Mixed Signals from Semafor Media Can YouTube Debates Bring America Back Together? with Jubilee’s Jason Y. Lee
Apr 11, 2025
Jason Y. Lee, Founder and CEO of Jubilee Media, discusses his innovative YouTube platform known for its engaging debates on polarizing issues. He shares insights on how their format fosters 'radical empathy,' encouraging understanding of diverse viewpoints. The conversation touches on the impact of their viral debates on societal divisions, including the censorship by the Biden White House. Lee emphasizes the importance of discomfort in growth and explores strategies for brands to authentically engage with the creator economy.
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Jubilee's Origins
- Ben Smith first encountered Jubilee as a BuzzFeed-esque platform creating videos about Israelis and Palestinians trying each other's ideas.
- He was struck by Jason Lee's background: Obama intern, Wharton grad, Bain consultant turned YouTube entrepreneur.
Jubilee's Mission
- Jubilee's core value is creating content that betters the world through human connection and dialogue.
- Their acronym, PUKE (Provoke Understanding, Create Human connection), reflects this.
Flat-Earther Empathy
- Jason Lee defends featuring flat-earthers, highlighting a widow who connected with her dying husband over this belief.
- He emphasizes radical empathy, understanding why someone holds a belief, even if it's factually incorrect.