In Content and Constellations, we travel to the sprawling mega-city of Jakarta, Indonesia, to meet 19-year-old Gika - a YouTuber, seeker, and storyteller who is navigating his sense of self amidst the noise of social media, astrology, and community.
Jakarta is one of the most populous cities on Earth, a place of contrasts, cultures and constant motion. From jam-packed streets to bustling markets, from towering skyscrapers to neighbourhoods shaped by resilience and creativity, living in Jakarta means being part of a city continually redefining itself. Young people here grow up deeply connected to digital culture, and many turn online and to belief systems like astrology to explore identity, belonging and purpose.
A room, a laptop, and a story to tell
In our opening scene, we meet Gika in his Jakarta flat. Surrounded by posters, plants and the warm glow of city lights beyond his window, he prepares to film The Fortune Teller, a short documentary film that introduces us to his world. Through tarot cards and star charts, Gika searches for connection, not just to the universe, but to himself.
What do these symbols mean to him? And how do they help him make sense of his past, his hopes and the future he imagines?
Influencers, belief systems and the digital landscape
Astrology and tarot are ancient practices, but for Gika they're also part of a contemporary conversation shaped by influencers, algorithms and online communities. In the rich media article Influence and Influencers, we explore how digital culture affects what young people believe, share, and choose to explore online.
Jakarta's digital scene is vibrant - millions of people use smartphones daily, creating, consuming and remixing content. For young creators like Gika, this can be a source of opportunity and inspiration, but also a space where trends and beliefs can spread faster than they can be critically examined.
As you explore this storyworld, consider: what skills do students need to navigate digital culture thoughtfully? How can they recognise influence and decide what feels meaningful to them?
Thrifting, style and sustainability
Next, we join Gika at a thriving Jakarta thrift store - a place filled with retro fashion, recycled treasures and endless possibilities. Here, Finding your style - thrifting invites learners to reflect on questions of identity and sustainability.
Thrifting is not only a way to find unique clothing, it's an act of creative self-expression that also supports sustainable consumption. With fast fashion contributing to waste and environmental pressure worldwide, choosing second-hand can make a tangible difference. In the accompanying 360° video, we watch as Gika models his thrifted outfits, celebrating individuality one look at a time.
Jakarta: Between tradition, change and challenge
Finally, we step back to take in the cityscape of Jakarta. A thriving global city rich in history, culture and community, Jakarta also faces pressing environmental challenges, from flooding during rainy seasons to the impacts of rapid urbanisation.
In the article Global Cities - Jakarta, we invite learners to explore how Jakarta is evolving, how communities respond to change, and what it means to build a life in a city that never stops moving. Through Gika's story, students are encouraged to connect personal experience with broader global and environmental questions.
With Content and Constellations, Lyfta brings learners into a story that is both deeply personal and unmistakably global - one that encourages curiosity, critical thinking and reflection on identity, digital culture and sustainability.
Explore the storyworld now on Lyfta, and start conversations that help young people make sense of themselves, and the world around them.
