Volume 11: Beyond the Horizon by Perspektif Magazine

B E YO N D T H E H O R I Z O N

HORIZON IN MOVIES SUNSETS IN THE CITY THE LAND CALLED HORIZON TRUTH OF LIFE ARTIFICIAL MEAT: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR INDONESIA?

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Cover illustration by Katherine audrey benjamin jane novella 2

photo by clara kosasih

Vision To be a platform that exemplifies the diversity of Indonesian experiences by showcasing Indonesian ideas, talents, initiatives, and stories. Mission To create a visually appealing and intellectually engaging magazine.

PERSPEKTIF INDONESIAN FOR PERSPECTIVE (noun.) a point of view Perspektif is a biannual print and online magazine dedicated to showcasing talents and disseminating ideas. Perspektif is Indonesian for perspective, a name that signifies our aims: to promote the acceptance of varying perspectives, whilst representing Indonesian culture in a global context. Each volume contains a variety of written and visual pieces, from critical analyses to poems and personal anecdotes, each centralised on a theme. Supported by kind donations and passionate individuals, our magazine is entirely free and run by volunteers and contributors. We hope that Perspektif will inspire and familiarise you with new ideas, perhaps challenge your own, and possibly lead to the formation of new ones.

photographed by clara kosasih

BEYOND THE HORIZON “There is strange comfort in knowing that no matter what happens today, the Sun will rise again tomorrow” – Aaron Lauritsen Horizon is defined as the limit of a person’s mental perception, experience, or interest. This concept of horizon awaits a continuation of narrative, to the tale of our society. Beyond the Horizon examines human reflection, tangible objectives, and conceptual dreams that steers the world we live in.

EDITOR’S WORDS

Most of the time, the future excites me. In my head, visions of a bright ahead gather in one place and that becomes my motivation. I’m sure some people share the same enthusiasm. The promise of a future as a fuel. Other times, I think about what it means to grow and that can be pretty scary at times. After all, there is no way of gauging the future. So what do we do? We try to improve our future from present day. This comes in so many forms; in technology, education, and standard of living to ensure the longevity of our days. Perspektif’s 11th volume Beyond the Horizon aims to discuss just that. Various of our writers have contributed much of their time to write on thoughtprovoking pieces that dissect what it means for our planet and human race to the exposure of rapidly advancing technology and skills, amongst other important facets. Talking about the future might be nerve-wrecking, but it doesn’t have to be just that. The future waiting for us contains infinite possibilities, each one full with opportunities to live out our dreams.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

ANNLI TEE

Personally, I would like to thank my team for putting in countless hours into producing what is now Beyond the Horizon. It really took a lot of coordination and hard work on their part to create this volume, and so for that, I am beyond grateful. Hope this volume inspires you. I’ll see you in our next one. Cheers, Janice Halim

THE TEAM FOUNDERS Fauziyah Annur Rama Adityadharma Mary Anugrah Rasita

EDITOR IN CHIEF Janice Halim

EDITORIAL

CREATIVE

MARKETING

Managing Editor

Creative Director

Marketing Director

Sabila Pane

Clara Kosasih

Evelyne Febriani Tantono

Editors

Designers & Illustrators

Marketing Officers

Janice Tjondro Alfarez Wirawan Chiara Situmorang Nadia Pranabudi

Angela Theodora Claudia Ivy Tjahjanto Jane Novella Katherine Audrey Benjamin

Olivia Jeanie Sieva Sylvana Dea Surya Michael William Gumardi Jessica Felise

CONTENTS

GOING BEYOND THE HORIZON IN S O U T H K O R E A : L G B T P O R T R AY A L IN THE MEDIA L I N D S AY W O N G

I C E B AT H S A N D M I S S I N G O R G A N S A L FA R E Z W I R A W A N

BEYOND THE LENS E DWA R D TA N OTO

TO BE YOUNG AND ENNUI COREY MCCABE

NO HARD FEELINGS, ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JUST BUSINESS I VA N H A S J I M

FULFILMENT OF THE HYPOTHETICAL VS SUCCESS OF REALITY C E C I L I A J O I C E LY N

A TRICK OF THE LIGHT CHIARA SITUMORANG

PHOTOGRAPHED BY clara kosasih

HORIZON IN MOVIES

SUNSETS IN THE CITY

THE LAND CALLED HORIZON

B RYA N T K U R N I A S U R JA

JANICE TJONDRO

D AV I D T J H A I Y U N E N

TRUTH OF LIFE

A R T I F I C I A L M E AT: W H AT DOES IT MEAN FOR INDONESIA

THAMEENA MAHOMED

NADIA PRANABUDI

CONTRIBUTORS VOLUME 11

WORDS

MEDIA

COREY LENNIN MCCABE

AMADEO ADERISAN

L I N D S AY W O N G

ANGELA THEODORA

B RYA N T K U R N I A S U R JA

ANNLI TEE

JANICE TJONDRO

B E K A T R I N D A FA D I L A

NADIA PRANABUDI

CLARA KOSASIH

E DWA R D TA N OTO

HELEN CHEN

CHIARA SITUMORANG

I Q B A L R A K A A D I T YA

A L FA R E Z W I R A W A N

JASON HENDRIKS

D AV I D T J H A I Y U N E N

LEONA GOH

THAMEENA MAHOMED

THERESA FONG

C E C I L I A J O I C E LY N I VA N H A S J I M

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

angela theodora

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THE HERO’S HORIZON WORDS BRYANT KURNIASURJA ILLUSTRATION IVY TJAHJANTO PHOTO THERESA FONG

The gaze of a heroic individual into the infinite abyss of the horizon is one that is commonly portrayed in movies, particularly in the adventure genre. One famous example is Star Wars, which portrayed protagonist Luke Skywalker gazing deeply into the setting of the binary suns in the horizon. I believe the utilisation of horizons in these movies serve to help reveal how heroes respond to the "call into the land beyond" or the "unknown" represented by these horizons. This representation is derived from a view of reality that sees it as being fundamentally comprised of two main domains: order and chaos, explored and unexplored territory, or the known and the unknown. In life, we are constantly faced with these two domains. Stories of heroes suggest that there is a noble way of facing these two domains, involving the individual’s willingness to explore the unexplored. Movie scenes that show the heroic gaze of an individual into the horizon implicitly reveal the individual’s decision to confront the "unknown", thus, making these scenes more important than we realize. Before I discuss the importance of individuals stepping up to adopt this pattern of behavior, I will first discuss what awaits in the domain of the "unknown".

