 15 year period. And for 18 years, each time there is a volcanic activity, there is a figure that cannot be separated from it. His name is Mbah Marijan .

This second post about postmodernism will consist of two greatest postmodernist thinkers and their contribution to postmodernism. 1. Jean François Lyotard. Lyotard is a French philosopher. He opened the discussion for postmodernism in social theory with his groundbreaking publication ‘ La Condition Postmoderne’ (The Condition Postmodern). His works stress the decline of meta-narratives or grand-narratives, as some scholars refer it. Meta-Narratives as defined in the previous post are sets of ideas governing what is right and wrong. For example, religion defines how to live a good life. By doing so, people who do not appeal to the characteristics of good man as defined by religion will be considered unfaithful, as bad people. Lyotard argues that this way of legitimating declines in a postmodern society. What is considered good can no longer be clearly separated from what is considered bad. Lyotard The decline of meta-narratives was triggered by communication development. Traditio

Postmodern Architecture? In finishing my thesis, I was actually forced to learn about a thing that I had no previous experience in it. This irritating subject –but finally, I love to study it– is called Postmodernism . What is this? It sounds so cool (yeah indeed). To define this term, I tried to read books, articles from academic journals as well as online articles. However, to my surprise, I really got no satisfying answer of what postmodernism is. It is not a simple matter to define this. It is not like defining two pluses two equals four. It is not like defining US’s current president is Barrack Obama. All literatures that I read, when it comes to definition, give ambivalent and unsatisfying definition as examples I gave to you. But at least, I want to share to you about this term with my own perspective, in a simple way. Postmodernism surely stems from the word ‘post’ and ‘modernism’. Thus it means, ‘after modernism’ or ‘after modern’. What is then modern? Modern is not old-f

Hi guys, it's been a while since the last time I updated my blog. Well, I have been so busy lately for doing nothing. Last week, I watched the third sequel of Toy Story franchise. Yes, Woody is back after years of long sleep. This movie review is about Toy Story 3. What happen with your toys when you grow up? Do you throw them to the nearest bin? Do you ever think your toys feeling? Well, you better do that if your toys can speak and act like humans as in Toy Story 3.  This movie tells about Woody (the cowboy doll character) and his toy fellows belonged to Andy. Since Andy is now a grown up boy, going to college soon, he never plays with his toys anymore. If you watch Toy Story 1 and 2, you will ask "what happen with the other toys? Why are there only few toys remaining in this movie?" Andy is off to college soon and he has to select which belongings he will take with him to the college. To their surprise, the toys are all put in a black plastic bag except o

I got a task in my American Thought class several months ago. I had no idea what to write. But then I remembered one of my lecturer's saying, "Media is around you. You can get newspaper and you can make an analysis on it". So thanks to my inspiring lecture, I decide to analyze Hollywood Disaster Movie Genre. What was it?? why did i take it?? It was in the beginning of January if i am not mistaken that 2012 movie phenomenon occurred. People rushed to movie theater queuing to buy the opportunist movie. This phenomenon triggered me to analyze what kind of movie it is. I finally came into an understanding of disaster movie genre. Movies are categorized into the same genre if they have similar narratives (pattern of story). And disaster movie genre has long existed in Hollywood. We may still remember Armageddon, The Day After Tomorrow, Deep Impact and 2012 which all depict world destruction. So, I group them in disaster movie genre.

Whosoever reading this post, i am back to blogspot. I feel more ease here (and simpler of course). I am starting to post again soon enough. XD

Well, finally I decide to make a more personal post in my blog (who disagree? you? oh hell yeah... it's my blog). I am about to share my experience working as an LO (Liaison Officer). For three weeks, I experienced new working experience. I worked as an LO for two different international events. I am not trying to act as pro in this field, but I just want to share my experience in case you are interested in the same area. To start, let me explain what an LO is. Liaison Officer is person(s) in charge of international delegations. For example, when there is an international conference which invite many international delegations, there will be LO in charge of each delegates. LO's main duty is to connect delegates to the committee. LO serves as the portal of information to delegates. LO must know the details of the event, including any changes (sudden changes). That is why, LO should always track any recent news regarding the event s/he works in. LO should also know much informa

