A Rough Week: Caught up in Internet Drama (Mr Beast/Logan Paul)

I think one of the crowning achievements of the Abroad in Japan channel is that after 12 years, we've done a successful job of steering clear of any Youtube drama.

For sure, we've had a few moments - after all, we did release a video on foreign influencers last year, causing havoc in Japan, but it was less about drama and more about covering an ongoing news story that affected foreign tourists in the country.

With all that in mind, last week I found myself in the rare position of going viral for a rant about Logan Paul and Mr Beast and finding myself caught up in stupid internet drama - an event that certainly wasn't on my bingo card for this month.

I'm sure many of you guys saw the clips, the headlines, the tweets (one tweet is currently at 160,000 likes) with ominous photos of Mr Beast and my angry face, screenshotted mid sentence (god damn it).

It was certainly a bizarre turn of events, almost like living a double life.

On the one hand, I found myself in the mountains of central Japan, helping Sharla film a video in Takayama - one of my favourite places in Japan. We cycled through rice fields, spent an evening with a farmer and even watched an elderly skilled craftsman carve a spoon from a single piece of wood. It was beyond idyllic.

And yet, the moment I withdrew my phone from my pocket, I entered my worst nightmare. An online battleground - albeit mostly on Twitter, which I've subsequently deleted from my phone

So why did I choose to do this to myself?

And why - despite it all, do I not regret what I said.

And what the hell did I say?! For those that missed the video, the short answer is, I publicly declared my dislike for Mr Beast's videos and re-declared my dislike for Logan Paul.

On the surface, there's nothing inherently controversial there.

I don't see the issue with publicly stating you're not a fan of somebody's Youtube videos. Hell, I'm sure there's plenty of folks who can't stand me and my cynical British ways - and that is of course, is completely fine. Everyone is allowed their opinion.

Except it's no secret, that publicly declaring one's dislike for Mr Beast's videos is considered a cardinal sin. Behind closed doors, most Youtubers I know speak critically but never step out of line. It's something of an unwritten rule not to burn the many, many bridges that link back to Mr Beast.

After all, with all his highly publicised philanthrophy work, how could one ever speak ill of such a heroic individual?

It's true, aspects of the philanthropy are doubtlessly impressive and have done good. Even a grumpy cynic like myself can appreciate that. I've marvelled at some of the good things that have been done over the years.

But the problem for me lies in the cynical nature of using charity work as a shield or defense mechanism against legitimate public criticism, as has happened on several occasions, most notably last year when Jacksepticeye made some comments about disliking Mr Beast's content, only for a swift, childish outburst from Mr Beast garishly declaring in a tweet "I've inspired kids".

If someone publicly stated that they disliked the angry white guy in Japan who looks like Elon Musk, I wouldn't rebut their opinions with "How dare you! I've ridden a bike for charity! I've inspired children!"

You might be wondering, Indeed but what the heck has this got to do with you? Why do you care?

And it's a fair question - this isn't my fight.

But as you guys may recall back in 2018 I had to go on Japanese television, on the biggest morning news show and explain the activities of Logan Paul to several million viewers. I say activities, it was more an abject trail of destruction; from throwing objects at strangers in the street, and throwing fish around in public to thoughtlessly filming somebody who'd taken their own life and exploiting it for views.

I believe in forgiving and forgetting if somebody can learn from their mistakes and move on to become a better person. But nothing in Logan Paul's character would suggest that is the case.

Type his name into a search box and brace yourself for a proverbial flood of awful headlines.

So to see Mr Beast gleefully partner with Logan Paul to sell crappy 'Lunchly' snacks to children was something of a last straw. (And if that isn't bad enough, this week has seen wave after wave of photos posted online of mouldy Lunchly snacks).

For all of Mr Beast's feats, few are greater than convincing people of his altruistic nature. Many people revere him as some sort of second coming of Christ, thanks to the many awkward smiling thumbnails clutching money.

Seeing him partner with Logan Paul was a huge mistake that perhaps revealed the motivations of the man beneath - that perhaps charitable acts and unbridled altruism weren't the guiding star after all.

If you're willing to partner with a man who's most notable incident is filming somebody who's tragically committed suicide, to sell a questionable food product aimed at children, all in the name of making money, then you've long since lost your moral compass.

It honestly shouldn't require much analysis to realise this.

Particularly for a man who professes to spend all of their time "analysing algorithms". It would suggest, amidst his incredible analytical skills, he determined the making of money outweighed all else.

Most notably, having some fucking principles.

So do I regret it all?

- No.

It sounds strange perhaps, but as a Youtuber/influencer person myself, I'm concerned at the power and influence such folks can wield. I want to live in a world where influencers genuinely do good, to inform, educate, entertain, and not at the expense of others.

And while my faith in influencers continues to be shaken, for the most part seeing the response of broad public support and receiving messages from other Youtubers behind closed doors, at least gave me some much needed reassurance in humanity itself.

The real tragedy is knowing that having burned the bridges of the Beast empire, I will likely never be invited on to a Mr Beast video to roll around in a puddle of shit and desperately beg for his approval like countless other Youtubers.

But it's the unfortunate price I'll pay for speaking my mind.

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Thanks guys for your continued faith in me and for the kind words of support I saw amidst all this drama nonsense.

In happier news, we've got an epic video out this weekend guys so keep an eye out!

I'll post separately when it's uploaded along with the Patreon BTS.

Have yourselves a great Saturday!

Chris