The unknown is where the greatest threats lurk, but at the same time holds the redemptive force that you seek. In "The Great Mother", Erich Neumann wrote extensively on the domain of the unknown, manifested as the figure of the "Divine Mother" throughout mythological stories. The Divine Mother is terrible and benevolent at the same time. The terrible mother is where sickness, death, dismemberment, and predators lurk. It manifests itself in mythological stories where the dragon guards the gold, where death is a possibility, and monsters such as Medusa or the Chimaera exist. However, Mother Nature is also benevolent as it produces, nourishes, and is the ground of where all potential grows and manifests. It’s what’s obtained by heroes from their endeavours, which has the potential to re-establish order into the heroes’ communities. The domain doesn’t only exist in mythological stories though, since it also surrounds us in the form of things that are beyond the scope of our understanding. It includes the skills we have not mastered, books we have not read, or even potential sources of problems we choose to ignore. The domain we inhabit most of the time is the domain of order. It is in the form of the a priori anatomical structure we inhabit, the plans and routines we conjure up, and our homes, family, and circle of friends. The fundamental hero myth often portrayed in movies suggests a noble way of navigating through the two domains. >>

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“ t h e o n l y wa y t o r e s c u e t h e h e r o ’ s previously inhabited paradise is to venture out into the frontier and retrieve the redemptive force that will re-establish it”

The hero archetype essentially follows an individual’s voluntary confrontation with the unknown and the re-establishment of paradise. In the beginning, the hero inhabits a peaceful state until an unexpected anomaly blows it into chaos. It could be a breach in the hero’s community by an external threat, the death of a family member, or the need to rebuild the hero’s damaged community. These anomalies then force the hero to either fight for the re-establishment of order or refuse it. The only way to rescue the hero’s previously inhabited paradise is to venture out into the frontier and retrieve the redemptive force that will reestablish it. The individual’s decision to stay in his degenerating home would protect the hero from the ever-present danger in the frontier, however, it forsakes the hope of returning order, sacrificing the potential for betterment. The acceptance of the call is a testament to the hero’s moral courage, since the decision implies braving a future confrontation with the terrible mother despite their (perceived) shortcomings and fragility. Eventually, they’d claim victory over their opposition and obtain the promise held for the re-establishment of the hero’s state or community. This archetype has found its way in numerous stories and movies, most notably, in Luke Skywalker from the first installment of the Star Wars series. Luke Skywalker was a young man who spent his days helping his aunt and uncle with their labours at their peaceful farm. One day, he came across a cry for help from a princess held captive by the tyrannical Empire. The hero first refused the call. 14

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However, it wasn’t long until the Empire demolished his home, killing his aunt and uncle. In shock, he went for a walk outside alone, gazing deeply into the binary suns setting in the distant horizon. The scene’s beautiful scenery, along with John William’s magnificent orchestral score seemed to purposefully evoke a feeling of awe amongst the audience. The filmmakers knew that this moment was one of great value, and tried their best to do it justice. Luke’s gaze towards the horizon implied his decision to chart a course through the domain of the unknown in accordance to our innate instinct to gaze towards the direction we intend to move in. There is something noble and captivating about this act and the archetype in general that we don’t fully understand. But what really makes the hero’s decision so noble – and why should we make the same decision? The possible embodiment of the hero archetype is rooted in the eternal presence of the horizon that surrounds us, since we have been cursed into an eternal state of inadequacy. We can always conceptualize a potential "better self" that can be manifested in the real world, but at the moment remains abstract potential. An example would be the version of you that exercises regularly, eats clean, or studies consistently. In order to manifest your "better self" in the real world, you must confront the domain of the unknown to experience things you haven’t experienced, learn things you haven’t learned, and notice things you haven’t noticed. The unknown hosts everything you could potentially master, holding the potential to both strengthen

and improve you as an individual. However, it also contains potential sources of problems that you choose to ignore, both willfully and unintentionally. The subject topic that you choose to "study later" despite having absolutely no clue what it’s about or an email from your landlord that you choose to ignore, are examples of problems that you avoid dealing with – and no wonder you ignore these things when it’s painful to notice them. Despite knowing the upsides of embodying the hero archetype, most people still choose to refuse that calling. I find this to be understandable, since there are legitimate reasons to refuse the beckoning call. We tend not to explore the unexplored, partly due to the pain and difficulty that comes with the decision. The mere act of conjuring up your "potential self" renders your current self inadequate compared to it, causing pain, since it also suggests that you’re not who you could be. That realization itself can stop you in your tracks from confronting the potential standing before you. However, if you continue to pursue the high aim you’ve set up, you’re still entering a strange land you have not previously

inhabited. You’ll feel like an imposter, or a fool. You’ll feel great discomfort, confusion or even embarrassment, but that’s exactly what should happen, since you are contending with the terrible mother. However, from the confrontation itself, you will encounter new knowledge, making you less ignorant, and the process itself will undoubtedly transform you into a better and stronger "you". The heroism you embody will bring meaning and goodness, developing you into a force-forgood in the world. It will, if nothing else, give you some self-respect and help you prevent avoidable catastrophes if you pay enough attention to those potential problem sources. Imagine who you could become if you constantly confront the "horizons" you encounter, becoming the hero of your own life. Imagine how much good you can bring into the world when you make earthly sufferings more tolerable for you and the people around you.

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But you can build a future out of anything. A scrap, a flicker. The desire to go forward, slowly, one foot at a time. You can build an airy city out of ruins Lauren Oliver, Pandemonium

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

ANNLI TEE

SUNSETS IN THE CITY WORDS JANICE TJONDRO ILLUSTRATION IVY TJAHJANTO

I love crowds. I love the way people walk: most in one direction, weaving back and forth, chatting as they go. I love watching them, some heads down, lost in thought, and wonder what their private worlds are like — each of them viewing the same place, the same day, from a unique perspective. Some of them notice the sun, others the cloudy remains of yesterday’s rainstorm. The people of Melbourne come from different countries and cultures. Each person in the crowd moves as if unseeing hands drag them this way and that, pulling their eyes to one thing and then another. They respond in unpredictable ways, each of them with something to accomplish at the end of the day. There is always something different to see everyday, something that stands out despite the routinity of it. There would be people bustling with purpose to work, school, or an event, while there are others who wander with a sparkle of adventure in their eyes. Some walk in pairs, their hands intertwined and heavy with love and commitment. Melbourne is known for being a city that’s heavily populated with university students, many wishing for a fresh start the moment they begin their new lives here, while others try to incorporate their old lives in this new, estranged one, hoping to get a taste of home. But of course everyone misses their home at some point in their lives — the nostalgic days spent in their childhood homes, the laughs they shared with family and friends alike. Memories like that can sometimes play in our heads like an old movie spinning on a reel. They flicker vaguely at times and have imperfections, but they capture the moment so beautifully that it’s forever embedded in our minds. Fragments of these can be seen in the nooks and crannies of the city, reminding us of our roots and at the same time bringing them to life – this is why I feel that Melbourne is such a special place. It’s overflowing with recreated memories of individual hometowns: the food, the entertainment and the company.

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.... looking at the sunset here makes me feel like I’m bac k home, sharing a laugh with my relatives, telling anecdotes that would bring smiles to the faces of my family.