I've got this idea to write about Japan's popular culture for  some times. Firstly, I love Japan's popular culture such as anime and manga.Japan's anime and manga are so popular around the world, transcending nations, age, sex and gender. I read Japan's  manga from the age of 10 (may be), until now. I watched Japan's anime also for years. One thing that really makes me wonder is about the depiction of gender in those popular culture product. Before furthering the discussion, it is important to say that i follow Ann Oakley's argumentation to differ sex and gender. Sex is naturally determined, while gender is socioculturally constructed. Thus, to speak of male and female is to speak of sex. While to speak of masculine and feminine is to speak of gender. In doing gender (attributing gender characteristics in body), people are for so long stereotyped by the existing binary relation. It means that male should develop masculine traits to be called as a re

Hmm ... I am informing you (as if i have any follower in this, LOL) that I move in riskysays.wordpress.com . Well, it's just that I need fresher environment (silly excuse = D ) Find me there guys !

Infotainment is probably one of the most successful program in current Indonesian tv program. Stories of celebrities are always narrated in such a distinctive way. Infotainment stands for information and entertainment, however is there really information within? Yet, infotainment always articulates it self as the source of news concerning celebrity. Then, how is news constructed? Let us start by define what infotainment is. Information, as defined by dictionary.reference.com is " knowledge communicated or received concerning a particular fact or circumstance ". In this definition, fact really counts. While entertainment means " the act of entertaining; agreeable occupation for the mind; diversion; amusement ". to conclude, infotainment means presenting amusing news. Or as once again, citing from dictionary reference:  "  television   or   radio   programs   that   treat   factual   material   in   an   entertainin

On June 12, 2010 I went to a department store to find a set of suits. I needed to find a suit as soon as possible to use for an event next week. Therefore, I decided to buy ready-use suits at a department store. To my surprise, as soon as I entered the suit sections, I was warmly greeted by the shopkeepers. Yes, I said shopkeepers because there were five shopkeepers warmly greeting and serving me. They offered a class one service. For me, it felt so different. Usually, I go to department store just to buy T shirts (moreover when there is a discount). But, the service is so much different. The shopkeepers will not approach me, and rather they will observe me with a suspicious look, as if i am going to steal something. They will not serve me well. What happen in this case? Do cloths really matter? What is so important about cloths that make you have different treatment? Clothing is one of the basic human need. Cloth protects people from heat, cold, dirt and everything else. Thus, pe

Within the last two days (June 7 – 8, 2010) Indonesian society was terribly shocked with sensational news. Two sex tape videos, depicting people resembled closely to Indonesian celebrities, Ariel, Luna Maya and Cut Tari, spread widely on the net and were instantly consumed by mass society. Soon enough, some scenes of the sex tape were depicted in the television, with blurred images. Still, it was broadcasted regularly from the morning news, noon infotainment, until evening news. The broadcasts enabled more and more people, children included, to have access to the news. Soon enough, a trending topic on twitter '#Ariel Peterporn", ranked number one for more than seven hours. Looking this phenomena as a student, therefore I critically try to express what I feel and think about this issue on this piece of writing. Sex tape scandal, is probably one of the worst thing for you to expect in Indonesia. Being raised in a society where Eastern Culture is taught, having a sex tape dist

It is one of my assignments during American Media class last year. I uploaded the file to scribd. Then, Iink it here. It is not a copy paste work, it is mine. So please do not copy paste it. American Idol Analysis

It's been along since the last time i wrote on this blog. I've got no idea to write (so as to write my thesis currently). Well then, let's start posting junk materials :P i found this lovely video on youtube... and it is so amazing. Who said that learning alphabet is so boring? check this out first, then think again ... So how was it? Pattie can even sing dictionary if she wants :P source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0hYxuDav0g&feature=fvw

Jazz music is one of music genres considered as a high class music now. But, do you know that it was a low class music? Jazz music is a mix of blues, ragtime, brass, band music, and dance music. Those musics were created and popularized by African American musicians. So, Jazz was invented by African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th century. To be precise is around 1920s, as it is an era of Harlem Renaissance - an era when Black culture started to rise. Then, was Jazz a high class music before? No. The roots of Jazz was even in the slave musics before the Civil War era (pre 1865). So, it is clear then that Jazz was a low class musics. So, how could Jazz raise as a high class music. In 1917, Jazz became popular not by its black musicians but by a band namely the Original Dixeland Jass which members were all white. In addition, the band debuted in New York. The uniqueness of Jazz captured all the attention. Then, more Jazz great musicians started to emerge including Louis Armst