KOMPAS.com – “Good looking, please check the balance”. You’ve probably heard this sentence in your ears lately while surfing on TikTok, Instagram or Twitter.

The assessment of media experts from the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) on the trend of showing ATM balances and why there are so many viewers is one of the most popular news of the Tuesday edition of Sains Kompas.com (08/10/2021).

In addition to checking ATM balances, other popular science news revolves around the observation of experts from around the world who say Indonesia may become a hotspot for new flavors like India.

Scientists all over the world are not only observing the delta variant today. Several other variations can be observed.

Also read: [POPULER SAINS] WHO and epidemiologists do not recommend a Covid-19 vaccine certificate | The dangers of instant noodles for health

Here is a summary:

1. LIPI experts say about the trend of showing ATM balances

The Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) media expert Nina Widyawati said the trend of showing assets like currently overcrowded ATM balances has been around for a long time.

“Basically, people like to show off. This is because of the indicator of a person’s success measured by property,” said Nina, responding to the trend of showing wealth by checking ATM balances on social media when contacted by Kompas.com became. Tuesday (08/10/2021).

Nina said that in some communities property or wealth is measured by property in the body, such as gold jewelry.

To go to a shop or a party, one even has to wear gold jewelry, even gold teeth.

“The depiction of gold as a symbol of wealth and fortune is self-esteem, so certain people take the time to borrow jewelry so they can be viewed as rich or successful people,” added Nina.

Meanwhile, in the era of modernity, the symbol of success in urban communities has shifted to branded items, both mass-produced and custom-made, usually intended for the high-end (upper class).

Read the full statement here:

There’s a lot of showing off about ATM balance checks on social media, LIPI experts say

2. Why do so many people watch the ATM balance check?

Nina explains that the audience runs away from everyday life or escape from the world.

In the past, Nina said, escapism was practiced through soap operas, and in Indonesia it was an event or a soap opera show.

“Now there aren’t many soap operas that sell well, and viewing is also limited in space and time, while viewing treasure exhibitions via digital media is not limited in space and time,” explained Nina.

Meanwhile, according to Nina, the largest consumers of any exhibition or real estate exhibition content need research to identify demographics and geography and their implications.

Social media culture has directly fueled this phenomenon. Nina said social media made this condition easier. Because it’s in nature User-generated content ie everyone can produce content.

“Consumers are showing their wealth more often on social media than in the previous era,” added Nina. Nina said that in some communities wealth, or wealth, is measured by physical property, such as gold jewelry.

Read more here:

The trend of showcasing ATM balances on social media, why are there so many viewers?

3. Indonesia threatens to become a hotspot for new variants

World health experts are concerned that Indonesia, now the center of transmission of Covid-19, is becoming a “hotspot” for a new variant of the coronavirus to emerge.

The expert’s reasoning lies in the mirror from India, which was once the epicenter or center of transmission of Covid-19, where the Delta variant originated that is now infecting the world.

“An uncontrolled epidemic can always be a hotspot for variant mutations,” said Aris Katzourakis, Professor of Evolution and Genomics at Oxford University in the UK.

“Two of the most difficult variants we face today, alpha and delta, are most likely related to poor public health interventions (in the UK and India).”

“Dealing with the epidemic in Indonesia must be a priority to reduce the risk of new variants emerging.”

Read the full presentation here:

Due to the high transmission of Covid-19, Indonesia threatens to become a hotspot for a new variant

The spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 continues and produces many new variants. Some of them are better able to transmit the virus or are immune to vaccines.

So far, scientists have focused on studying the Delta variant, which is currently dominating Covid-19 cases worldwide and has skyrocketed the number of additional cases.

But apart from deltas, scientists are also keeping an eye on other variants to see what might happen one day.

Anything? Read here:

In addition to Delta, lambda and B.1.621 variants are also observed by scientists

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