I once had a meal by the beach with a few friends, enjoying the food and company under the sun. We were there just for the knack of it, but it actually got me thinking. I was lying on the small spread of beach mat that I brought along. The heat was beating down on me and I could feel beads of sweat running off my face. I knew it was too hot but once in a while a breeze gently passed over my body, and with it, the heat from my skin. I shifted my gaze upwards and realised that the tinted whirls of cotton candy clouds dancing around the setting horizon weren’t unfamiliar. And just like that, a wave of happiness engulfed me. In the gentle spring sunshine, I felt like the rays of the day brought a frisson of nostalgic energy to my fingertips. It felt like home.

sunsets in

The sunsets here aren’t so special that it stands apart from sunsets in other cities. But looking at the sunset here makes me feel like I’m back home, sharing a laugh with my relatives, telling anecdotes that would bring smiles to the faces of my family. From deep inside my chest, through every cell of my body, the warmth welcomes me like an old friend. The sunset takes the colours of the different people living here and mixes them together, becoming a beautiful blend of colours that reminds me of my roots. Looking up, I could see streaks of golden rays pouring over the horizon, staining the sky with hues

the city of orange and magenta. The sun rays kissed my skin lightly, warming me from the inside out. The rays that were once red slowly became pink, the threads of light filtering through the rolling clouds, dyeing the heavens with the glowing embers of a dying fire. What remained of the scattered light illuminated each crevice of the land, the stark differences in colour between light and dark now clear as the last slither of the golden ray peeked over the skyline. As the light slowly disappeared under the horizon into a melting pot of colours, the sky was a shade of chalky mauve — the kind you’d want to keep your eyes open to see, a photograph you’d want to keep. As the last vestiges of the setting sun disappeared under the horizon, the copper hues gave way to a dusty purple scattered with the occasional glitter of a faraway star. The distant skyline stood silhouetted

against a velvety sky, the golden dusk enveloped by the twilight mist. I tore my eyes away from the scene in front of me and focused on what is happening around me. People began getting up slowly, dusting their feet and straightening their clothes. They all had a satisfied look on their faces, happy to be treading home to meet their family and loved ones. At the end of the day, no matter where we’ve come from, Melbourne has somehow made its way into our hearts, settling in and making a home in every one of us, just like how we’ve made a home out of it too.

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Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re both looking at the same moon, in the same world. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re connected to reality by the same line. All I have to do is quietly draw it towards me Haruki Murakami, Sputnik Sweetheart

HONGKONG/MACAU PHOTO SERIES by Clara Kosasih

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GOING BEYOND THE HORIZON IN SOUTH K O R E A : L G B T P O R T R AY A L I N T H E M E D I A WORDS LINDSAY WONG ILLUSTRATION IVY TJAHJANTO

LGBT issues have had a long history, and its acceptance and resistance have been different in different parts of the world. Even though it has been more or less accepted in most Western countries with the legalisation of same-sex marriage, there is still a stigma around it in East Asia. South Koreans have divided feelings about LGBT issues – they neither accept it nor reject it. The opinions of South Koreans are quite divided as they do not perceive it as a big deal, and the media plays a significant role in this. LGBT-themed content has not had huge exposure in South Korean media until recently. There has progressively been more portrayal in the media, especially in the K-pop industry and in K-dramas. South Korea’s history of LGBT portrayal in the media has mostly been in the drama industry. Directors have not been afraid to portray same-sex relationships in the storylines of their K-dramas, including the ‘Reply’ series, ‘Life is Beautiful’, ‘Cheese in the Trap’, ‘Seonam Girls High School Investigators’. However, the majority of gay storylines do not have happy endings, usually with a character suffering from an unrequited love for their best friend. This was the scenario in ‘Reply 1997’ and ‘Reply 1988’. The ‘Reply’ series was one of South Korea’s most popular drama series, garnering high ratings across the country. The fact that it touched on such a controversial issue as part of the storyline shows that the media is willing enough to address these societal issues instead of completely ignoring them. For example, in ‘Seonam Girls High School Investigators’, the two female protagonists pursue a romantic relationship. This drama caused major controversy when it came out, but the directors defended their portrayal, saying that an LGBT relationship was intentionally depicted in order to raise awareness of the ill-treatment that homosexual students currently face in the society. By examining the presence of LGBT issues in K-dramas, we can conclude that South Korea has not accepted same-sex relationships. However, there has definitely been progress made in the representation of LGBT issues in the media as they are still open to the idea of addressing the issue as a part of the

storyline in dramas. When South Koreans consume media in these ways, their identities and thoughts become continuously shaped and formed. It could also influence how they approach situations and behave in everyday life. In addition to its emergence in the drama industry, LGBT-themed issues have also started to emerge in the K-pop industry, especially in music videos. It is not a common trend, but occasionally there have been a few music videos featuring LGBT issues. Popular idol group Monsta X has a music video for their title track ‘All In’, where there is an implication of a romantic relationship between two of the group members, Hyungwon and Minhyuk. In the music video, each member faces their own sorrow with Minhyuk’s sorrow being Hyungwon suffering. As seen in the screenshots below, these two members have a bond stronger than friendship. When Monsta X was asked about this particular music video, they stated that there was a "very special relationship" depicted. Funnily enough, soloist K.will, who is from the same label as Monsta X, has also garnered a lot of attention, around the country and internationally, for his music video ‘Please Don’t’. At first glance, most viewers will presume that the protagonist of the music video is jealous of his male friend for being in a relationship with the girl he is supposedly in love with. However, the plot twist at the end reveals that the protagonist is actually in love with his friend instead of the girl. Throughout the music video, the protagonist has been envious of the girl for being in a relationship with the guy he is in love with. The audience definitely do not expect this plot twist as K-pop music videos do not usually depict LGBT issues. The fact that popular artists in the K-pop industry portray LGBT-themed storylines in music videos suggest that it is an issue that they are willing to address and introduce to the public. In January this year, Holland debuted as the first openly gay K-pop idol. As an independent solo artist with no company to back him up, Holland ARTS, CULTURE & EDUCATION /

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took a huge risk with his debut as LGBT issues are still taboo subjects in the industry. Holland’s first music video and song ‘Neverland’ features himself and another man being intimate and even kissing later on in the music video. The lyrics focus on a boy’s hardships against discrimination because of his sexuality. The music video of ‘Neverland’ already has 10+ million views, which is a huge achievement for an independent artist with no promotions. The general reaction to Holland has been mostly positive and supportive, and he has been compared to Australian singer-songwriter Troye Sivan, who is also openly gay. He is known for incorporating LGBT-themed issues into his music, some of which are personal to him. In an interview for Rolling Stones magazine, Holland stated that he does strongly believe that LGBT artists will be accepted into the Korean music industry one day, and he hopes to contribute to this. Holland wanted to send a message through his music that it is okay to be gay. In this manner, he inspires and gives hope to future musicians who may be hesitant to debut and pursue their dream due to their sexuality. Even though the general South Korean public has still not accepted homosexuality as a norm, "shipping" K-pop idols together is common, and fan service is encouraged among idols. "Shipping" is the act of pairing two people together romantically. For example, some BTS fans "ship" members Jungkook and V together, and there are videos on Youtube of theories about the pair and their relationship. "Shipping" is part of the K-pop fandom culture, and it usually occurs between members of the same idol group, who are often of the same sex. Similarly, many K-pop idols of the same sex conduct fan service in order to please fans. Fan service is the term used when idols serve fans by teasing them and making them want more. One method of fan service is when idols act very close with each other as fans would want to see them be intimate. This implies that fans are open to and willing to embrace a same-sex relationship in a positive manner, especially since fans like seeing idols of the same sex acting close.

