The Reddit revolt highlights the future of the internet and the potential impact of charging users for access to API.
MrBeast's rise as a viral philanthropist raises ethical questions about the balance between philanthropy and personal gain.
The success of MrBeast has influenced the YouTube community, inspiring imitators and brand extensions.
The decline in trust and safety enforcement on social media platforms raises concerns about misinformation, shared reality, and democratic discourse.
Deep dives
Mr. Beast becomes one of the biggest YouTubers
Mr. Beast, the popular YouTuber, has become one of the biggest creators on the platform, drawing in a massive audience, particularly among young viewers. Known for his elaborate and expensive videos where he gives away large sums of money, Mr. Beast's channel has grown exponentially in popularity. His videos often feature contests or challenges where participants have the opportunity to win substantial cash prizes. With his success, Mr. Beast has expanded into brand extensions, such as his Mr. Beast Burger franchise. He has also been influential in inspiring a new genre of YouTube content creators who focus on activities like giving away money and performing over-the-top stunts.
The ethical questions surrounding Mr. Beast's content
One of the central ethical questions surrounding Mr. Beast's content revolves around the balance between philanthropy and personal gain. While he has gained a reputation for his generous acts, some critics argue that his videos are exploitative or overly focused on audience growth. The controversy particularly came to the forefront when he released a video titled 'A Thousand Blind People See for the First Time' which sparked a heated debate about the motivations behind his philanthropic acts. Despite these controversies, Mr. Beast's videos continue to resonate with his young audience, who appreciate the feel-good stories and the opportunity to be part of a larger movement.
Mr. Beast's influence and imitators
Mr. Beast's enormous success has had a significant influence on the YouTube community. His unique style of content creation, where he combines philanthropy with elaborate stunts and challenges, has inspired a wave of imitators. The success of Mr. Beast has also led to brand extensions like the Mr. Beast Burger franchise, where his influence extends beyond YouTube. His ability to understand and work within the YouTube algorithm has allowed him to remain a dominant force on the platform. Other YouTubers have tried to replicate his success by following similar formats, such as the 'junklord' genre, where creators spend large amounts of money on extravagant, often comedic activities.
The economics of Mr. Beast's content
While the costs associated with Mr. Beast's videos, such as curing blindness for a thousand people, can be substantial, it is believed that his videos are self-sustaining through ad revenue. The philanthropic nature of his content also differentiates him from other YouTubers who engage in similar stunts. While there is speculation about the allocation of funds, with some critics suggesting that he keeps most of the money for himself, others believe that he reinvests a significant portion of his earnings into creating more content. Overall, the financial dynamics of Mr. Beast's videos remain somewhat opaque, but there is a clear emphasis on reinvesting into making high-quality videos.
The relationship between Mr. Beast and his young audience
A unique aspect of Mr. Beast's content is the conscious awareness of his audience about the underlying business model. He explicitly highlights the transactional nature of his videos, with viewers contributing to the philanthropic acts through their viewership. This understanding of the role viewers play in supporting his philanthropic endeavors creates a sense of empowerment among young viewers, who see themselves as active participants in a larger movement. The transparency surrounding the financial dynamics of his content, along with the combination of entertainment and philanthropy, contributes to the strong connection between Mr. Beast and his audience.
Social media platforms and the decline of trust and safety enforcement
The podcast episode discusses the decline in trust and safety enforcement on social media platforms. It highlights how platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Meta (formerly Facebook) have loosened their policies and enforcement against misinformation, conspiracy theories, and content related to election integrity. The episode explores the shift in platform policies, the potential reasons behind it, and the implications for democratic discourse, shared reality, and the risk of offline violence. It raises concerns about the reduced investment in trust and safety and calls for increased transparency and platform accountability to address these issues.
The effects of reduced trust and safety enforcement
The episode suggests that reduced trust and safety enforcement could lead to a more dangerous and less shared reality on social media platforms. It notes that while the increased diffusion of conversations across various platforms may make moderation more challenging, it doesn't eliminate risks of misinformation and the spread of conspiracy theories. The discussion emphasizes the need to assess the consequences of loosened platform policies and the potential impact on the 2024 election. It also highlights the role of public pressure, legislation, and platform design choices in shaping the future direction of trust and safety enforcement.
Moderators on Reddit have shut down their forums in protest of a new policy that charges users for access to the site’s API. The revolt has put Kevin in child care-wisdom-withdrawal (RIP r/daddit) — and left many other users without their favorite subreddits. But does the incident say something more about the future of the internet?
Then, the MrBeast Philanthropic-Industrial Complex.
Plus: Platforms are already fumbling the ball on misinformation.
Today’s guest:
Max Read is a journalist, screenwriter, editor and the owner-operator of Read Max.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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