Wahana : Tridarma Perguruan Tinggi
Vol 77 No 1 (2025): Wahana Tridarma Perguruan Tinggi

Social Media and the Commodification of Reactions: Batik’s TikTok Live and Economic Attention

Haryanti Haryanti (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Octo Dendy Andriyanto (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Herni Retnowati (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
13 Jun 2025

Abstract

This article explores the phenomenon of reaction commodification in live batik sales broadcasts on TikTok, a practice gaining significant popularity in Indonesia. In the context of the attention economy, users' emotional reactions—whether comments, virtual gifts, or expressions of awe or anger—have become valuable economic assets. This research employs a qualitative approach using netnography and content analysis of three prominent hosts: Farhan (72 Batik), Rama (Batik Nawilis), and Tulus (Sanarakarta Batik). The findings indicate that these hosts do more than just sell; they act as digital cultural performers who craft narratives, visual scenarios, and manipulate audience emotions to capture the spotlight and generate income. This practice of reaction commodification carries complex social and cultural implications. On one hand, it opens new economic opportunities for local cultural practitioners. On the other hand, it threatens the authentic meaning of batik as an intangible cultural heritage, risking its reduction to mere spectacle. This study highlights the dynamics of local cultural representation within the global pull of digital platforms. It also offers a critical reflection on the ethical boundaries and future directions of digital cultural policy. Finally, this article paves the way for further research on the relationship between the attention economy, digital performativity, and the sustainability of local culture on social media.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

whn

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Humanities Education Engineering Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Journal Wahana Tridharma Perguruan Tinggi Received research papers and literature review studies on Multidisciplinary sciences consisting of applied science, social sciences and humanities, education, psychology, law, engineering, health and pharmacy, technology, management, economy, accounting and ...