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Since the media is starting to address LGBTthemed issues more openly, especially in the K-pop industry, South Korea is becoming more exposed to such issues. Even though it has not been fully accepted, the public is slowly becoming aware. The positive reaction to "shipping" K-pop idols together and fan service conducted by these idols suggest that the public is progressively becoming more open to the idea of same-sex relationships in general. Popular artists like Monsta X and K.will have incorporated strong implications of same-sex relationships into their music videos, which are watched by millions of people. They use their large fan base to communicate the message of being comfortable with one’s own sexuality. Similarly, the debut of Holland, South Korea’s first openly gay idol, brought light to the LGBT community in the country. His success as an independent artist with no label to back him up has inspired people, and he hopes to continue influencing people through his music. The most popular idol group, BTS, are also using their global influence and fame to discuss their support of LGBT issues in interviews, especially in Western countries. Since they are representing South Korea, they are portraying their country as being more open to accept LGBT as a whole. Because K-pop and K-dramas are consumed by a huge audience across the world, people will be influenced by the messages that music and television depict. This genre is especially popular in Asia, where the majority of the public have conservative mindsets. The influence will therefore not only be felt in South Korea, but also in other countries in Asia. K-pop artists are starting to go beyond the horizons these days with the portrayal of LGBT issues in the industry. Now, the public are neither rejecting or fully accepting homosexuality, but this may change in the future due to the effect of the media.

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Three years ago (2000) when I came out, it felt the public opposed me. Eighty percent of the e-mails were hostile, like 'I want to kill you,' and 20 percent were supportive. Now it's the opposite Before I came out, no one talked about homosexuality in Korea. But now everybody is talking about it. I think Koreans are starting to accept homosexuality Hong Suk Chon, an openly Gay Korean celebrity

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

angela theodora 27

THE LAND CALLED HORIZON WORDS DAVID TJHAI YU NEN ILLUSTRATION KATHERINE AUDREY BENJAMIN

The mystical land Where the sky and the ocean Intertwine Evoking wonder and possibilities of what could be, A better reality. And so you row... And row... And row... Till weariness kindles But not even a glimpse of the shores, Appear within the peripherals The fog of mystic covers even its silhouette The sun grows grey The blue sea stills And soon after The night settles in And under the moon ray You stop your row And contemplate back to the reason you started at all: The painful reality you’re living in And this, As a quest To find the buried treasures Of golds and silver That might change it.

Or a healthier parent, Who doesn’t have to keep going back and forth for check-ups An ever-growing pile of bills, So mom had to come home past two every night To pay for them. Who doesn’t have to lay 6 months on the hospital bed To be greeted with a goodbye in the end. Of a better friend, Who doesn’t always ask you for help but when you need one yourself, she said she’s occupied with something. Who you’re not always the one to initiate hangouts Cause if you don’t, it’s dead silence and then you see her hangout with her other friends Which makes you start developing trust issues and build walls to protect yourself Even to those who genuinely cares about you.

Those glittering treasures... Of a better parent, Whose hands doesn’t hurt you Whose voice doesn’t frighten you. Who doesn’t abandon you A whole life seeking fatherly affection and endless envy towards the ones who do receive it. Who doesn’t favor your brother over you Having family dinners each time he visits during the holidays But for you, not even a praise for your hard work studying.

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Or just a single person to talk to, So you can also enjoy your share of warmth and joy From the exchange of stories and laughters Or just the simple companionship on those lonely Saturday nights eating takeaway dinner in your room. So you don’t have to find anymore excuses That you always have to study Or that you’re content and fine with being alone, When even the sight of people being with their friends makes you green with envy. Of a better financial situation, So you can join in and finally "get" your rich friends’ conversations, And stop being surprised everytime they waste foods on restaurants. So you don’t have to work part time to pay for your everyday needs And save up for Grad school In addition to the huge and difficult workload From the major chosen by your parents So that you can land a high paying job in the future. And so you start rowing again To traverse this endless blue Not even certain of ever reaching Just equipped with a small, glimmering lantern of hope But you should well remember That all of us row, There; to the same place Under the same moonlight A one lively lantern parade And perhaps with the scorching heat of our lanterns, Of our hope and willpower The fog that covers it may subside And perhaps under the greeting of a new day Of a much brighter sun The shores may start to reveal themselves.

POEM /

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AMSTERDAM/LONDON FILM PHOTOS by Leona Goh

F U L F I L L M E N T O F T H E H Y P OT H E T I C A L VS SUCCESS OF REALITY WORDS CECILIA JOICELYN ILLUSTRATION KATHERINE AUDREY BENJAMIN

Indeed, the advancement of human civilisation is only limited by our own imagination, our courage to dream and to expand our horizon. We have proven time and time again what we are capable of as humans, be it in creating new vaccines that saves millions or a new medium in which we can express novel forms of art. These milestones of progress could only be achieved through the fulfillment of the hypothetical -- a firm believe that the impossible is possible. However, these milestones do not come cheap. Apart from the sacrifices and the relentless efforts by pioneers, the society has to be mature enough to expropriate these breakthroughs through methods that benefit the society as a whole, and not just specific groups or individuals. Furthermore, fulfillment of the hypothetical can only come with a degree of success from the pre-existing reality and those hypotheticals can only be worthwhile once they become reality themselves. Hence, which one is more crucial? The importance of success of reality is undeniable. ‘Reality’ in this case refers to pre-existing theories, discoveries, methods, machines, protocols, traditions, styles of creating artistic representations, art forms and the likes of these which have proven to have some degree of success or acceptance in the society. Many people in a myriad of disciplines intentionally or even unwittingly aim for the success of reality since it is the acceptable norm. Aiming for success of ‘reality’ has many benefits since these tested and accepted methods and outcomes are likely to be low risk, legal and comparatively easier to execute and replicate. Especially in the practice of white collar disciplines, such as professional accountants, doctors, engineers etc., being creative and not following through proper rules will, more often than not, result in illegal, or even unethical,

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misconducts. Following procedures to the utmost detail ensure that surgeries are done successfully, frauds are detected patently, inefficiencies in businesses are identified diligently, safe and proper structures are built generously and misconducts are avoided appropriately. In the fields of arts and entertainment, following the accepted frameworks and outcomes would ensure that particular products sell well. Violation of norms could lead to socially inappropriate material, and if worse comes to worst, a widespread media backlash. However, following familiar frameworks would result in familiar outcomes, hence, there would be no ground-breaking discovery and advancement for respective disciplines. Also, in cases like a new outbreak of diseases, or a disaster of colossal scale, pre-existing methods would not be able to absolve these problems. We are then forced to improvise and create new protocols and inventions and discard normal procedures to effectively tackle such aforementioned problems. In the long run, chasing the success of reality would eventually lose its beneficiary factor as acceptable norms, forms of products and works of art would soon be marked as bland and mundane. This is because, unfortunately, it is a human’s intrinsic nature to always be attracted to something more creative, different, and novel. However, it is beyond a shadow of doubt that aiming for the success of reality is ultimately the safest, most appropriate and logical method in countless disciplines to ensure the wellbeing and optimal functioning of our society.

