Behind the Screen: Shaping a Generation Through Media | Rian Fahardhi | TEDxLSPR

The Disquieting Wake

• Imagine waking up in the middle of the night in a dark room with no sound except the ticking of a clock, but feeling something is disturbing and making you stay awake, leading you to unconsciously grab your phone and get sucked into a simulated world of news, events, and notifications on the screen (30s).
• Behind the screen, something big is happening, something that not only grabs attention but can change thoughts, feelings, and who we are today, as media is not just a reflection of us but also has an unseen hand shaping, directing, and possibly manipulating us (1m43s).

Media's Influence

• The speaker, Rian Fahardi, is a person who grew up in a small village in South Sulawesi and moved to Jakarta, eventually getting the opportunity to speak out and travel from Sabang to Merauke, helping young people in Indonesia believe in themselves and their potential (2m36s).

Rian Fahardi's Journey

• In 1977, American futurist Alvin Toffler wrote a book called "Future Shop," predicting future events, many of which have come true, and today we are not lacking in information but are instead experiencing information obesity and overload, leading to confusion and disorientation (3m20s).

Information Overload

• The rapid changes in technology and information devices are forcing us to constantly adapt, and everyone is experiencing shock, but the speaker believes that young people, particularly Generation Z, are the most affected by these changes and the intense exposure to social media (4m34s).

Generational Impact of Technology

• The labeling and stereotyping of generations can be limiting, and the constant comparison to others on social media can make us lose touch with who we are, but the speaker argues that a generation cannot be defined solely by birth year, as it is shaped by critical phenomena, such as the COVID-19 pandemic (5m32s).
• The pandemic has created a new generation with characteristics shaped by the crisis, such as increased empathy, and has also accelerated technological advancements, leading to new opportunities and the emergence of young people who are adapting to these changes (6m30s).
• The current era is similar to the time of Bung Karno, with the Spanish flu and the current pandemic being critical phenomena that shape the character of a generation (7m15s).

Defining Generations

• The Industrial Revolution led to the creation of a generation of creators, which ultimately shaped Indonesia into what it is today (7m36s).
• Many experts predict that history will not repeat itself, but the rhythm will be the same, and the current generation can bring back Indonesia's glory (7m46s).

The Pandemic's Influence

• A new character, known as Generation Pi, is emerging from the current critical phenomenon, and they are the game-changers of Indonesia (8m18s).

Historical Parallels

• The challenge for Generation Pi is to recognize their true identity, acknowledge their local potential, and cultivate empathy and care (8m30s).

The Industrial Revolution's Impact

• According to Yuval Noah Harari, humans are currently facing a crisis of empathy, as social media exposes people to numerous values that can change their emotions quickly (8m49s).

Indonesia's Future

• Social media can make people easily angry, and this is not the characteristic of Generation Pi, who will change Indonesia (9m27s).

Generation Pi

• A new cancer and new power are emerging from the current media phenomenon, with four villains: digital deluge, digital distraction, digital dementia, and digital deduction (9m46s).
• Digital deluge refers to the overwhelming amount of information that makes people unwise in decision-making, with too many options and choices (9m50s).

Challenges for Generation Pi

• Digital distraction occurs when people are constantly interrupted, wasting their productive time and youth (10m17s).
• Digital dementia is a phenomenon where people are confused about what is right and wrong, as they focus on who is speaking rather than the substance of the message (10m45s).

Empathy Crisis

• Digital deduction refers to the underutilization of human intelligence, as people rely more on technology and simplify it, leading to shallowness and eventual paralysis (11m7s).
• Three antero, or new anxieties, are haunting the younger generation: FOMO (fear of missing out), FOMO (fear of better options), and the fear of not being able to keep up with trends (11m45s).

The Four Digital Villains

• FOMO causes people to fear missing out on information or trends, leading them to follow the crowd and make impulsive purchases (11m50s).
• FOMO, or fear of better options, occurs when people are overwhelmed by the numerous options available, leading to regret and dissatisfaction (12m17s).
• The abundance of options available to people can lead to feelings of unhappiness and regret, causing them to become afraid of making decisions or taking action due to the fear of making the wrong choice (12m55s).
• Two "monsters" that people face are the Filter Bubble and the Echo Chamber, which work together to limit people's perspectives and create a narrow view of the world (13m18s).

Digital Deluge

• The Filter Bubble refers to the way social media algorithms only show users content that they are likely to engage with, creating a limited view of the world (13m32s).

Digital Distraction

• The Echo Chamber is a phenomenon where people only hear their own voices and opinions reflected back at them, creating a sense of isolation and limiting their ability to consider alternative perspectives (14m22s).

Digital Dementia

• The combination of the Filter Bubble and the Echo Chamber can lead to a lack of critical thinking and poor decision-making, as people are not exposed to a wide range of viewpoints and are instead influenced by sentiment and personal biases (15m20s).

Digital Deduction

• This can result in a phenomenon known as "post-truth," where decisions are made based on emotions and personal opinions rather than objective facts (14m57s).

Three New Anxieties

• The widespread use of social media has also been linked to an increase in depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, particularly among young people (15m52s).
• According to data, one in four Gen Z individuals experience depression, and mental health issues have increased by 200% (16m23s).

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

• To address these issues, it is necessary to create a generation that is able to think critically and make informed decisions, and to do this, people need to reconnect with their roots and values (16m57s).

Fear of Better Options (FOBO)

• This can be achieved by disconnecting from devices and social media, and reconnecting with oneself and the world around them (17m35s).
• By doing so, people can gain a better understanding of themselves and their place in the world, and can develop a sense of purpose and direction (17m49s).

The Abundance of Choices

• It is also important to learn from the past and to appreciate the wisdom and knowledge that has been passed down through generations (18m1s).

Filter Bubble and Echo Chamber

• The founding fathers left behind a history that serves as a crystal ball to foresee the journey of the younger generation, emphasizing the importance of not abandoning history and reading books to understand the surroundings (18m13s).
• The power of today lies in viralism, where social media can move the masses, creating a phenomenon that may not have occurred in previous decades, and it is crucial to utilize social media wisely to show that one's voice matters (18m34s).
• The focus should not be solely on consumption, but on demonstrating that one cares and loves Indonesia, and this can be achieved by being concerned about the environment and the community (19m9s).

Post-Truth

• Indonesia's future depends on its youth, and it is essential to learn digital skills and social skills, such as public speaking and community engagement, to create a positive impact (19m29s).

Mental Health Issues

• The ability to write, speak in public, and develop one's character are essential attributes that have been passed down by founding fathers like Bung Karno, emphasizing the importance of community, collectivism, and mutual cooperation (20m1s).
• Cokro Minoto, Soekarno's teacher, advised that to become a great leader, one must write like a journalist and speak like an orator, highlighting the significance of these skills (20m21s).

Reconnecting with Roots

• The narrator, Rian, founded Distrik Berisik Keliling, which traveled from Sabang to Merauke, to demonstrate the need to take action and create an impact for Indonesia's future (20m58s).
• The youth of today are the main actors in shaping Indonesia's future, and they must not be controlled by algorithms or authorities, but instead, work towards restoring the glory of Nusantara (21m16s).