Popular YouTuber MrBeast recently changed 1,000 people’s lives by curing their blindness.
This act didn’t happen unplanned. MrBeast, aka 24-year-old Jimmy Donaldson, has built an entire YouTube channel on videoing elaborate, charitable acts.
Many fans celebrated that he uses his platform for good, regularly finding ways to help those in need.
Wow. That's incredible Mr. Beast!
What would Jesus Do- He would do something like this.
Very Well done sir! Keep it going!— JRadaker (@JRadaker) January 29, 2023
But, of course, the Internet also had plenty of critiques, as it always does. Instead of acknowledging the good that MrBeast does, many pointed out that by filming his charity for views, the act comes off as performative. Additionally, some argued that YouTube incentives him to be generous, and he keeps more for himself.
It feels performative, using your money that way is good but the way he publicises it feels very performative tbqh. He built a brand off feel good content so it's hard to see any of this as sincere. 1/2 https://t.co/A5FchUVReh
— Molly (@YoMollyF) January 30, 2023
At the same time, many felt like MrBeast — whose other charitable acts include helping students pay college tuition, planting 20 million trees and removing over 30 million pounds of trash from the ocean — hadn’t done enough to address the systemic issues leading to these problems, such as ack of financial resources and inaccessibility to healthcare.
I mean philanthropy-based content that shows the problems within our system but doesn't advocate for practical solutions is a little frustrating. Mr. Beast, with his platform, could educate so many people on why he even has to do all this philanthropic work.
— antizap (@anti_R6) January 30, 2023
But MrBeast took the feedback in stride, and shared that he actually doesn’t bring in a lot of money from his content. In fact, he actually loses an average of $1.5 million dollars with each video. 😳
It did raise awareness and get tons of people talking. Also what profits? The average MrBeast video lost $1,500,000 last year lol
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) January 30, 2023
He also did address the systemic issues at hand, questioning and challenging governments to do more to help those in need.
I don’t understand why curable blindness is a thing. Why don’t governments step in and help? Even if you’re thinking purely from a financial standpoint it’s hard to see how they don’t roi on taxes from people being able to work again.
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) January 30, 2023
It’s clear that the Internet will never be satisfied with anyone with a platform, and there’s often good reason to treat influencers with caution. But in this day and age, we need to acknowledge that every act, big and small, can go a long way in making a difference. And thankfully, MrBeast isn’t listening to the haters anytime soon.
Twitter – Rich people should help others with their money
Me – Okay, I’ll use my money to help people and I promise to give away all my money before I die. Every single penny.
Twitter – MrBeast bad
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) January 30, 2023