The fulfillment of the hypothetical is where dreams become reality. This refers to creating new theories, procedures, protocols, machines, products, works of art or entertainment that is not part of the prevailing culture and tradition -- anything that was initially thought to be impossible, but is made to be possible. The act of fulfilling the hypothetical is inherently more precarious because those untested procedures may have adverse results in practice. We can never be sure of the outcome, nor the process that precedes it. Fulfilling the hypothetical requires one to go against the prevailing rules to get novel results. It takes courage and strong determination, as one may even be persecuted for pursuing this path. For instance, in a strict and traditional patriarchal society, courageous women who fight for equal rights for their counterparts may have to risk their life to do so. A prominent example of this is Malala Yousafzai being shot by a Taliban gunman for being a female education activist. However, pursuing the hypothetical is necessary if we were to break through outdated and conventional norms and traditions such that we can achieve a society where equity is achieved and discrimination is quashed. >>

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Fulfilling the hypothetical requires one to go against the prevailing r ules to get novel results. It takes courage and strong deter mination, as one may even be persecuted for pursuing this path.

Thinking out of the box and pursuing new theories that has never been explored before are often required to solve novel problems of a larger scale. For instance, economic recession in recent decades have resulted in the dawn of Keynesian Macroeconomics model that considers aggregate demand not equal to the productive capacity of economy during recession, which was contrary to the prevailing classical economic theory that focused on aggregate supply. This model cemented itself during and after the Great Depression and has since been used by various countries to tackle recession even decades after. However, new invention entails relentless effort and hard work by innovators. Only few people has this solid dedication that can possibly consume decades of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifetime. Thomas Alva Edison famously failed 10,000 times in his storage battery experiment before finally succeeding. Marie Curie and Pierre Curie dedicated their whole lives to the research of radioactivity which resulted in the triumphant discovery Polonium and Uranium. Chasing the fulfillment of the hypothetical indeed requires a rare kind of profound perseverance. Development in the field of science and technology, most notably, would never happen if scientists and inventors did not chase the hypothetical. Again, this does not come without consequences. While lifesaving procedures and inventions that revolutionize human lives are no doubt beneficial, this must

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be followed with an appropriate law and ethics procedure to ensure that they are not misused and selectively beneficiary to only certain groups of people. For instance, the controversial cloning procedure and genetic engineering, which is a part of the controversial eugenics movement that has gained momentum over the recent years. In conclusion, fulfillment of the hypothetical and success of reality are equally important for the functioning and progress of humankind. One cannot function properly without the other. While creativity, novel ideas and innovations are the locomotive which drive and lead the trains of multiple disciplines that weave the fabric of humanity, procedures, preexisting disciplines and theories acts like the body of the train, as well as the railway that both guides the locomotive and becomes its foundation.

photo series by

Iqbal Raka Aditya

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TO BE YOUNG AND ENNUI WORDS COREY LENNIN MCCABE ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOS JANE NOVELLA

It happens to all of us. You’re at a social gathering stuck in a conversation with someone you have nothing in common with. What are you supposed to talk about? The weather? Sports? An awkward tension fills the air as you stand there in silence. I recommend having a go-to subject appropriate to all such cases that you may lean on when topics of conversation are few. Something that everyone can relate to and partake in. Something that everybody has an opinion on. Mine is early nineteenth-century continental philosophy. https://imgflip.com/memegenerator Yet I have noticed a curious thing. Often as I harangue the crowd with my wit and charm and Kierkegaard, people sometimes appear oddly disinterested in what I have to say. Could it be that a social gathering is not the appropriate time for an impromptu and self-absorbed philosophy lecture? Surely not. I suspect, rather, that people to object to my soapboxing primarily because they have no interest in the content. “What does it matter to me what some dead white guy said two hundred years ago?” the petulant onlooker enquires. Fair enough, too— why should such a niche topic warrant any attention from young people? And yet it does. Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher and all-round sad sack (he literally wrote the book on pessimism), was one of the first thinkers to articulate the idea that life has no intrinsic value. We as humans are impelled to search for a reason for our existence, but will ultimately fail to find one. Instead, we are forced to come to terms with this grim reality, a view known as nihilism. Permeating much of young people—dare I say, millennial—culture is a morbid fascination with the idea of nihilism. Joking about waiting for death is pretty much a once-daily activity for young people.

We make memes about how nothing matters and life has no purpose. We practically brag about our indifference to life. You only live once, the youth proclaims as he or she does something to dramatically shorten his or her lifespan. While these statements generally aren’t to be taken too seriously, there is a serious question hiding beneath: in a world in which nothing matters, why do anything? That is a worrying thought. So instead of trying to answer that question, we fill up our lives with distractions from the cold, uncaring inevitability of death and the eternal abyss that will follow. Like, maybe by looking at some pictures of cute puppies. Now, unlike the Australian Medical Association, I am a firm believer that cute puppies can cure the majority of all ills in life. But they may not be a panacea for an uncaring universe. The issue becomes most problematic in relation to the way young people engage with the wider world. The typical response to nihilism is apathy. It might even be a fair response. Often as young people we feel that we are incapable of making any change. >>

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I recommend having a go-to subject appropriate to all suc h cases that you may l e a n o n w h e n t o p i c s o f c o n v e r s a t i o n a r e f e w. Something that everyone can relate to and par take in. Something that everybody has an opinion on. Mine is early nineteenth-century c o n t i n e n t a l p h i l o s o p h y.

Young people voted against Donald Trump, young people protested Brexit, and young people pushed for gun control in the wake of school shootings. All to little avail. Regardless of one’s politics, it is easy to feel that young people aren’t being listened to in society. And when you feel like you are not part of the conversation, it is easy not to care. It is my belief that our tendency towards apathy both contributes to and is reinforced by our lack of involvement in the wider social and political trends. And unfortunately, apathy ain’t no passing craze. Maybe a problem-free philosophy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Thankfully, the problem posed by Schopenhauer did not go unanswered. Much of the European philosophy published for the next century sought to find a solution to nihilism (though none of them considered puppies). Later thinkers such as Friedrich Nietzsche and the French existentialists—Albert Camus, JeanPaul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir—accepted that life had no intrinsic meaning. But each of them challenged the idea that one must be apathetic as a result. The basic motto of existentialism is that existence precedes essence. In other words, the role that you are to play and the potential you will fulfil doesn’t exist when you are born. The only source of meaning you will find in life is the one you forge yourself.

