Archive for April, 2010
Pengotomatisasian Produk
Sumber gambar: i.zdnet.com
oleh Dr. Beni Bevly
Produk yang berfungsi sendiri dengan tanpa banyak campur tangan manusia, sebutlah produk otomatis, telah diproduksi lebih matang seiring dengan kemajuan teknolgi. Jenis produk ini semakin diincar baik oleh pebisnis untuk dikembangkan karena permintaan masyarakat secara global juga menigkat tajam. Mari kita lihat secara mikro trend ini dengan mengambil contoh sepeda dan alat batuan untuk membaca buku. Read the rest of this entry »
Indonesia’s dance with the titans
by Evan A. Laksmana
Many Indonesians were disappointed when United States President Barack Obama cancelled his long-awaited “homecoming” trip to Jakarta last week. He was, after all, the only American President Indonesians could boast about being “one of their own”.
But pundits quickly point out that the country should move on and be more excited instead to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Chinese-Indonesian diplomatic relations next month, during which Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is expected to visit Jakarta. Read the rest of this entry »
U.S., Indonesia must avoid false promises and pitfalls
Image source: World Politics Review
by Evan A. Laksmana
Before U.S. President Barack Obama’s scheduled visit to Indonesia this week was postponed, expectations in both Washington and Jakarta were running at a fever pitch, especially in anticipation of the possible signing of a “Comprehensive Partnership” between the two countries.
On one side, Washington is eager to strengthen relations with Southeast Asia’s largest democracy in the face of growing Chinese influence. Read the rest of this entry »
Happiness, positive pychology, and liberated learning
by Jennie S. Bev
The motivation and self-help industry is worth US$64 billion worldwide. People, who are seeking for a voice of reason and enlightenment, turn to print, electronic, and audio books and videos of motivational learning.
It taps a huge market for the optimization in human achievement, which can be attained more efficiently through positive psychology and liberated learning.
It is something to ponder upon pertaining to optimization of dissemination of democratic learning opportunities throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Read the rest of this entry »
The boy from Menteng
by Jennie S. Bev
Barack Obama is a different kind of president. He is not merely a president per se, as he is also a strong activist and a reformist. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “We are reformers in Spring and Summer, in Autumn and Winter we stand by the old, reformers in the morning, conservers at night.” And like most, if not all reformists, his presence makes many people uncomfortable.
His planned visit Indonesia on March 20-22, 2010, has sparked much debate. For instance, Hizbut Tahrir said it would rally 5,000 supporters to stage a demonstration in Surabaya. Read the rest of this entry »
Tradisi Black Friday: Memutar Roda Bisnis Lebih Kencang
Oleh Dr. Beni Bevly
Di penghujung tahun 2009 yang lalu agaknya merupakan fenomena baru cara penjulan retailer di Indonesia. Kita masih ingat bahwa beberapa retailer, sebutlah yang berada di Mal Artha Gading, Jakarta, menggelar Midnite Sale atau Belanja Tengah Malam. Mal dan para retailer yang buka sampai tengah malam ini menawarkan berbagai kegiatan, dari diskon 70% atas produk tertentu sampai mendatangkan penyanyi terkenal untuk menarik pelanggan. Di Tanah Seberang, fenomena ini bukanlah hal yang baru. Hal serupa ini terjadi setiap akhir tahun, yaitu satu hari setelah Thanksgiving yang telah dimulai pada tahun 1960-an. Read the rest of this entry »
Challenges for Indonesia’s foreign policy in transition
by Evan A. Laksmana
Ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Jakarta next month, pundits have been debating the nature and future direction of Indonesia’s foreign policy.
Given the strategic importance of the upcoming United States-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership – set to deepen ties in defence, economic, health, and education sectors – some are asking whether this visit could jump-start Indonesia’s “post-Asean” foreign policy. Read the rest of this entry »
Military postings are now less political
by Evan A. Laksmana
AWAY from the glare of the headlines, a fundamental shift has quietly taken place in the Indonesian military (TNI).
In the last three months, there have been at least four waves of personnel changes. The first, on Oct 23, involved 46 officers. Another reshuffle on Nov 17 involved 11 officers; on Nov 30, 72 officers; and Dec 29, 51 officers.
The transfers affected a wide range of commands and brought about changes in posts across the board, including those of the three service chiefs, the chief of general staff, the chief of military intelligence, the commander of army special forces (Kopassus), and the regional commanders of Papua, Sulawesi, Aceh, West Java and Central Java, to name a few. Read the rest of this entry »
Resensi Buku: Menembus Kejiwaan Kaum Radikal
Menembus Kejiwaan Kaum Radikal
Dimuat di Koran Jakarta, Kamis 12 Maret 2010
Judul : Politik Para Teroris
Penulis : Mutiara Andalas
Penerbit : Kanisius
Tahun : I, Februari 2010
Tebal : 132 halaman
Fenomena teroris(me) sungguh menjadi hantu menakutkan di tengah-tengah kehidupan masyarakat dunia. Sebab tidak terbayangkan, perilaku anti kemanusiaan dengan, seperti meledakkan tempat-tempat umum, bom bunuh diri, dan serangkaian aksi teror ditunjukkan di depan mata kita. Read the rest of this entry »
