MrBeast and the Toxic Culture of YouTube

[@axellis8333]

"I often feel like I've sold a part of my soul to the content machine... Now onto our sponsor, Better Help."

[@WisecrackEDU]

Yep.

[@kewgardensstation]

@@WisecrackEDU So you don't feel badly about committing an obvious breach of business and social ethics and morals to make profit? Yet you have the balls to create content about other KZbinrs violating those same ethical boundaries. Yup, typical Millennial/ Gentlemen Z morality.

[@larsencba6921]

Solid segue, no notes.

[@bwal9374]

@@kewgardensstationI think he literally said in the video that he feels bad

[@soulcleaner3578]

​@@kewgardensstationHe has to make a living somehow. Also just because he's talking about the system as a whole doesn't mean he's messing with Mr beast so calm down.

[@JKenjiLopezAlt]

Just letting you know I appreciate you all and the effort you put into making quality content that actually makes me think and teaches me things.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Dude - so nice to hear from you. Gearing up to make your garlic noodles soon!

[@pbkobold]

Your late night snack head cam videos are the peak of KZbin spectacle for me!

[@comradestannis]

@@WisecrackEDU I'm a communist and I find your videos incredibly good when it comes to educating people on capitalism.

[@Marquis-Sade]

@@comradestannislol

[@lilsand.]

@@WisecrackEDU If you are think that being when can if do that of is where wasn't can be without it. Do when bring is of it can you up is of there? Or can bring when be of that is? When they are there is the in of doing with them they are that ones. So if are they that one is you and without then? When do so can if it was there when it will didn't can then how does it went to that before there is on timing inside without them?

[@MorbidRexx]

KZbin: we feel that our advertisers don't want to be associated with your content due to its nature of not being child friendly. also KZbin on children friendly videos: here's a hentai pseudo-gambling phone app ad.

[@LJ-hk4tv]

Pirate everything, Ad Block everything, trust nothing.

[@brujodeathmetal]

@@LJ-hk4tv hoard all the physical media too/pirate more :p

[@deantaylor6128]

You don’t think this is deliberate..? KZbin’s 25-45 figures include the 5-12 year old viewers. For creators chasing this market, KZbin’s algorithm is basically a Skinner Box incentivising content that is more catchier than scripted TV, but innocuous enough that parents don’t stop kids watching it.

[@One.Zero.One101]

It's interesting, I've never thought about it this way. Algorithm is the boss and we're all striving to please the boss. Even movie studios are making films based on what the Netflix algorithm recommends. So it's not just KZbin, dozens of industries are making decisions based on the algorithm. So when people make a joke about the Almighty Algorithm, it's really not a joke anymore. The algorithm is our new overlord.

[@Level0NPCs]

Simple: The company making the hentai gambling app is paying KZbin, so gets to dictate the terms. KZbin doesn't want to show their content? They don't get paid. The KZbin creator is getting paid by KZbin, so KZbin dictates the terms. They want to show something KZbin doesn't want to show? They don't get paid. KZbin has a line they won't cross on either direction - in this case outright porn - but as long as that line isn't crossed, they're obviously happy to negotiate. Power flows in the same direction as the money.

[@richertrealestate]

Three takeaways from this video: 1) I’m old in KZbin years 2) I’m not missing anything by never seeing a MrBeast video 3) Wisecrack is the only channel I’ve ever seen my boy Søren quoted

[@eudaemonia7679]

Many good youtubers talk about philosophy kierkegaard is one of the most quoted philosophers for he is the grandfather of existentialism

[@richertrealestate]

@@eudaemonia7679 see Takeaway #1: when I graduated with my Philosophy degree, “KZbin Mobile” wasn’t around yet. The top KZbin video had 5 million views. 😂 Based on Takeaway #3, I obviously don’t come on KZbin for philosophy. Outside of my business, my kids mostly use my account so as this video discusses, the algorithm only shows me a narrow set of content - which involves a lot of Mario Bros and film reviews. I was hoping that with the levity of my comment, it was apparent that I wasn’t suggesting that KZbin is devoid of Kierkegaardian content. Rather, I was alluding to yeh fact that the algorithm isn’t old enough to know my personal academics and interests because this isn’t a medium I would use for that. It can only see what this KZbin account is used for: not what’s in my library ;).

[@HeckmanBrad77]

ok Boomer

[@comradestannis]

Søren Mau? He's great.

[@comradestannis]

@@eudaemonia7679 Kierkegaard is over-quoted.

[@seadawg93]

I don't remember all the details, but wasn't there kind of a big scandal around BetterHelp and their sketchy fine print? EDIT: OMFG, I just remebered hearing that the fine print says they don't really check on the licensure status of their therapists. I did NOT know they got in legal trouble for selling the mental health data of users to major advertisers! WTF!? That is so far beyond unethical it makes my head hurt!

[@sety409]

they were selling information even tough they said they wouldn't.

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

Yeh, and all Wisecrack has to say is "but we gotta pay the bills uwu" and I'm like... you can and should do better. BetterHelp is also linked to *that* country doing *the* thing... you know the one.

[@Aaron-kj8dv]

@@satyasyasatyasya5746 Literally, like self awareness makes it better somehow. It's soooo lazy and infuriating because they can be so self righteous at times and then turn around and shill shady ass corporations. Like as long as you make it a self depreciating joke then it's actually okay.

[@nikbates23]

ya peak irony talking about ethics while peddling that crap

[@thedudewhoeatspianos]

What's your alternative?