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You must figure out what kind of life matters to you and how you can live it. The only standards you must live by are the ones you set. This is the challenge of life: to live an authentic existence that is true to yourself and the person you want to be. Nietzsche is more qualified. Creating meaning is hard, and the reality of nihilism can easily cause you to despair. Many will simply choose not to really come to terms with the meaninglessness of life. For those who do, you are forced to accept that there is no intrinsic reason to be happy or content. To do so is an act of bold rebellion against the apathetic universe. Being a young person is hard. We’re often shut out of politics, out of national conversations and out of the property market. It is all too easy to sit idly by, eating our smashed avocado and living like nothing matters. The truth might be that it doesn’t really matter. But the world will be worse for our apathy. Maybe instead we can be bold and rebellious. We can live like the world really matters and speak out for what we believe in. A meaningless world is scary. But none of us are getting out alive. So let’s make the best of a bad situation and try to make this the best of all meaningless worlds.

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The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails William Arthur Ward

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

IQBAL RAKA ADITYA

No hard feelings, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just business WORDS IVAN HASJIM ILLUSTRATION ANGELA THEODORA PHOTO AMADEO ADERISAN

Every one of us looks forward to the day we graduate from university, since it is a big milestone to reach for our own personal horizon. Finishing tertiary studies is not a walk in the park, some of us struggle to get a pass for our modules. What lies after university may even be more arduous: job searching. As time passes and society develops, social expectations become increasingly demanding. Compared to our parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s generation, it is true that education is now more accessible than ever, and it does provide an opportunity to improve our lives. However, as our world evolves into a more integrated and interdependent one, it also transforms into a more competitive environment for young graduates. Some companies even require work experience from fresh graduates to kickstart their career. It is an endless circle of us needing experience to get a job, but we cannot even get a job to gain those experience in the first place. Thus, a lot of students nowadays juggle studies, internships and part-time employment to prepare themselves for the cruel reality of the real world. Now the question is: should companies contribute to the development of these university graduates?

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The short answer is yes, because it favours both the young graduates and companies themselves. The graduates today are the future employees who would be working for these firms. It would be at the best interest of such firms to provide resources and training opportunities to nurture these graduates, as it eases recruitment and enhances talent acquisition. Consider it an investment, not in conventional vehicles like bonds, stocks or properties, but in people. Since employees are like components of a machine, investing in human resource is a crucial aspect of running a business. Thus, it is important to train and cultivate these young graduates to ensure that the firm remains competitive and sustainable. Moreover, American philosopher Ed Freeman’s Stakeholder Theory provides a broader perspective of organisational management. The theory suggests that a company’s long-term performance is dependent on the well-being of its stakeholders, such as customers, employees, suppliers and local

communities. Freeman quoted that if a company can get its stakeholders to swim or row in the same direction, it would move with momentum and real power. It means that when the company looks after the interests of all the groups involved in their business activities, everyone would be satisfied and this promotes sustainability for the long run. Since university graduates are a part of the vast network of stakeholders of a company, it is imperative to invest in their welfare. Companies today provide a range of internships and graduate programs with attractive benefits, some even offer scholarships to those who deserve it and grants to the ones who are financially underprivileged. This is a win-win situation in which the welfare of tertiary students is taken care of and the brand image of the company is further established as one that is worth contributing to. On the flipside of this story, today’s competitive and dynamic world requires us to rely on our own ambitions to broaden our personal horizon and achieve our dreams. The reality is that firms have scarce resources and some of us may not be able to get the limited opportunities available. As technology continues to reach horizons originally-limited to mankind, traditional jobs are abolished and people are being replaced by machines every day. It would be up to us to reinvent and equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to survive this inevitable change. Even though it may seem unfair, companies today have obligations to their shareholders and customers as well. The inevitable takeover by machines help to reduce costs, which would result in higher profits for shareholders and lower prices for customers. At the end of the day, the best way is to focus on our personal growth to stay relevant in a constantly changing world without relying too much on others. It sure does sound like a tough world to live in for us youths in today’s world. The circumstances we face today do not make it easy for us to get prestigious jobs, earn lots of money and live the typical dream life. Hell, it is not even easy to get a normal job with stable income to support ourselves. However, our parents, grandparents and great grandparents managed to survive the industrial revolution and also the recessions that happened along the way. It is a strong human instinct to have to persistently find ways to survive. My advice for you is to keep evolving yourself and strive to be the best at what you do. Maybe then, you will be able to turn ordinary reality into something beyond the horizon. BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS /

Stop acting so small, you are the universe in ecstatic motion. Rumi

CHINA FILM PHOTOS by Helen Chen

t r u t h o f l i f e POEM THAMEENA MAHOMED ILLUSTRATION JANE NOVELLA

the future kills the past with the softest kiss

echoing the sound of a life not lived

the illusion of happiness unveiled at last

buried deep in the eyes of a million stars

are the lies of the world all twisted and scarred

everything falls apart

before it can fall together

you’ll find yourself alone and broken

with a million words you should’ve spoken

as you walk through your graveyard of dreams reminiscing on the relics that could’ve been

the world won’t keep you safe

but in your darkest hour you’ll find light and even as time blurs the roads of life

you’ll awaken with an unparalleled insight

that the truth of this world sits deep within you and your ability to love is life’s greatest test

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intertwine your love like an anchor in the sea in the heart of every person you meet

when the stars burn out and the oceans run dry

only love will inspire you as time whispers goodbye take the risk of the unknown and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll start to fly

through a world of possibilities beyond the scope of the eye

a heavy heart can be beautiful

when weighed down with love

letting it feel the light of a thousand suns

inflaming within you an irrefutable passion

so be gone with the ideals and the expectations of life and as the walls fall down you start to rise

POEM /

BALI FILM PHOTOS by Helen Chen

A R T I F I C I A L M E AT: W H AT D O E S I T M E A N F O R INDONESIA? WORDS NADIA PRANABUDI ILLUSTRATION ANGELA THEODORA

As surprising as it might sound, the notion of lab-grown meat was not introduced as a solution for world hunger, food-borne diseases or even animal cruelty. Rather, it was introduced as a way to feed astronauts on their lengthy space voyages: the idea was for astronauts to have their own ‘farm’ on board, one that would require less space and time to tend to. The first experiments on artificial meat were conducted by NASA in 1995. Four years after that, NASA funded another research project on cultured fish fillet. Since then, more and more research has been conducted to try to invent what is today called artificial meat. To produce artificial meat, a stem cell is taken from a live animal and put in an artificial environment, particularly one that stimulates growth of the stem cell. These cells replicate and form the meat. Aside from being done on fish cells, the procedure has also been performed on cow and chicken cells. The emergence of artificial meat has not only brought about new prospects for life in outer space, but also for the general public. Here is how it will fit within Indonesia’s setting: 1. New job opportunities By introducing a new industry to the economy, artificial meat will bring more job opportunities. This may sound like good news considering that Badan Pusat Statistik has reported that up to 5.13% of the population or 6.8 million people are unemployed, but in practice it might actually not be the case. According to Indonesia’s minister of economy, Chairul Tanjung, 40% of Indonesia’s population works in the agricultural, farming or fishing sector. If the traditional meat industry were to be replaced completely by artificial meat, millions of people would have to transition jobs. Due to the difference in skills needed in both industries, the transition can cause temporary unemployment while the labour force is re-trained to enter the artificial meat industry.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once ar tificial meat is available at a l owe r p r i c e, i t s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d as a viable alter native to traditional meat. It has a similar taste to meat b u t i s c l e a n e r, m o r e e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y f r i e n d l y a n d i n vo l ve s l e s s a n i m a l s .â&#x20AC;?

