Sceptical thinking on student activism: Idealism or self interest

In many country, student (college student) identic with student movement or student activism. Not only to making changes in university but student activism also have major role in broader political event. In Indonesia, student movement repeatedly play a key role to brought down bad government. But what motivate student to do something like that. Are they really care about this country. Or there is other motives behind them. Every action must have motivation.

Every people need a recognition by others because it will make them feel good. College student also need it in colleges lifes. According to my supervision there are three type of how student attract others attention in order to get some recognition and respect. First, some students enjoy to show off their opulence. For example car, cellphone and apparel. Second, some students choose to be the best in academic activity. That will make them feel smart and be recognized by others. Third, the other students prefer to be activist in campus. Join student demonstration and yelling critical oration will make them looked care, brave and, of course, cool. Similar case in high school students street fight (Tawuran) in Jakarta. High school student also want to looked brave, cool and recognition from others. The more you brave and got injured the more respect you get. Hidup mahasiswa, hidup rakyat indonesia (hidup rangga cipta).

You smoke you go to hell.....

Today, January 26th 2009 MUI has just announced fatwa about smoke prohibition. New task for the angel to record new type of sin. I don't want to argue about does smoke really proscribed (haram) or not. I will focus on how really MUI make their decisions. Is it true that their decision based on Islam perspective. Why smoke proscribed don't applied for everyone and every conditions? I don't going to answer that question instead I will give some fact. First, Indonesia is the forth largest population in the world with 222 million and about 80% of them is Muslim. Indonesia also the largest muslim population in the world. Second, cukai revenue from cigarette industry in 2008 is Rp74 trillion approximately. Remember that government levy high cukai to cigarette not because they care about their peoples health but because smokers are addicted or we can say "not very sensitive to price. This industry also absorb about 6.1 million worker in 2007. Tobacco industry also in 10th position biggest industry according to Susenas 2007.Third, Indonesia will held general election in 2009.

Based on all fact that I mention above, we can get some direction. Microeconomic basic theory said that in short run non-durable goods price and income elasticities is lower than long run. Because people need time to change their behavior. But how if there is some change in what goods is not-allowed to consume by your religion. In my opinion, MUI's fatwa will affect muslims consumption behavior really fast. Not only fast but also massive, 80% of smokers would stop to smoke suddenly. Moreover 6.1 million worker is in danger. So in the end cukai revenue will drop and unemployment will rise suddenly. That will be very bad condition for this country and also for government performance. They will lost their supporter and it can thretening victory changes in 2009 general elections. So what government can do. Can they intervence MUI's fatwa. Smoking is proscribed to muslims but in some note. I think that will be fair enough for both of them.

Being a Teaching Assistant

I remember one of my teaching assistant's story about why he being a teaching assistant (TA). He said that he loved to dedicated his life to serve for unversity and also he very proud to be part of it. Very emotional and inspiring story for me in that time. In the next semester I became a TA. And the one million question is, what is the motives for me for being a TA. First, I think I will get some respect and pride from everybody especially mw fellow. TA identical with smart and smart is sexy isn't it. Second, I will be paid for teach eventhough it not very big but more than enough to buy me lunch and cigarette. Third, I will be helped to recall my memory about some basics economic lesson which is I need to finish my minithesis.
I always believe that people moves by incentives. I think to tell emotional story in front of the class could be a motive. Some of your student will proud and give some respect to you. But just some of them, excluding me of course.

Economic Crises and My Life: Part I The Direct Effect

I won't talk about how US financial crises affected this whole world or how Indonesian Government reacted to prevent those economic downturn. Newspaper and Magazines gives you that news almost everyday. Here I'm gonna' shares how crises has ruined my life. First, value of my financial assets, which 100% consist of stocks, dropped almost 50% from initial value. Thats makes me to changed my strategy from daily trader to investor or I preffered to say, to extending my investment term. Second, as economic slowdown and production shrink, unemployment will increase or at least company won't hire more worker. Unfortunately this year I will graduate, expected BA economics in August. One additional jobless in Indonesia, a country with 10 million unemployment, it's not a big deal I think. Third, this crises also changed my consumption bahavior. As a student I'm very depend on pocket money from my parents. When economic growth is expected to be slow down, people will save more maney and consume less. They will cut current consumption for future consumption as future income expected to decrease. Unfortunately my parents behaves such as homo economicus. As consequences, me, which is my parent son, will follow their changing behavior. It's bad...it's sucks. I usually smoke when I feel bad but now I would rather just write it down. This is what I call an adjustment.