Ferry Irwandi at UI: Communication is not just a message, but a tool for creating reality

DEPOK – Content expert and PhD candidate, Feri Irwandi, gave a stunning public lecture in front of students at the University of Indonesia (UI). In the relaxed but profound session, Feri dissected the essence of communication which went far beyond just the exchange of information, labeling it as a “superpower” to form reality in the minds of others.

Communication: reality engineering tools

Opening her lecture, Feri challenged the conventional definition of communication. For him, communication is the main instrument in creating and changing reality. He gave an example of how a piece of paper has a value of Rp. 100,000 just because it is communicated effectively and is agreed collectively.

“Each of us has our own world and perception. Good communication skills are used to influence, manipulate, and even manipulate the reality that is in the head of the audience,” said Feri. He stressed that through communication, a person can build a reputation, reach for wealth, or face social disasters such as cancellations.CANCEL CULTURE).

Understanding the “lazy” brain

Feri explained that the main key to being a great communicator is understanding how the human brain works. According to him, the human brain is extraordinary but at the same time “lazy”. The brain tends to look for shortcuts or the fastest way to process information.

If an information is delivered boringly or irrelevantly, the audience’s brain will automatically ignore it. On the other hand, when the communicator is able to trigger curiosity, the brain will work extra quickly to absorb data, numbers, and even complex information in a short time.

Why can communication fail?

In the discussion, the question arises about communication failure. Feri explained that communication skills can be “meaning nothing” (means nothing) when dealing with high resistance or cognitive bias of the recipient of the message.

“No matter how good you talk, if the audience already has antipathy or mental limits from the start, your message will not penetrate,” he explained. On the other hand, communication becomes “everything” (means everything) when there is no barrier or resistance, where every word can escalate the interest and belief of the audience.

Ears are more important than mouth

One of the most crucial points conveyed by Feri is about the listening portion. He emphasized that the most important organ in communication is not the mouth, but the ear.

To achieve the maximum communication goal, one must be able to do the mappingMapping) to the audience. Feri suggested giving more hearing portions (about the first 5-10 minutes of the meeting) to tear down the wall of resistance and understand what the other person really wants to hear. By listening, a communicator can determine the right tactics, strategies, and momentum to convey his message.

Case Study: Dismantling Myths and Beliefs

Feri uses interesting examples of public confidence in mystical things (such as pocong or witchcraft) to test his communication theory. He explained that attacking a person’s belief directly with the label “hallucinations” will only strengthen their resistance.

The right strategy is to enter into their experience, provide safe space, and then slowly offer a new frame of mind (e.g. neurological or scientific explanation). “Humans will believe more in the truth if they feel the conclusion comes from their own thoughts, not forced by others,” he added.

Conclusion: Be a wise communicator

In closing, Feri Irwandi reminded the students that being a good communicator means being a wise “manipulator” in a positive sense—that is, those who know how to move others towards the truth without feeling taught. In today’s digital era, the ability to maintain originality while carrying out social responsibility is the main challenge for every communicator.

This public lecture provides a new perspective for UI communication students that strategies and tactics are just tools, but deep understanding of human psychology and empathy in listening are the keys to victory in every interaction.