2. Environmental benefits In a lot of ways, artificial meat will allow for a cleaner and less polluted environment. The Food and Agriculture Organization for United Nations claims that animal agriculture makes up 18% of greenhouse gas emissions, which come from animal manure which is not present in the production of artificial meat. Transportation emissions will also be lower when compared to producing traditional meat as the production of artificial meat can take place in a lab or factory located closer to the city compared to a farm in a rural area. This substantially reduces the distance to be traversed between production and distribution centres. 3. More meat available In some rural areas in Indonesia, consuming meat is still seen as a privilege of the wealthy. With its citizens only consuming 2.2 kg of beef yearly on average, Indonesia is still unable to feed the demand. Currently, a large portion of meat is imported from Australia. In the long run, Indonesia might no longer be able to supply the growing demand for meat caused by the increasing population. A possible solution to this problem would be artificial meat. To produce one kilogram of beef, 15,000 L of water is needed. According to a study from the University of Oxford, artificial meat will take 99% less land and 82% to 96% less water. It will only take 2,700 L of water at most to manufacture artificial meat at the same amount. This means that given the same resources, one could produce a lot more artificial meat than traditional meat.

4. Less Animal Cruelty Many farming techniques, particularly ones that are deemed illegal in more developed countries, are still considered legal in Indonesia. This includes castration, debeaking and gestation crates. With the introduction of artificial meat, these farming techniques will no longer be necessary. 5. Cleaner meat Lab-grown meat will allow the production of cleaner meat with a lower risk of being contaminated by diseases. Salmonella, a bacterial disease that remains the biggest cause of economic loss in livestock, is very unlikely to be present in artificial meat as it can only spread through feces. Between 2003 and 2005, Indonesia suffered from an economic loss worth Rp.13 billion due to the bird flu outbreak. Artificial meat will also supposedly be immune to the flu as it will be produced in a hygienic environment. Although artificial meat is not yet sold commercially for the public, a number of firms are already promising its availability in the near future. Finless Foods, a food tech startup company, hopes to be able to market artificial bluefin tuna by 2019. Another startup company called Mosa Meat says that in the next 3-4 years, they will be selling burgers with artificial patties for only 9 Euro. Once artificial meat is available at a lower price, it should be considered as a viable alternative to traditional meat. It has a similar taste to meat but is cleaner, more environmentally friendly and involves less animal cruelty. Ultimately, it can potentially supply the ever growing demand for meat. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY /

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

THERESA FONG

It is the tension between creativity and skepticism that has produced the stunning and unexpected findings of science Carl Sagan

I C E B AT H S A N D M I S S I N G O R G A N S WORDS ALFAREZ WIRAWAN ILLUSTRATION JANE NOVELLA PHOTO THERESA FONG

You feel a sharp pain somewhere between your fingers as you furiously flip through your textbook, studying for tomorrow morningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s test. You see your hand shrouded in darkness as the only source of illumination on your desk is unable to reach it. You slowly bring your hand to your face, both curious and fearful, to examine what had happened. A cold chill emanates through your body when you realise that you have become yet another victim of a notorious paper cut. Now, in all seriousness, this is in no way a cause for alarm for most of us. You would only need to clean up the area, stick a band-aid on, and wait for the wound to heal naturally. However, would you react the same way when you start to feel the exact same pain coming from inside of your body? Damage to any of your organs is an entirely different story. Any permanent disruptions to your internal workings could spell disaster for the body, as one failure would lead to the next, culminating in your eventual death. Such a bleak outcome from a seemingly simple problem raises some serious questions: are we then doomed to inevitable death if such a predicament were to happen to us? This is the very problem the pioneers of organ transplantation endeavoured to answer. One that they, after decades of research, are able to resolve.

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The advent of the technology and methods necessary for transplantations brought with it the ability to save hundreds of thousands of lives that would otherwise be lost. We simply rely too much on the soft congregation of cells inside all of us to stay alive. This is why there will always be a ceaseless demand for organs all over the world; a demand so high that more often than not, recipients must enter a waiting list, sometimes for years, for a suitable organ to be available, if at all. Many of them, in the end, will not even live to see the operating table. Such is the harsh reality these condemned souls must face every day; way too few donors supplying way too many patients. This is mostly because the organs in the highest demand are ones that require the donor to be deceased, such as the liver, heart, and lungs. To put it simply, you cannot expect to be alive to hug and congratulate your recipient after literally (and maybe metaphorically, but that is for a whole other article entirely) giving your heart to them. When presented with the choice of either procuring an organ by any means necessary or dying a slow and horrible death, most would gladly choose the

former. This would lead to the creation of one of the largest, most brutal criminal operations plaguing the modern world today: organ trafficking. Impoverished regions of the world, such as parts of Africa and Asia, are prime sources of most of these illegally acquired organs. These regions are hotspots for traffickers because of two simple reasons; the people are more likely to part with their organs for an insultingly low sum of money, and they are less likely to get involved with the police. According to the Michigan State University, a man from India was promised up to $1,400 for a kidney, but received only $600 after the extraction. Meanwhile, the very same organ can be sold for more than $200,000 in the United States by preying on the recipientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desperation. No matter how you look at it, the illegal organ trade is too profitable an opportunity for these traffickers to pass up, and they are the only ones benefiting in the end. Now, knowing all of this, you might be tempted to think that this is an unavoidable and unfortunate reality to the practice of organ transplantation. However, the solution to these dire circumstances might just be around the corner.

In 2011, doctors performed the very first successful synthetic trachea transplantation in Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden. The organ in question was cultivated using the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stem cells around a polymer scaffolding. This may seem like just another scientific curiosity at first glance, but the implications centred around the ability to grow any organ, at will, without the need for a donor are too astronomical to ignore. First of all, this new technology straight out of the pages of a science fiction book could perhaps solve the organ crisis because, unlike their natural counterparts, artificial organs can potentially be grown in the tens of thousands without needing an equal number of humans to produce them. This capability to mass produce organs could prove to be a lifesaver for the people that are currently, or will be, in the waiting list, and might possibly remove the need for such lists to even exist in the first place. On top of that, a donor must have the appropriate blood type, health, and fulfil other medical considerations for an organ to even have a chance of being integrated into the body. Your body, however, will never reject what is basically its own cells. Cases of people dying due to failure in integrating an organ will practically be nullified should we switch entirely >> to synthetic transplantation.

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Yo u c a n n o t e x p e c t t o b e a l i v e t o h u g a n d congratulate your recipient after literally ( a n d m a y b e m e t a p h o r i c a l l y, b u t t h a t i s for a whole other ar ticle entirely) giving your hear t to them.

