High-tech mass media has idolatrous effect in Indonesia<\/p>\n
By Limas Sutanto<\/p>\n
MALANG, East Java (JP): The magical influence of popular
\nentertainment figures on their fans is obvious in Indonesia. At
\nthe end of June, Astrid Herrera, an actress in a popular
\ntelenovela Si Cantik Clara, mesmerized the masses in some big
\nIndonesian cities.<\/p>\n
Before Herrera, other popular artists like Corraima \"Kasandra\"
\nTorres, Bon Jovi, Mick Jagger, Phil Collins, as well as Andy \"The
\nCondor Hero\" Lau, were given rousing, almost hysterical,
\nwelcomes. What does this phenomenon mean? Is there a lesson in
\nthis?<\/p>\n
Idol. That's the key word to answer the question. A thorough
\nstudy would probably prove that commercial public figures are
\nidolized not only by urbanites, but also villagers. Why? Because
\ntelevision, the most efficient way to make an idol, has become a
\nclose intimate friend of nearly every Indonesian.<\/p>\n
It is human nature to idolize. Throughout history people have
\nrequired idols. In human psychic development, the process of
\nmaking idols is a normal event. The process is similar to
\nidentification, another normal psychosocial process. Therefore,
\nfor someone to interdict another for idolizing an artist or
\nprominent figure is wrong.<\/p>\n
But idolization, especially if it is more unconscious than
\nconscious, can be harmful. Seen from psychoanalytical point of
\nview, idolization involves the superego, which, according to
\nFreud, has an authoritative and deterministic influence in
\ncontrolling human behavior. Thus, if people are shaken up by
\nidolization, their ability to judge the real world will be
\ndistorted by an excessive preoccupation with their idols.
\nMoreover, if the idolization is related to a historical state or
\nnational leader, the distortional effect can bring about an
\nunrealistic cult of the leader.<\/p>\n
Francis Bacon, therefore, criticized the existence of idols
\nand idolization. Idols and idolization are close to the idea of
\ncult and with the act of deification. The Latin word idolum,
\nmeans gods or goddesses. According to Bacon, people may have
\nidols, but the process of idolization should not distort people's
\nability to freely judge facts realistically.<\/p>\n
In order to eliminate the distortion, Bacon sets out four
\nkinds of idol which should be avoided. The first, idola tribus,
\nis an idol which is created by hasty and general conclusions
\nwithout an adequate empirical base.<\/p>\n
The second, idola specus, is created as a result of prejudice
\nand deification, which have their roots in people's narrow-
\nmindedness.<\/p>\n
The third, idola fori, is formed by a person who has no
\ncritical opinion of major trends within society. The person loses
\nhimself or herself in the embrace of public opinion, drifting
\nwith societal trends without an adequate effort to judge
\nanything for themselves.<\/p>\n
The fourth, idola theatri, is the most dangerous idol in the
\nmodern era. The idol is created by the penetrative influence of
\n\"systematic and big scale drama\" presented by contemporary mass
\nmedia. The drama is essentially artificial social engineering,
\nserving as a tool to achieve certain political, economic, social
\nand cultural interests.<\/p>\n
The idola theatri gains its full capacity in the wired world,
\nbecause of the empowerment of high-tech mass communication.
\nPublic opinion, attitudes and behavior as a whole can be warped
\ntoward the political, economic, social and cultural aims of the
\nowner of mass communication equipment.<\/p>\n
The essential lesson is the necessity to build adequate
\nawareness of the idolatrous harm mass media can have. Television
\nis the worst offender because of its powerful effect on every
\ndimension of life. To counter the effect, Indonesian families
\nshould learn the differences between the constructive and the
\ndestructive effects of the mass media.<\/p>\n
Limas Sutanto, a psychiatrist and psychosocial observer,
\nalumnus of the medical schools of Gadjah Mada University,
\nYogyakarta, and Airlangga University, Surabaya.<\/p>",
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