The Daily

How MrBeast Became the Willy Wonka of YouTube

Jul 5, 2023

Max Read, a journalist and contributor to The New York Times Magazine, dives into the fascinating world of MrBeast, YouTube's altruistic giant, Jimmy Donaldson. They discuss MrBeast's viral charity videos, like funding surgeries for the blind, and debate the ethics behind commodified philanthropy. Max highlights MrBeast’s unique blend of entertainment and generosity, while also addressing criticisms and the potential cynicism of influencer culture. The conversation reveals how MrBeast's approach resonates with young audiences, shaping modern activism.

29:37

Creator website

Episode guests

Max Read

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Rise of MrBeast

6min

The Junk Lord Phenomenon

8min

The Viral Sensation of MrBeast's Controversial Video

2min

Mr. Beast's Philanthropy: A Double-Edged Sword

11min

Geopolitical Tensions and Economic Strains

2min

Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has become a sensation on YouTube for ostentatious and sometimes absurd acts of altruism.

Today, Max Read, a journalist and contributor to The Times, discusses what the rise of one of YouTube’s most popular star tells us about the platform and its users.

Max Read is a contributor to The New York Times Magazine and writes about technology and internet culture in his newsletter “Read Max.”

Background reading:

Why do so many people think Mr. Donaldson is evil?
MrBeast is out to become the Elon Musk of online creators.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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