[@scottsteele791]

I often listen to wisecrack while doing other things. Life as a new parent doesn't offer much free time, but my off days balance. My one year old is getting critical thinking skills

[@WisecrackEDU]

As a newer parent I totally get this.

[@RedBombX]

Parent of a 3yr old here. I'll often have wisecrack on during chores or long walks for exercise. This vid really held my attention, I thought the YT algorithm/analysis breakdown was really interesting. Do more explaining "behind the scenes" like that to increase retention? 🤷‍♂️ "Stay Humble, bby!!!1!!"

[@scottsteele791]

@@RedBombX I've found these videos do. Chores become the background noise from muscle memory and I focus on the vocals. Not easy at first but folding laundry and washing dishes takes time but not much though.

[@venusianmoonchild]

The important bits drop into you by osmosis

[@comradestannis]

@@WisecrackEDU God, I *want* to be a new parent.

[@THELIFEOFVIEWS1]

The fact someone has enough money to slime someone’s house then buy them a new one, while they’re people who are homeless blows my mind.

[@ziglaus]

Really? Wait till you hear about people actually funding their own space flights

[@gesshoku92]

You should check out Mr. Beast philanthropy where he takes ad rev from dumb videos and builds villages wells roads and treats people with easily curable but costly procedures.

[@comradestannis]

@@gesshoku92 lol He should be lobbying for social services, not just doing it himself, because the government can do it better.

[@FoxDie77777]

he does it mostly on africa@@comradestannis

[@mcbumped]

​@comradestannis everyone knows that it's better to do it yourself and record it for the views no matter how ineffective the help will be... that's why billionaires do it too

[@le2382]

The algorithm is run on human tears and shattered dreams.

[@WisecrackEDU]

This is maybe the most precise description of the algorithm I've seen.

[@le2382]

@@WisecrackEDU thanks! ☺️ your video was my inspiration!

[@xHarpyx]

You really shouldn't be taking Better Help sponsorships, my dude.

[@chilled99]

Are you giving money via Patreon?

[@mybrotherjames8579]

I actually think KZbin is the most supportive and most toxic of social media communities.

[@WisecrackEDU]

In our experience this is true. Every day on here is the best of times, and the worst of times.

[@40g33k]

​@@WisecrackEDUit's like watching Wisecrack... It's the best of times... Yeah that's pretty much it😅

[@TheShepherdFilms]

Very true words, why I normally stick to Wisecrack, Dropout, 99% of DND content, and other learning channels, just not the "actual" TLC the learning channel it hasn't been about learning since before Y2K.

[@HanmaHeiro]

@@40g33k You can say it's the worst of times too since they speak on many injustices in our world

[@thisdudegotreal]

Twitter, fb and insta are the most toxic. Then tiktok and discord. Then reddit and yt

[@arturouribebertolotti1169]

This video aged like fine wine... except for the BetterHelp sponsor, that thing is very much spoiled

[@EnigmaticGentleman]

An important detail I think you've missed is that people have started to use this platform to self publish animated shows of all things, and most of those have been quite successful. Its clear that KZbin still does reward genuinely creative content, just that the bar is so out of reach for almost anyone.

[@russetwolf13]

And they said animated content is dead on youtube... Because it is, the successful ones are essentially animated by independent teams making TV grade content.

[@iantingen]

There’s a difference between rewarding with renown and rewarding with a viable living, which I think is the greater problem Michael et al are probing. That’s not to make light of what you said, but another example of how algorithms extract attention and turn it into money, for the person who’s running the algorithm primarily.

[@jacobnapkins1155]

I make a lot of animation on KZbin extremely grateful ti be able to

[@jacobnapkins1155]

​@@russetwolf13it id crazy that even a lot of small indy animators on KZbin called it quits recently meat canyon

[@MaxIronsThird]

Successful is a strong word, that's like saying a illustrator with 100K followers on Twitter is successful, even though they're actually an intern, in a completely different field while going to college and living off of cup noodles.

[@TheSuperQuail]

The irony of being sponsored by betterhelp while examining toxic KZbin trends. Fascinating.

[@UnknownDino]

Is that really ironic in this case, since he is helping us become more aware to the phenomena while betterhelp is supposed to help us too? I'm not sure what irony is now

[@zeny5159]

@@UnknownDino The irony is that BetterHelp is a terrible site that has been in many controversies before

[@deannaabeyta1855]

​@UnknownDino betterhelp is a scam service that sells patient data to advertisers and most of the therapists on call aren't actual licensed therapists

[@user-tx9nw3qn8n]

@@UnknownDinoin the past better help has been known to be pretty terrible. For example selling patient data, not checking for licensing of their practitioners etc

[@spht9ng]

@@UnknownDinothe problem is morals and principles. The doofus who made this video obviously has none but wants to have his cake and eat it too by putting the focus on other KZbinrs when he does the SAME THING

[@Leopoldshark]

Is it also damaging from the viewer side of things, where people expect entertainment like this to be "free" and are further divorced from the production of said entertainment. This didn't start with KZbin, but with TV. Most people understand the economic model as the traditional producer-consumer model, where a producer makes a product and the consumer buys it. With entertainment, it is a more complicated producer-consumer-viewer model where the consumers are the advertisers and the viewers have no financial stake in the product. There's a similar conundrum in free-to-play games where the majority of players don't pay anything to play, so the game is designed around creating a mildly inconvenient but addicting game experience for the non-payers while getting people to pay extra for things that would be expected in the traditional pay-to-play model.