And perhaps, most importantly of all, the existence of lab-grown organs could single-handedly topple the criminal empires standing on the foundation of illegal organ trafficking. It is all a matter of supply and demand. Traffickers prey on both the scarcity of organs and peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desperation to jack their prices as high as they can. With the widespread availability of artificial organs, people would see no reason to acquire them illegally via the black market. Without this demand, criminals will lose the incentive to exploit the impoverished population of the world to stock up on supplies. Now, as fantastic and perfect this all sounds, currently doctors are only able to grow organs that merely serve a structural role such as the windpipe. The technology required to fabricate complex organs in high demand such as the kidney may still be years away. Nevertheless, some potential concerns might need to be addressed. The availability of synthetic organs could drive people to abuse this system by indulging in an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking and drinking their lives away, hoping to receive artificial organs over and over to replace the ones they willingly destroy.

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One might argue that we should let them. After all, is it not their own money and body that they are wasting away? However, growing an organ is a lengthy process, and there are only so many adequately equipped spaces to accomplish this. These acts of irresponsibility will leave fewer organs for those who are genuinely in desperate need of them, bringing us full circle back to square one. No matter how promising this technology might be, the best course of action might be to approach this with cautious enthusiasm, lest we stumble upon its unintended consequences. For now, however, we should certainly support the efforts of these pioneers in changing thousands of lives for the better. Or perhaps, sign up to become a donor yourself!

B E YO N D T H E L E N S WORDS EDWARD TANOTO ILLUSTRATION ANGELA THEODORA PHOTO JASON HENDRIKS

When I was five years old, I always sat down, looked admirably at my parents and wondered what it took for adults to make money. I imagined it to be hours of dedicated hard work, clever time management, disciplined saving practice, and peerless wisdom. I thought to myself how overwhelming but exciting it would be when I learnt all of these in a mere 16 years’ time and how I wished I knew what kind of knowledge I would have had then. I am now 23 years old and have had my arguably fair share of ups and downs. Along the way, however, I discovered that making money could be as easy as having a mobile phone. A simple camera lens holds more power than many realise. When used, it can act as an extension of our eyes. A breakout of a riot miles away from you can be made known and viewed via your mobile screen simply because somebody was there recording and taking pictures of it. The storage ability of the camera means that the incident may be easily recalled when needed. Finally, the ability to replicate the videos and photos while simultaneously sharing them with others means that they can never be entirely destroyed. This phenomenon has given rise to citizen journalists – ordinary folks like you and me who are able to record and share news almost instantly. Unlike professional journalists who seek credibility, citizen journalists seek the first coverage – they wish to be the first on scene and share the news online. This has given rise to both benefits and problems for people at large, which the following will now explain: Instant information is easily and readily accessible The Internet has done wonders when it comes to information sharing. Citizen journalists pride themselves at being able to provide news at the click of a finger. Certainly, this works well when we wish to get a glimpse of recent happenings and events that have occurred. However, an inherent weakness of citizen journalism is the frequent absence of an accurate description of the incidents. A video of an argument and subsequent fight at a neighbourhood block can tell us that a fight had happened but cannot tell us how it first happened, who or what instigated the fight, who was in the wrong or who were the aggressors and victims. In fact, some videos are intentionally staged to generate views and virality. Will we then be able to truly understand the problem at hand? Most likely, no. After all, recordings and still images can only tell so much.

ARTS, CULTURE & EDUCATION /

Multiple perspectives on an issue Ideally, citizen journalism allows for different points of view on a single problem. This individualised approach will then encourage a more thorough and unbiased exploration and understanding of the matter at hand. In reality, however, we see the same approach of citizen journalism being misused. Quoting and presenting findings and opinions that support only an individual’s view has also become commonplace. Be it homemade video evidence or a single uncredited research publication; people still fall prey to hoaxes, false theory, and unsupported claim that herald themselves as being the one truth. Contrary to an unbiased opinion, this practice encourages inaccuracies, misguidances, and onesidedness that are detrimental to constructive discussion. It seems almost paradoxical that the information-rich society today could still experience the very fallacy it is supposed to overcome. EVERYBODY can be a journalist Freedom of opinion has never been more supported than it is today. The ability to express yourself is conveniently at the palm of your hand. All it takes is a simple recording from the phone, uploading it online and voila! Both the good and bad of this fact can be expressed in one sentence: EVERYBODY can be an influencer. Yes, minority groups with no significant voice can now have their problems heard. They have more ways and media to express their woes, gather supporters, and demand just treatment for their problems. But this is also true for radicals. Extremists advocating for anarchy and terrorist groups preaching violent religious teachings can similarly utilise the power of social media and coverage to spread their views, gather supporters, and carry out aggressive attacks. With freedom of opinion being a double-edged sword, one should ask the question "Are the benefits truly worth the risks?"

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“A s i m p l e c a m e r a l e n s h o l d s m o r e p owe r t h a n m a ny r e a l i s e . When used, it can act as an ex t e n s i o n o f o u r eye s .”

Citizen journalism is still fairly borderless It is normal to be hooked to scandalous rumours and unexpected incidents. After all, our brain is hardwired to detect danger in a snap and to seek its solution. Scandals and conflicts are the dangers and us being hooked is merely our minds trying to figure out a solution to the threats. Citizen journalism allows for sensational news to get the spotlight, and we are bombarded with viral videos of a household’s menage a trois, celebrities’ downfall, businessmen’s bankruptcy, and a state official’s offensive remark. Arguably, this provides us with a way NOT to behave. However, one must also ask the question "How much is enough?" If view count is king, does that mean we are willing to intrude by any means necessary just to get a glimpse of the information at hand? Unfortunately, the answer to this is still very much in the grey.

It is easy to only understand things at face value. As a highly visual species, it is tempting to believe only what the eyes can see. However, what is precious and important is usually more than what meets the eye. Rome was certainly not built in a day; it was built by the belief of the people with a vision and desire for a place to call home. We too can move toward envisioning the world beyond the lens.

A TRICK OF THE LIGHT

WORDS CHIARA SITUMORANG ILLUSTRATION KATHERINE AUDREY BENJAMIN

You were the first person she met from Beyond. It was quiet, her feet scuffing the floor as she climbed up into the dustlight. There was nothing but yellow everywhere she looked. She heard the glint of silver as she tried to see past the haze; a whisper reaching her from behind the cloth – yellowed with age – that wrapped around you.

She said you faded in and out of focus when she first saw you, like a mirage, or a dream. You were young – you are young: skin like sheets of water, eyes rippling. You were her mirror image then. She was fascinated, she said. You are truthful but she sees only lies. She spent hours with you. You were a reverie that she wished to understand. She didn’t notice that the room had turned brown; light barely skittered across the floor anymore.

When you look at something for too long you don’t realise that they’ve changed. When she looked at you she only saw a reflection – her desire was so strong that she never saw the waves in the glass. You began to be replaced by an old woman: skin like dried petals, eyes sorrowful puddles. She jumped when the woman appeared, like she had suddenly woken up from a dream. She asked where you were but there was no answer.

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/ POEM

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dark now, too dark, to see the all-knowing eye that looks back at her, but she stays up there even now, looking for you. She is saturated with time, poor girl, and yet she remains in the dark, not knowing that there is only one of you; that there has only ever been one of you.

POEM /

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY

IQBAL RAKA ADITYA

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