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YouTuber MrBeast was under major scrutiny for his latest video called "1,000 deaf people hear for the first time."
The philanthropist whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson is known for posting content on YouTube centering on expensive stunts.
He has over 150 million subscribers to date and he is known to have the fourth-most-subscribed channel belonging to an individual influencer.
In his latest clip, Donaldson explained:
"We got our hands on over $3 million worth of cutting-edge hearing technology, that unlike old hearing aids, analyzes people's specific hearing needs allowing them to hear again without causing any damage."
The technology simulates the sensation of hearing but is not a cure for hearing loss.
The video also showed the emotional reactions of several of the 1,000 people hearing their loved ones again, as well as receiving $10,000 cash prizes from Mr. Beast.
The YouTuber asked one lucky patient:
"Which is better? Hearing or the 10 grand?"
She replied:
"The hearing 'cause I can hear my baby."
You can watch the video here.
1,000 Deaf People Hear For The First Timeyoutu.be
In spite of the celebratory tone of the video, some deaf people of varying hearing ranges found it exploitative and offensive.
\u201c@missundaaztood one specific thing that was just the cherry on top for me, was the on/off switch animation that they edited onto the video when testing out the hearing devices for the first time.\n\nfurther perpetuates harmful stereotypes and ideas that deafness is all or nothing\u2014\u201con or off\u201d\u201d— fish is deaf as hell \ud83d\udc20 (@fish is deaf as hell \ud83d\udc20) 1683422472
\u201c@MrBeast Sad. Im not a hater\u2026. But I can call you an ableist. \ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Here you go.\u201d— MrBeast (@MrBeast) 1683403514
\u201cPeople are so quick to defend @MrBeast when they are not reading what the Deaf community is writing. The Deaf community has LIVED hopes and the heartbreaks.\n\nWhat MrBeast did was to post inspo porn which is harmful. Forbes actually did an article on this: https://t.co/QkI2G5VZ0X\u201d— Sasiah (@Sasiah) 1683427763
\u201c@rapics721 @DeafDynamics_TC @GaryLHenderson @MrBeast Some deaf people think being unable to hear is not a disability\u201d— MrBeast (@MrBeast) 1683403514
\u201c@ladycassieblack @rapics721 @GaryLHenderson @MrBeast - Correct. This is ableism.\n- Hearing people get fixated on \u2018fixing\u2019 d/Deaf people.\n- Assistive devices do not fix deafness.\n- Or APD. Or a number of other deaf related physical / mental related issues. \n- Or the societal / access issues they face\n- Many will not adjust /\u2026\u201d— MrBeast (@MrBeast) 1683403514
\u201c@robertoblake @MrBeast Just really? We are not haters. We are real. Hearing devices do not help deaf people at all to acquire language. If you don\u2019t understand the deaf culture, please do not speak up. Thanks. \n\nDevices does not make any better in hearing. It is just an assistance, not to become\u2026\u201d— MrBeast (@MrBeast) 1683403514
\u201cBro wants a cookie for thinking he helped deaf people without understanding how hearing aids really work. Hearing aids are not like glasses. \n\nTired of white savior hearing bros.\u201d— Cryssie \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Cryssie \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1683420468
\u201cPeople don't realize how exhausting wearing hearing aids can be.\n\nPeople also misunderstand the reality of using them because they don't cure deafness. There's still a lot of struggles on top of feeling obliged to wear them because no one will accommodate you.\u201d— Ben Bayliss (@Ben Bayliss) 1683408172
\u201cHearing aids aren't an on/off switch. And hearing and listening are not the same thing. Listening takes a hell of a lot of mental effort when you have hearing loss with or without hearing aids.\u201d— Coty Craven (@Coty Craven) 1683408339
Donaldson faced a similar backlash to a video in which he helped blind people see.
He took to Twitter and wrote:
“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.”
\u201cTwitter - Rich people should help others with their money\n\nMe - Okay, I\u2019ll use my money to help people and I promise to give away all my money before I die. Every single penny.\n\nTwitter - MrBeast bad\u201d— MrBeast (@MrBeast) 1675119794
One of the main components of his videos that engage viewers is the monetary reward.
He described his business model in the following statement made in one of his Youtube videos.
"Once you know how to make a video go viral, it's just about how to get as many out as possible, [...] you can practically make unlimited money."
"[But] the videos take months of prep. A lot of them take four to five days of relentless filming."
"There's a reason other people don't do what I do."
Donaldson has yet to address the most recent backlash.