[@yootx]

When did everyone start saying "addicting" instead of "addictive"?

[@Sardonicus]

​​@@yootx They've done it a very long time, much to my dismay. "Addicting" has long been accepted as being as correct as "addictive". I personally hate "addicting" because it's so much more harsh sounding (phonetically speaking, not connotatively) than "addictive". If English were a language with prescriptive rules, I would shout from the mountains that "addicting" should only ever be used as a gerund (?), and that as an adjective, only addictive is correct-for example "he is addicting me to ice cream" fine but otherwise "ice cream is addictive". Addictive just sounds so much better than addicting.

[@dontmisunderstand6041]

@@yootx Addictive has a more medical connotation. When it's a habit you choose to do and could stop at any time but is designed to try and make you keep engaging, that's addicting. When not having it causes your body to send the "I'm dying, fix this" signal, that's addictive. One of them describes actual addiction, the other describes the result of manipulation.

[@solepsis]

@@yootx lol probably about the time Latin stopped being taught in schools. It’s a Germanic language, we should use the Germanic ending -ing (I almost said suffix, which is Latin)

[@Sardonicus]

​@@dontmisunderstand6041 Got a source for that claim? Because I Googled just now and can't find any mention anywhere of a connotative difference between "addicting" and "addictive", and actually came across several places that claim "addictive" is technically more correct than "addicting" regardless of context... but not one source can I find that says "addictive" is a more medical connotation than "addicting". In fact, when I look up "addictive" in the Farlex, it gives several definitions from several dictionaries, none of which mention a medical connotation, but if I look up "addicting" it re-directs to the noun "addict" and doesn't give any direct definitions anywhere for "addicting"...

[@lizzeh]

Mr. Beast pitch "I did a real life trolley problem"

[@ray5549]

I could definitely see a day where he wants to reach new extremes with his content. Maybe not to that extent but you get my point.

[@gfuviddisf]

If youre interested in that, Vsauce made a video like that already

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

If he could generate clicks by partaking in human sacrifice and cannibalism, I have no doubt he'd do it.

[@gfuviddisf]

@@rhythmandblues_alibi take your meds

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

@@gfuviddisf hey, he's the psychopath but go off I guess 👍

[@axellis8333]

When you were talking about the 'Algorithms' I was reminded that while we are all up in arms about AI generated art, everyone on KZbin is regularly enjoying AI generated content. Not because the people making it are AI, but because they will only create content that is approved for consumption by AI. (Similar to other algorithm based platforms).

[@WisecrackEDU]

This is a very good point, and something we definitely try to get at in the video. Namely, that humans are now just thinking like algorithms when they brainstorm content.

[@axellis8333]

@@WisecrackEDU It was absolutely a message you were sending to me so good job!

[@ryepooh5052]

you have to be the dumbest person on planet earth xD

[@Scarshadow666]

Very true - and very scary how most people don't realize when algorithm mentality seeps into everyday life. I've seen a lot of artist videos/content that talk about how making art to chase the algorithm damages their mental health, so they post less, leave social media entirely, and/or stick to creating things that they want regardless of what the algorithm approves to help heal their mental health.

[@mukesh_bombay]

interesting timing on this one

[@planzproductions2631]

“Large bus versus sad dog” is a 10/10 one liner

[@chimecha7960]

Speaking of toxic, you took a Better Help sponsorship

[@ShadeCandle]

Exactly. I stopped the video immediately upon seeing that. No respect for channels who endorse them at this point in the game.

[@nickp8186]

I don’t know what’s wrong with them, but I’m happy you said something because I was going to give them a shot, now I’m going to do a little more homework, thank you!

[@chilled99]

@ShadeCandle You already clicked on the video. Your act of rebellion and cancelhood is frivolous. You may as well watch the rest since your click has been counted.

[@chimecha7960]

@@chilled99 A good way to respond to the hypocrisy is to stop watching actually. Clearly, the information provided by the video is immediately devalued by that sponsor. "Cancelhood" makes you sound like a chud lol

[@spht9ng]

@@chilled99 well they can always add a downvote. You’re not very smart

[@luisB_OG]

Just don't, use better help

[@soniashapiro4827]

Mr Beast videos are so boring. You Aren't.

[@paulgarcia6259]

Both are boring af.

[@Taycatte]

4:11 Not my child, but me! I spent the first week of my life in a NICU incubator! Cube babies represent!

[@WisecrackEDU]

Glad you made it out of the cube!

[@ThisFinalHandle]

_OR_ I spent my first days alive in a cube and won. Alternate clickbait comment for the algorithm.

[@superp25]

Stop promoting Better Help please.

[@Fallingslowly09]

I'm a bit out of touch I guess. What's wrong with Better Help?

[@Shaita]

Somebody asked what's wrong and you didn't respond. What's the point? If you know something important please throw the warning clearly

[@criticality2056]

​@Shaita oh, raging fraud. There has been lawsuits.

[@callahanh14]

I'm at the point personally where the dread of losing my job has been completely overshadowed by my rage at this system. Take back the means of production! Eat the rich!

[@HylianFox3]

This. Well, I have been unemployed most of my adult life and have zero desire to enslave myself to any sort of traditional "job"

[@mystuff9999]

@@HylianFox3 Ah, yes, staying unemployed. That‘ll show them 👌

[@Mcgif21]

@@HylianFox3So what do you do that is productive and brings values to OTHERS?

