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What makes music so loveable is that you do not necessarily have to be a musician to enjoy it. It is relatable, and has been a constant in human civilization, and it continues to change and adapt. In books, music finds its place in both fact and fiction. The titles featured in this selection are available for purchase in Kinokuniya Bookstores in Jakarta.
Last night, Whiteboard Journal hosted our 7 We Discuss session. This month, we talked about many different aspects of what we have come to know as the “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) culture. Lots of intriguing ideas were exchanged throughout the discussion, which have been summarized in the following points: - When you can’t find things that suit your preference and/or needs, you begin to consider making them on your own. - Economical motivations are also common (i.e. the need to save money). - “Yourself” is the heart of the widely used acronym, DIY, as it emphasizes the creator’s independence. - However, the most important part is a person’s involvement in the process, further adding a personal touch to the product. - But is it possible to purely “independent” in the sense of not relying on other like-minded individuals? There were participants who thought that establishing a network among DIY-ers could threaten the very idea of DIY. - However, there were also participants who were in favor of a community that would act as a support group to sustain the movement. In this case, independence is achievable on individual and collective levels. - A question was raised regarding the standards of DIY products. Are standards even necessary? Or does the appeal of the DIY culture lie in its absence of standards? - A sense of accomplishment is one of the plus points of engaging in DIY activities. - When speaking of the DIY culture, one must learn how to distinguish between a “DIY product” and an “invention.” DIY products have less to do with the originality of the idea behind them, and more to do with the creator’s initiative to be involved in the process. - Another point worth highlighting is the necessity of sustaining the availability of resources (i.e. the materials needed to make various products). Without the materials, it would not be possible to make more things. - With regards to technology, an interesting argument was made about the irrelevance of the “analog vs. digital” argument in discussions on the DIY movement because technology is always evolving. What’s important is how those changing technologies are utilized. It’s about using what is at your disposal at the present moment. - This is then linked to the time-based nature of DIY goods. There is something is immediate about them. - From a musician’s perspective, DIY is about being control (e. g. recording one’s own music in one’s own room.) However, although the process itself could be controlled, the consequences of releasing the end product – if it were to be released – cannot be controlled. - Increased effort = increased support for the cause. In other words, when a lot of effort into a certain product – be it a thing, event, or movement – it is highly possible that others would want to sustain it. - It is dangerous to stress the “handmade” element of a DIY product because it does not necessarily guarantee the quality of the product. - DIY products are very subjective. Their value cannot be measured according to monetary standards. They are often segmented, and not designed for the masses. - A point was raised regarding net labels – independent online distributors of music – that break the barriers of copyright. - The DIY movement is both a subculture and a counterculture – depending on the motivation of the creators. It depends on whether one simply make something for one’s own purposes, or is there a vision to influence others to do the same. - Ideally, the DIY movement shouldn’t be tied to commercial interests (especially in terms of profit), as it would defy the purpose of establishing something that is “for the people.” However, in cases where “the profit” is used to finance the needs of the people (be it for the continuity of the makers movement or charity), exceptions are made. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated, so please feel free to tweet us @wjournal or send us an e-mail to with the subject title “We Discuss #7.” We would like to thank those who came and contributed to the first We Discuss of 2014. We hope to see you again at future discussions! Look out for announcements and related updates on next discussion. Check our website, Facebook page, as well as our Twitter and Instagram accounts!
Bookstores and libraries have yet to pop at the impressive rate that cafes and restaurants do in Jakarta. But this does not necessiraly mean that this city's book lovers have nowhere to go. Located in the Kemang area is Reading Room, a cafe/library/bookstore that could quickly become a reader's sanctuary. Established by writer and filmmaker, Richard Oh, the place offers an eclectic book selection.
