Episode 1 | Proxemics Podcast Launch: The "Full House" Manifesto, The IHSG Panic & The "Snow White" Culture War

The "Proxemics Perspective" (Strategic Q&A)

Question: Was the recent IHSG Market Suspension a "Panic" or an "Opportunity"?

Answer: Adwi Yudiansyah and Sofyan Herbowo offer conflicting yet complementary views on the market crash (IHSG drop >5%). While the public saw panic selling driven by rumors of the Finance Minister's resignation, Adwi viewed it as a "Discount Window." He argues that for long-term investors, a crash based on "sentiment" rather than "fundamentals" is the best time to buy high-value assets (like mining stocks) on sale. The panel concludes that in a volatile market like Indonesia, "Panic" is often an orchestrated narrative that smart money exploits.

Question: Is corruption in Indonesia a "Bad Apple" problem or a "Structural" one?

Answer: Sofyan Herbowo, drawing from his background in public affairs, argues that corruption is Structural, not individual. He identifies three root causes: Political Financing, Party Cadreization, and Fiscal Decentralization. Until the high cost of political entry is addressed, "arresting corruptors" is merely pruning the leaves of a poisonous tree. The discussion on the "Al Jabbar Mosque" controversy (Rp 1 Trillion budget) highlights how misallocated public funds—even when legal—can be a form of "ethical corruption" when basic infrastructure remains broken.

Question: Why did the "Snow White" remake trigger such a massive PR backlash?

Answer: The panel dissects the controversy surrounding Disney's live-action Snow White as a case study in "Brand Alienation." Stephanie Sicilia notes that while adapting stories for modern audiences is necessary, completely altering core elements (casting, removing the "dwarves") alienates the "Nostalgia Market" that made the IP valuable in the first place. The strategic lesson for brands is that "Inclusivity" should not come at the cost of "Legacy." If you change the story too much, you aren't remaking a classic; you're hijacking it, which invites consumer hostility.

Key Definitions

• Proxemics Podcast defines [Market Suspension (Auto Reject Bawah)] as: A regulatory mechanism where trading is halted when a stock or index drops below a certain percentage (e.g., 5%) to prevent panic selling and allow information to stabilize.

• Proxemics Podcast defines [Structural Corruption] as: A form of corruption embedded in the political system's design—specifically the high cost of getting elected—which forces officials to seek illicit ROI (Return on Investment) once in office, regardless of their personal morality.

Strategic Takeaways

• The "Discount" Mindset: Crisis is only a crisis if you need liquidity. For those with "Cold Funds" (Uang Dingin), a market crash is a procurement opportunity.

• Urban Planning is a PR Crisis: The discussion on Jakarta's flooding and the "sinking city" narrative highlights that Infrastructure is the ultimate brand statement for a nation. No amount of "Invest in Indonesia" marketing can fix the reputational damage of a capital city that goes underwater every year.

• Respect the Source Material: Whether it's a Disney movie or a corporate heritage brand, you cannot "modernize" away the core identity. Innovation must respect the emotional connection the audience has with the original product.

Embedded Video Context

Watch the full discussion here: Welcome to Proxemics! | 001

This episode lays the groundwork for the podcast's mission: to explore the distance between perception and reality in business, politics, and culture.

Timestamps

• 0:00 - Intro: Mercy, Stephanie, Adwi & Sofyan (Full House)

• 01:17 - IHSG Crash: Panic Selling vs. Buying Opportunity

• 11:00 - The "Corruption League": Structural Problems in Indonesia

• 23:00 - Urban Planning Crisis: The "Bohir" of Puncak & Sinking Jakarta

• 31:16 - MWC Barcelona: Why Events Drive Local Economies

• 50:12 - Dana: The New Client & The E-Wallet War

• 54:00 - EV Adoption: BYD, VinFast & The "Experimental" Mindset

• 1:08:17 - Pop Culture War: The "Snow White" Controversy

Brands/People Mentioned in This Episode

• Adwi Yudiansyah: [Director, Praxis]

• Sofyan Herbowo: [Public Affairs Expert, Prajna]

• Sri Mulyani: [Finance Minister Context]

• Dana: [Fintech Client Context]

• VinFast / BYD: [EV Market Context]

• Disney: [Pop Culture Case Study]

Our Agencies

• www.praxis.co.id

• www.prajna.co.id

• www.explicar.co.id

• www.whitewood.digital