[@titusorelius9458]

I don't think people really understand what that looks like.

[@Mcgif21]

@@titusorelius9458 It’s just empty words, who is REALLY taking the means of production in that scenario? There is no nuance or practicality in that statement which is itself a dated understanding of the world born in the industrial age when the wage gap was a thousand times worse than it is today.

[@NthReview]

I think we treat MrBeast with kid gloves far too much. "Don't hate the player man, hate the game." Or we could just hate both? How long have we, as a platform, as a nation, as a society, let things go simply because of the word of law? We're literally about to let Donald Trump run for office again despite him clearly participating in sedition just because the 14th amendment could have been worded just a little bit more clearly (or the process of getting people into SCOTUS were a bit more clear?) MrBeast makes lowest-common denominator content. So many people can say they've seen a MrBeast video but how many can remember what it was? For years, Jimmy toiled in the desert not knowing the "secret" to the KZbin algorithm and he spent so, so long doing random, spectacular, frankly, clickbait-y content until he earned just enough success with one stunt to fund the next one, to fund the next one, to fund the next one. When AI comes to replicate KZbin content, MrBeast is going to be the first out of a job because his work is clearly designed to get people experientially addicted. He has taken the vapid reality TV show format and distilled it down further than anyone ever could, to a molecular level, because KZbin as a platform is the only judge. He has crafted his own narcotic and he sells it hundreds of millions of views at a time. It's not that someone else wouldn't have cracked the code if he didn't exist. But he sits at the bleeding edge of this "race to the bottom" while gliding right past ethical boundaries and refusing to engage in any kind of thoughtful communication or civic engagement except to say that he's just doing it because the algorithm allows it. You hit the nail on the head: he keeps saying he wants to make the best videos, but you look at his videos and despite their spectacle, they accomplish so little. The Paul brothers occupy the same niche: they've found a way to become commercially successful and they use that as their leverage to justify their existence. Unfortunately, you go to Newtuber starting grounds and they take the Pauls and MrBeast seriously. Those forums and subreddits aren't about making the best possible videos, of creative exploration, they're about exploitation and how gross one can be before the filter clips a bit closer to the content you make. They dismiss luck and hunker down on the idea that success on KZbin is a done deal if you simply make MrBeast like content. Jimmy is only half a notch away from the shady underbelly of "content creators" that steal others' content or use automation to generate content because they trade in the same currency: views/impressions/revenue dollars. MrBeast is just as much a villain in this as anyone else and so long as critics keep being nice to him, he's going to keep laughing all the way to the bank.

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

Exactly. I didn't realise until you pointed it out that the reason more people don't call him out on his bullshit is down to defamation laws and Jimmy's deep deep pockets.

[@amp4240]

👍👍 This comment is dead-on. Extremely well written. If this was a blog post/you have a blog, I'd read/like/subscribe in a heartbeat. I'm older than the MrBeast demo, but my son is getting to be that age. I'm vigilant about the content that he consumes and we are starting to have conversations about media as a whole; what it means to him and to society.

[@jgamboa]

Great video. That Kierkegaard quote had me literally stop what I doing (while watching this) to process it. Money being the desire that "solves" all problems. Even in the hobbies that I have specifically to not convert leisure into labor, I'm struck by how often I think, "If I were to buy this thing, it would let me enjoy this more." Capitalism seeped into my ability to enjoy something I consciously tried to avoid being a "side hustle"

[@HylianFox3]

ugh, there's few phrases I hate more in modern society than "side hustle" It further plays into the notion that we all have to be constantly productive to the point of self-exploitation

[@jacobturnerart]

Mr Beast is basically The Joker in Burton's Batman - flinging money at a greedy crowd from a parade float.

[@thepickles8833]

And then everyone dies of fartgas

[@BrianJones-wk8cx]

This channel is one of my favorites for the very fact that your content is so deep, so thoughtful, and so thought-provoking. I never passively consume any of your work, rather I sit with Notes open to take notes, and as a general rule I am moving away from passive content for things that are more substantive, more enriching, and more intellectually fulfilling. This piece was no exception-it was an excellent deep dive into the physics of KZbin and the current state of content creation economy, and I’m left with the tension around how we resolve this idea of attempting to outrun the infinite algorithm … Thank you for your work!!!

[@WisecrackEDU]

Damn this is an incredibly kind comment!

[@Thebettermartyr]

Well put

[@copiumkiller]

I agree, I LOVE when content adresses the root causes and try to solve them, instead of just symptoms. That is why when I make my content, I usually ask to myself "how this will positively impact people AFTER consumption?" Sadly YT, people really dislikes things shaking up status quo, to take a different perspective.

[@jadersanctem]

Agreed, this channel is basically my lunch break every day

[@jeffplatt4194]

@@WisecrackEDU It's exactly the kind of comment you deserve. You made an excellent point about passive viewing on KZbin, and when I think about the channels I follow, most of them make me thing and learn. I recently bought "The Burnout Society" because of you.

[@inconsistent604]

Talks about losing his humanity then advertises betterhelp😂

[@georgewambushVO]

Michael is 6'1" I'm saying it with confidence, but I truly have no idea

[@SamRossman]

The Internet has sold its soul video sponsored by betterhelp makes you part of the problem here my dude

[@thatradiogeek]

Does BetterHelp still sell their patients' private info to the highest bidder?

[@williamlitten2444]

"People" are just things. Money is all that matters. I feel trapped in this human centipede of a culture.