D. I. Y. Culture by Michael Kimmelman “A generation or more ago, aside from what people did in their home or from what’s roughly called folk or outsider art, culture was generally thought of as something handed down from on high, which the public received. "Today it’s made and distributed in countless different ways, giving not just governments and institutions but nearly everyone with access to the Web the means to choose and shape his or her own culture, identity, tribal fidelities — and then spread this culture, via Youtube or whatever else, among allies (and enemies) everywhere, a democratizing process. The downside of this democratization is how every political niche and fringe group has found a culture via the Web to reinforce its already narrow views, polarizing parts of society despite the widened horizon.” Kimmelman goes on to conclude that the “myth of an avant-garde serves the same market forces avant-gardism pretends to overthrow.” Do you agree with Kimmelman’s arguments? Do you think that downsides of the democratization enabled by the D. I. Y. culture can outnumber its advantages? Do-It-Yourself Education Is the Ideal by Anya Kamenetz “It [education] must be radically affordable, near-universally accessible, diverse, and endlessly customizable to students' needs. Universities can simply get out of the way of this movement, or they can guide an increasing number of students toward self-direction by certifying and assessing prior learning and multiple paths toward mastery of a subject, and by offering learning resources, mentorship, support, and even physical meeting spaces, all at low cost and on an as-needed basis.” What are the possible challenges of movements that support “customizable education”? How achievable is it in a society that still holds on to conventional institutional standards? The Revenge of Print by Eric Obenauf “I believe that book publishing will re-generate in the near-future into two separate models: the corporate model, which strives to attain the widest possible ‘readership’ in as short of a time-span as possible by use of electronic devices, interaction, and gimmicks; and the print model, sustained by independent, university, and re-branded imprints of large houses, that believe as Eggers, in reading as a ‘beautiful rich tactile experience,’ and who are satisfied with a book selling five thousand copies.” Apart from the old “corporate vs. indie” and “quality over quantity” argument, what are the other advantages of independent publishing (as well as other productions such as record labels, fashion labels, etc.)? Making It by Evgeny Morozov “[Mark] Hatch assumes that online platforms are ruled by equality of opportunity. But they aren’t. Inequality here is not just a matter of who owns and runs the means of physical production but also of who owns and runs the means of intellectual production—the so-called ‘attention economy’ (or what the German writer Hans Magnus Enzensberger, in the early sixties, called the ‘consciousness industry’).” Morozov suggests that the D. I. Y./Maker movement does not necessarily guarantee freedom and equality. What are your thoughts on that? Making Good / The Art of Repair by Philip Ball “Equally detrimental to a culture of mending is the ever more hermetic nature of technology. DIY fixes become impossible either physically (the unit, like your MacBook lead, is sealed) or technically (you wouldn’t know where to start). Either way, the warranty is void the moment you start tinkering. Add that to a climate in which you pay for the service or accessories rather than for the item – inks are pricier than printers, mobile phones are free when you subscribe to a network – and repair lacks feasibility, infrastructure or economic motivation.” “Some feel this is going to change — whether because of austerity or increasing ecological concerns about waste and consumption. Martin Conreen, a design lecturer at Goldsmiths College in London, believes that TV cookery programmes will soon be replaced by ‘how to’ DIY shows, in which repair would surely feature heavily. The hacker culture is nurturing an underground movement of making and modifying that is merging with the crowdsourcing of fixes and bodges – for example, on websites such as ifixit.com, which offers free service manuals and advice for technical devices such as computers, cameras, vehicles and domestic appliances.” Ball brings up an important point, in that he sheds light on the importance of re-creating (or fixing) rather than creating (or beginning from scratch). How do the two activities intersect, and how important are both in the D. I. Y. culture? Tuesday, January 28, 2014 7—9 pm Kinokuniya Plaza Senayan (near the language section) Jl. Asia Afrika 8 Sogo Plaza Senayan Lt. 5 Jakarta 10270 Look out for updates on our Facebook page and Twitter account! If you’d like to share your opinions, or if you have friends who’d like to share theirs, please sign up via e-mail with the subject title “We Discuss” at ! If you have comments or questions, tweet us .
Despite the diversity and excitement often found in big cities, there is also a lot of stress. In the case of Jakarta, most of the stress comes from the horrendous traffic jams that limit movement. The lack of proper sidewalks and parks makes it uncomfortable to walk – forcing people to walk in shopping malls. Tama Salim's explores the challenges and possibilities of Jakarta's walking culture in his series.
Following the success of the Nike Flyknit Lunar+1 comes a new and improved version of the lightweight sneakers. To ensure maximum comfort and flexibility, Lunarlon foam has been included in the design of the . Its appeal lies in the technology's ability to correspond to the wearer's natural movements. The combination of the innovative Lunarnon cushioning and the support of Fluwire cables integrated into the upper makes this latest addition to the Flyknit family is a must-have for both casual and ambitious runners alike. The (men) and (women) colorways will be available at selected retailers starting early February.
