Yes, in fact there’s a whole genre of video essay where people explain how Mr Beast is problematic.
But to be fair, he’s just an extension of the last 30 years of reality tv. Lure some desperate people with a large sum of cash, make them suffer in front of the camera, edit liberally, air for the entertainment of millions.
Additionally, one of the most popular tv shows of the decade is a criticism of exactly this phenomenon. Mr Beast did a whole tv series that tried to be Squid Game unironically, completely missing the moral of the story and spawning another round of criticism. Something something Guy Debord, something Jean Baudrillard something.
At least Mr Beast is giving decent payouts… Meanwhile UK has stuff like get married to a stranger and pressured into having sex or just outright raped. There is no payout, all you seem to get is the wedding, a week holiday and a few weeks in an apartment block.
I never know which is which. I’ve read both The Society of the Spectacle and Simulacra and Simulation but I don’t think I understood any of it, so a vague allusion is the best I can do. I understood a lot more of the 2016 documentary HyperNormalization, which is a synthesis of both? (I understood neither, so I’m just guessing there.)
Some dude who agreed to one of these extended challenges released a video exposing the behind the scenes abuse they do to get you to stay as long as possible so they get more content from you. Their whole investment of time and hype isn’t worth it if you leave after a few days like you’re tempted to. It was pretty disturbing, I believe it’s still on YouTube.
The only set ups that aren’t as abusive imo are the ones that can only last so long and are in public. I believe one was whoever keeps their hand on the car the longest wins the car. That one is pretty harmless with a decent pay off.
Sounds like you haven’t watched Black Mirror. Most episodes are worth a watch, but for this conversation, I recommend starting with Series 7 Episode 1.
This guy has half a dozen people locked up for “content”. Is anyone else seeing how this is hugely problematic?
Yes, in fact there’s a whole genre of video essay where people explain how Mr Beast is problematic.
But to be fair, he’s just an extension of the last 30 years of reality tv. Lure some desperate people with a large sum of cash, make them suffer in front of the camera, edit liberally, air for the entertainment of millions.
Additionally, one of the most popular tv shows of the decade is a criticism of exactly this phenomenon. Mr Beast did a whole tv series that tried to be Squid Game unironically, completely missing the moral of the story and spawning another round of criticism. Something something Guy Debord, something Jean Baudrillard something.
At least Mr Beast is giving decent payouts… Meanwhile UK has stuff like get married to a stranger and pressured into having sex or just outright raped. There is no payout, all you seem to get is the wedding, a week holiday and a few weeks in an apartment block.
Huh, a hyper-reality reference out in the wild.
I never know which is which. I’ve read both The Society of the Spectacle and Simulacra and Simulation but I don’t think I understood any of it, so a vague allusion is the best I can do. I understood a lot more of the 2016 documentary HyperNormalization, which is a synthesis of both? (I understood neither, so I’m just guessing there.)
I think if you watched HyperNormalization you pretty much get the gist.
If the people are doing it voluntarily, and the minor(s) have parental consent, I don’t see the issue. I doubt they have no way to leave early.
Now, it may be problematic from a societal standpoint, that people want to do such a thing because they don’t make enough money.
I feel like there are various pieces of cinema pointing out why this is very fucking problematic
Like…?
obligatory Folding Ideas behind the scenes for anyone thinking “how bad can a celebrity production company be?”
Squid games for one.
Hunger games. I remember a Youtuber predicting Mr Beast will end up organizing some Hunger games!
He already ripped off Squid Game.
Did they place a bet on that? /s
Not that I know. Maybe he should?
All those Saw movies and similar?
Cinema?
Black Mirror
I call this the “no literal gun pointed at head” fallacy.
thats a nicer name for it than what i had in mind
That’s precisely the point of the proplem: he exploits misery and dreams of wealth in a society that by design creates misery and glorifies money.
Imagine someone neeeding the money to save an ill relative. Would you still call it"voluntarily"?
And all those kids who dream of getting rich by suffering on video, what kind of value is that promoting?
Some dude who agreed to one of these extended challenges released a video exposing the behind the scenes abuse they do to get you to stay as long as possible so they get more content from you. Their whole investment of time and hype isn’t worth it if you leave after a few days like you’re tempted to. It was pretty disturbing, I believe it’s still on YouTube.
The only set ups that aren’t as abusive imo are the ones that can only last so long and are in public. I believe one was whoever keeps their hand on the car the longest wins the car. That one is pretty harmless with a decent pay off.
if you can remember the name of the video or channel, I’d like to give it a wat h
That’s nothing new.
It would be pointless if they had no way to leave early. The entire premise is that they have to voluntarily endure the situation for the reward.
Sounds like you haven’t watched Black Mirror. Most episodes are worth a watch, but for this conversation, I recommend starting with Series 7 Episode 1.