[@lunaticfae4415]

Damn that betterhelp sponsorship is in really bad taste for this topic. Yikes

[@larkmanclark7222]

I really do sincerely appreciate it when wisecrack “dumbs down” some of these more complex philosophical concepts/arguments made by sociologists and philosophers( as I feel they often overcomplicate their language which makes it really hard for a regular joeshmoe to understand and really take in what they are saying)

[@dontmisunderstand6041]

In general a lot of academia does this intentionally as a method to gatekeep both the knowledge and their profession. Specificity is part of the reason, but it's also true to say that specificity is not the primary purpose. In essence the language of academics has been molded by a need to feel more important and special than they really are, there is an active intent to communicate poorly; that is to say, they're literally trying to prevent as many people as possible from understanding what they're saying.

[@blobyeol27i72]

@@dontmisunderstand6041 no. It's because you have to name concepts that are specifics to your field. Same could be said for "non academic fields" like plumbery, etc. But there is no intent to "communicate poorly" or "gatekeep" or "feel important and special" (you're making terrible assumptions, are you projecting ?) and that's why education and vulgarisation exist : spread complex concepts to everyone. The problem is when education and vulgarisation are gatekept or only accessible for some elites (especially in the US, your system is terrible), that's what is "preventing as many people as possible from understanding what they're saying". *it's not a language/big words problem, it's an education system problem*

[@dontmisunderstand6041]

@@blobyeol27i72 If you'd actually read and understood what I said, you'd realize how ridiculous your response is. Brush up on your reading comprehension skills, then re-read.

[@calliezzz]

Michael has brought up the fact that there is a Patreon available, but what he didn't mention is the new $1 a month option. Instead of criticizing Wisecrack for seeking sponsorship with BetterHelp, why not consider contributing a buck a month.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Thank you very much for saying this. And I do hope that if people love our content but hate sponsors, contributing that $1 a month (25 cents a video) would make a huge difference longterm.

[@cass.n.m]

@@WisecrackEDU the majority of us don't hate sponsors in general; we hate this specific sponsor. A nordvpn or honey ad read wouldn't have prompted this backlash I don't think. Excellent video though aside from the glaring contradiction of the subject matter with this sponsor.

[@WisecrackEDU]

@@cass.n.m All I can say w/o getting in trouble is that we are working very hard to align with sponsors that we like and we're pushing our sales department to help us with that.

[@darejohnson2251]

Brb, starting a band and nameing it Gweneth Paltrow vs. Gweneth Paltrow

[@WisecrackEDU]

What genre you thinking? To me it sounds like a good name for a math rock band.

[@darejohnson2251]

Either Midwestern emo or Mathcore

[@Thebettermartyr]

I’d listen

[@yourfriendlyinternetmeatshield]

Are you gonna go the route of the "Okilly Dokillys" and band members cosplay Qwenenth Paltro? Maybe all fight clubbed out? I'm not sure what math core is, but it sounds interesting and probably exactly what I think it is.

[@CortexNewsService]

​@@darejohnson2251why does that make so much sense

[@Kishuy]

Of all possible sponsors... Better Help... Please look into them, seriously.

[@Bojoschannel]

A friend of my friend has this channel/podcast on social media where he describes himself as a "creative" and invites other "creatives" to do the usual upper class mexican podcast thing, which is talk about self improvement and some other boring stuff, he also does some photography and videos along some motivational content. Now what i find amazing is that he is constantly sharing "creative" content from other "creative" content creators, stuff like: "10 things that all creatives do, 5 obstacles all creatives have to face, top 3 signs you are a creative" and a lot more of that. As to the content itself, you couldn't distinguish his "creative" work, be it pictures, videos or quotes from that of all the other users he shares or use the same "creative" label. Algorithms have penetrated so deep inside us, that even creativity is beginning to be standardized, crystallized and rendered totally uncreative because that's what the algo deems as "creative".

[@Secret_Takodachi]

😂 it will never stop being funny to me how obsessed the affluent are with weaving a personal narrative about their commitment to "self-improvement" as a cornerstone for their own success. As a pilates instructor I can say with 100% confidence they aren't improving themselves BY THEMSELVES & they also tend to be some of the most weak willed students in my classes. Fortunately, their insecurity means they're also the most likely to pay me to teach private classes so 🤷 I tolerate them. But man.... the affluent are right to suffer from imposter syndrome. Most of them are imposters, if they hadn't been born into the economic class they're living in: they would NEVER achieve half of what they do. The worst part is? They don't even recognize their free time as a privilege. They take for granted the fact that they have a lot of built-in flexibility in their schedules & just assume everyone else has the same.

[@based980]

betterhelp is a scam

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

It also has ties to THAT country, doing THAT thing right now... But WiseCrack be like "but internet hurd, we need money soaked in blurd, uwu" at this point, they've used that excuse so long, I'm kinda considering unsubbing. They show no signs whatsoever, of putting their money where their so-called ideals, are.

[@TheTransitmtl]

​@@satyasyasatyasya5746I'm not shilling for betterhelp but as far as I know it's owned by Teledoc. One of the founders was born in Israel. Is that the link you are talking about? That's a pretty faint link. Is betterhelp in any way supporting the IDF?

[@paulgarcia6259]

Yeah, they suck. My first counseling session was a terrible experience. The therapist was late, and in their pajamas looking sloppy. It really made me feel like I didn't matter.

