ICYMI Encore: Jubilee Is Making Debating Worse
Dec 24, 2025
In this discussion, Aymann Ismail, a Slate staff writer, delves into the viral Mehdi Hasan debate on Jubilee, revealing how the platform's approach to political discourse can be harmful. He criticizes Jubilee for turning political disagreements into attention-grabbing content that rewards extremism. Aymann highlights the problematic normalization of extremist views and the implications of click-driven media on public discourse. This insightful conversation unveils the tension between free speech and responsible dialogue in today's media landscape.
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Polarized Conflict As Entertainment
- Jubilee packages polarized conflict as snackable entertainment and then amplifies what audiences crave.
- That dynamic turns real debate into click-driven content that rewards performative extremism.
Clip Farming Incentivizes Extremes
- Jubilee repurposes long shoots into hundreds of short clips tailored for social platforms.
- That clip-farming model incentivizes extreme moments over genuine understanding.
Mehdi Hassan’s Harrowing Experience
- Aymann expected Mehdi Hassan to dismantle bad-faith arguments but found the session quickly devolved into racial assaults.
- Contestants openly urged Hassan to 'get the hell out' and declared brown Americans less American.