[@dogbreathTK]

bad for therapists too

[@deannaabeyta1855]

They also assigned a homophobic "therapist" to a gay person then proceeded to try and cure him of his gayness

[@milkdrinker7]

I'm now imagining Michael trying to do a serious ad read for raytheon or exxon.

[@jpkotta]

This kind of reminds me of the Neil Stephenson sci-fi book Snow Crash. In the book, people figured out the ur-language that existed before the Tower of Babel. The language can directly access low level functions of the human brain ("hacking the brainstem"). Turns out the ur-language is real, it's basically attention and spectacle and engagement, and some people are getting really good at speaking it.

[@oceanwater6887]

This comment made me want to read snow crash. I’m listening to it after this video.

[@inuendo6365]

Snow Crash should be read in schools alongside Brave New World and 1984. It's getting scary relevant to the tech side of life now.

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

I'll have to check out that book, thanks!

[@GardenVariety5000]

I feel like MrBeast is this weird product of KZbin the same way Brittany Spears is of the music industry. Incepted at a young age by the system that uses their talents and notoriety.

[@MikeCaputo1]

This is one of my favorite Wisecrack videos. Seemingly more than usual, I love the deep synthesis of different ideas: I thought I knew Marx pretty well, but you gave me some Das Kapital ideas that I wasn't aware of. And Kierkegaard was coming in hot with amazing foresights. I hope to watch this video again to go deeper on some of these ideas.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Thanks so much, incredibly kind of you to say and really appreciate the support.

[@copiumkiller]

Do you watch Second thought? If yes, what do you think about it?

[@MikeCaputo1]

@@copiumkiller No, I haven't seen this: I'll have to look it up!

[@tolulopeagboola640]

still putting up better help ads is crazy

[@nickp8186]

Why? No one has explained why but a lot of people have suggested the same; I legitimately am out of touch and don’t know what’s wrong with them.

[@tolulopeagboola640]

@@nickp8186 just search it up on youtube they sell your mental health data to facebook

[@IncendiarySolution]

"And he was never seen or heard from again"

[@orions221]

Better help is a scam. They’ve paid millions to the FTC for consumer protection violations. Stop taking their money!

[@filippo8189]

I literally unsubscribed from Mrbeast after watching this

[@Riko0027]

You make some of the best content on KZbin. I wish all of the children hooked on the KZbin machine could comprehend what you're saying here and realize that "I don't need to go to school, I'll be a KZbinr" isn't a viable life strategy.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Thank you very, very much. And agreed.

[@ThisFinalHandle]

I'm a terrible passive listener but I'd do my best to partially pay attention if Michael wants to do a video where he counts to 100,000 (with ads).

[@RickReasonnz]

I remember when VSauce did a live vid of him staring in to the camera while reciting prime numbers. Got far too many views than that concept deserved.

[@copiumkiller]

@@RickReasonnz People are weird.

[@kristophermichaud4467]

One man's American Dream is another thousand people's American Nightmare.

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

Legitimately underrated comment.

[@Revelationac444]

That was such a great video, Ive always been interested in this topic but when I saw this video length I didn’t really want to watch, but I thought lets see what he got, I ended up watching the whole video, not because I wanted to see what happens at the end but because the content and the analysis were really interesting and it gave me insight on how these KZbinrs are brainwashing young generation. Thanks Wisecrack.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Thank you so much for this, and really appreciate you sticking around for the whole thing.

[@hoboastronaut5513]

what about better help selling its costomers info?

[@Mach1048]

Oh? Mr Beast? They guy that makes Videos exploiting Poor people, or Desperate people? That guy?

[@gudduentertains]

Yep, that one.

[@doomdoot6731]

You know, as someone who is most definitely a passive consumer of your content: There's a LOT of knowledge and thought provoking impulses that I've gotten from your videos. And I'm not just saying that to make you feel better. Even when putting the video on the second screen while e.g. playing a game or something, I always find my attention drawn back to the video. Which sometimes sucks for the game I'm playing, but imo definitely speaks to how good the stuff is that you guys put out.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Damn, this is so nice of you. Thanks you.

[@hallorette5059]

Achievement culture: A long time ago I opted out of trying to achieve anything in life. It doesn’t seem to be directly a much of a source of happiness, fulfillment or peace.

[@andresnyc3767]

Are you saying that trying not to achieve much in your life has led to more happiness or the complete opposite?

[@copiumkiller]

Good for you - trying to transcend society's BS. IMO concentrating on enjoyable process is much better. Math and biology support it.

[@hallorette5059]

I don’t “try” to not achieve anything in life. I don’t try to achieve anything. Life is less stressful that way and I measure success in a much more attainable way; am I happy? If so, I’m successful. Trying or not trying to achieve things doesn’t factor into it.

[@andresnyc3767]

@@hallorette5059 I love your lifestyle approach, but sadly for some reason I don’t have the guts to do such a thing

[@mystuff9999]

@@hallorette5059Sounds great. But what does that mean? Specifically? In what situation does „not trying to achieve anything“ change the way you’d act otherwise? What makes you happy?

[@fivemonkeees]

I'd much rather watch your channel than Mr Beast

[@LonkinPork]

the conceptual irony of this video having a BetterHelp ad rocks so hard

[@WisecrackEDU]

the question is . . . how is it ironic? we literally state in this video that the KZbin business is hard, and sometimes it destroys our souls.

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

@@WisecrackEDU then save your souls. if you think you have one even metaphorically, treasure it more than some internet job... you can and should do better.

[@LonkinPork]

@@WisecrackEDU Oh no, I'm with you Wisefam. I might have misspoken calling it "irony," but my initial thought was "The medium is the message," and then you cited that same quote later in the video and I felt validated BetterHelp sucks, but not being able to keep the lights on sucks even more. I know whatever contract the channel has with them was signed much too long ago to do anything about it right now, and I appreciate all you guys do here despite the bleakness of it all 💖

[@WisecrackEDU]

You've been so supportive in the past so I take your concerns super seriously - without getting in trouble I will say we are hoping to begin finding some new sponsorship opportunities in the coming year, but also, if we don't have sponsors we don't make money and we can't keep the channel alive. I understand wanting us to be ultra committed to our ideals, but I also like being able to take my child to see a doctor because of the health insurance that I get via this job. @@satyasyasatyasya5746

[@WisecrackEDU]

Ah I get what you're saying and appreciate the clarification! @@LonkinPork

[@Ozymandiaz1260]

I stopped watching when the red haired guy left, quite awhile ago. The channel randomly popped into my head so I decided to check out what you’re doing, and two minutes into it I get this Better Help ad read. Really disappointing. I’ve guess I’ve not been missing much.

[@WisecrackEDU]

That's fair but I wish you evaluated us on the basis of our content as well.

[@Ozymandiaz1260]

@@WisecrackEDU I mean, I wouldn’t know, because I stopped watching after the ad read. I’m not down with the current virtue signaling cancel culture zeitgeist, and I don’t really care if an entertainer says a no no word or makes a rude joke or whatever. But the last time I looked into it, BetterHelp was genuinely a really bad company. They sold private medical information. They hired non licensed therapists. Therapists tried to pray with atheists who didn’t want that. There was a guy who said his therapist tried to get him into conversion therapy to make him straight. Pretty much all the companies that do KZbin sponsorships suck in their own way, but shitty overpriced earbuds are on one level, and BH is on a completely different one. Maybe people are lying about some of the crazier stories for some reason, I don’t know, but they were definitely sued by the FTC, and there was a huge controversy about the whole thing that you couldn’t have possibly missed. I’ve noticed that several big KZbinrs have been doing BH sponsorships recently, and seeing it here was just kind of lame, you know? People have claimed to have experienced actual harm from this company.

[@DefnitelyNotFred]

Liked and commented because this is the kind of content that I like. It's unfortunate the BetterHelp sponsor, but it is the world we inhabit, no avoiding. Video idea, could Stoicism help us combat this modern influx of prepackaged sensations?

[@hihonee]

please do a longer video on "filter world"! i would love to hear you go more in depth! its also hapening in the film world. theres so many bio-pics now for example - not becuase i believe more directors are just so passionate about bio-pics but they tend to leverage the fame of someone people already know to tell a regerditated story that generates profitable content. theres a major flattening effect there for sure. i love your bracelet michael. where's helen!?

[@Oneiromancer._.]

Very funny with that train interview, how the first question that didn't pop into the head of a philosophy major was: Why? 😂Maybe it did but wasn't vocalized, I wouldn't have fared any better

[@WisecrackEDU]

You're not wrong.

[@matturner6890]

Making this video while taking money form BetterHelp and shrugging it off like that is truly scummy. Unsubbed. Also... Redbar's watching!!

[@WisecrackEDU]

Shrugging it off?

[@matturner6890]

@@WisecrackEDU Again, a short reply with no actual argument. Why take the money if you know they're in the wrong? Is this really the *only* way you can make money??

[@WisecrackEDU]

It is incredibly hard to make enough money to stay afloat right now. @@matturner6890

[@matturner6890]

​@@WisecrackEDU that is true for 99.9% of people. It doesn't justify taking money from a company like BetterHelp. C'mon! I'd even stomach Raid: Shadow Legends and still watch! Anything but this.

[@tiranul86]

32:36 "i hope that we're giving you something" yes, thank you for all the depression and hopelessness

[@nnnnnn496]

A Random Diss 100 years from now "You have an attention span of a Mr. Beast Video."

[@comradestannis]

Y E S

[@jamesdrummond7684]

no one is going to remember Mr Beast 100 years from now.

[@ticketforlife2103]

Aged well

[@DistrustHumanz]

Wisecrack hocking BetterHelp is nothing more than a more intellectual Mr Beast.

[@itchimo82]

I am poor right now, but I love Wisecrack and actually came searching for this video because it didn't pop up in my feed. It's really brave to be so transparent about the professionalization of KZbin, and how this channel is compelled to engage with it. I've never watched a Mr. Beast video. You mentioned Ren and Stimpy, and Mr. Beast reminds me of that goofy, hyperactive energy once reserved for ANIMATED subjects.

[@lionheart4424]

This video is aging like FINE WINE the more allegations appear.

[@Jaspertine]

With regards to the video about how algorithms flatten culture. Yes, I'm very on board with that idea... for what it's worth.

[@tecpaocelotl]

Never seen mr beast, but someone with a name like that sounds like he's trying to compensate for something. I also don't believe the height stuff with assholes. Going to a compound in North Carolina for a show sounds like a cult.

[@azureii_]

Betterhelp discourse aside, I really enjoyed the video. I'm a media studies student and I appreciate the inclusion of specific theories and models of analysis!

[@JarodDavis-ro3fb]

I love the honest philosophy of these videos. Just hearing actual thoughts vs "X BAD, Y GOOD." just...omg this channel is great.

[@SaintConnor]

Everyone talks about Mr. Beast's current content, but no one every brings up the fact that he got his name out there by farming streamer's content by sending them large donations during their streams. Before he started making his own content regularly he was sending like $10k donations to big, medium and small streamers on the regular to the point there was a period of time when people were literally only streaming in hopes that he would drop in an throw a few grand at them. Now he's just farming people for content on a larger scale.

[@syna388]

Holy moly!! I watched the whole video. I subscribed to your channel. I don't feel like I have sold my soul mainly because 1. I just started doing youtube 2. I do it for fun 3. Of course, it would be great to get paid for it but for now it is what it is.. Your video was very interesting..😊

[@WellElloGovina]

I love philosophy. Thank you, Wisecrack, for sticking around!

[@walken4prez]

Its fair to say I watch Wisecrack videos passively, but not as background noise or a distraction to turn to when something explodes and people in the video loudly overreact. These videos keep my mind engaged and alive during the hours my body labors under a capitalist yoke. I would describe Wisecrack videos as the "best content" for a dozen reasons, not the least of which being that they genuinely keep me from pulling a full Severance and disassociating though the majority of the day. There have been so many books I've read and rabbit holes I've dived into because of these videos that I'm almost never without something for my brain to chew on for weeks at a time. I only wish there was a better ecosystem to reward content like that.

[@VeSpEr7iNe]

Eeww better help...cut the bs

[@GlitchedVision]

the biggest problem, in order to survive long enough to fight the system you must perpetuate the system. There is no winning without sweeping societal change on a fundamental level, and unfortunately, the current system has so much power that we must wait for it to destroy itself before we even have the ghost of a chance of seeing change.

[@spectrumonfire]

Just wanted to say, I rarely comment on videos but always find yours extremely thought provoking - I've heard countless "KZbin is hard" videos, but instead of making one of those, you chose to make a study of a very successful youtuber instead, to compare and contrast. This is how we learn, by gathering information and understanding scope and perspective. Thanks for the effort, and as always I'm looking forward to the next one and to continue supporting you however I can.

[@mousebone]

Burns is 5’11” … and because I’m a family man, please give my money to burns’ kid so she doesn’t have to go in a cube

[@Droidman1231]

I know y'all gotta eat but BetterHelp has been proven to be a scam/unhelpful. Preying on your most vulnerable users for a paycheck is an interesting choice for a channel concerned with philosophy and ethics.

[@evilferris]

_Mr. Beast: "We hired an intern who secretly wants to attack Jimmy with a hammer!"_ Yeah, I'd sign up for that.

[@JesseBakerH]

I think its crazy how KZbin is like a perfect little microcosm to understand so many greater issues in late stage capitalism. The way it puts profit before substance, turns a blind eye to ethical issues, has a vague algorithm that curates CULTURE driven by profit is crazy. Its so crazy to be a creator in an environment that favors quick easy immediate clickbait over thoughtful passionate content. It's not "spectacle" to be subversive, to be reflective, thoughtful, insightful, etc - I think its a huge reason why so many videos feel like they need to pander for a bit and hold your attention because that's the bottom line at this point.

[@KYSMO]

Being sponsored by "BeTtErHeLp" after all the videos that expose them is embarrassing. Unsubbed.

[@Systemsturz]

Hi I know it’s hard out there as a KZbinr but at this point I’d rather see a raid shadow legends ad than better help - I’m happy for anybody whose been helped by better help, but as a system it’s exploitative not to mention its owner/founder I’m not meaning to pressure you guys at wisecrack as I intentionally ignore sponsors like this now, but I’ll use the comments to voice my discontent. Either way I wanna thank you for your video/s and wish a great day!

[@MatthewGillespiedj]

I didn't even know who Mr Beast was until this video. Guess that's what I get for living on the cool side of the internet.

[@LilC1deep]

Tell me you have boomer brain rot without telling me

[@thatdkguy5256]

This hits a bit different now...

[@lukasp5892]

Better help is a terrible sponsor

[@EaselCat]

Better Help as a sponsor? Unsubbed

[@Klatchan]

My guy is he tryna hire you as an ethics consultant? Cause that would help. Though you do keep taking money from BetterHelp....

[@maelstorm3634]

This aged very well💀

[@thezlovkvetinaci]

I'm always disappointed when I see the Better Help promotion in videos like these. I mean just take this gun or oil company deal if you need money so badly.

[@agni760]

Seriously? Betterhelp?

[@chelsbeaupeep]

If Mr. beast is "not rich" then I must have the same worth as a single grain of sand because realistically, I will never see $700mil no matter what I do

[@alanjames9109]

I grateful to KZbin that its algorithm somehow never shoved Mr. Beast's videos on my feed

[@aaroncornish9955]

I love that I don't know what "Mr. Beast" is. I have also never watched on second of a Logan Paul or Jake or whoever TF.

[@nicholasgraveline7384]

I never watched a single mr beast video and I never will. I LOVE WISECRACK !!!!

[@Kinuhbud]

I'm impressed by the hours Mr Beast works and that he figured out how to game the system... but that's it... I think he should've probably walked away from it all by now... but hey what do I know? There's definitely not an applicable Bo Burnham quote for this...

[@JacobAndJamal]

Interesting the trajectory of KZbin over the years. Similar to that of other social media platforms, they all started out just with quirky or funny videos , of average day-to-day events. then turned into something that everybody wants to monetize and use to become a “brand” and “influencer” . Sometimes I wonder where all these people would be in the alternate reality where social media and KZbin wasn’t a thing 🤔