Squid Game Vs. the Mr. Beast-ification of Art
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- How Squid Games Season 2 has taken down The Beast.
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I'm glad watching Total Drama as a kid convinced me not to take part in or watch reality shows.
Alright campers…
@@brunhildevalkyrieif he could he would do American squid games
Same 😂
Total Drama Island was so ahead of its time.
@sonicwave779 the irony 😂
I still can’t believe that “Scientists invent the Torment Nexus from the hit sci-fi series ‘Do not invent the Torment Nexus’.” basically just outright happened.
Honestly, yeah. Seeing everyone mention that joke in the comments to a video about the Beast Games was funny in a depressing kind of way
It's constantly happening, all the time
It's not scientists.
It's capitalists.
I think about the Crab Bucket analogy- a bucket of crabs will pull down anycrab that tries to escape and will attack each other. But a bucket is not a crabs natural habitat- someone more powerful put those crabs in the bucket
Yooooo!
Fellow sunn m’cheaux watcher??
I still can't fathom being Mr. Beast, watching Squid Game, and saying "Yeah let's do that. But in real life"
I don't know how people still defend that guy
I fully can, he’s exactly the kind of person the aristocrats were parodying
"You know, I think this show might be on to something... it can be incredibly lucrative to exploit poor people!"
i still cant fathom how the squid game show creator is ok with netflix making an irl squid game D: but then again, he gets to tell the rest of the story, even though netflix *sucks*. gotta put the fire out from inside the house, right
You can't fathom why an egotistical exploitative arsehole might do something exploitative?
At long last, we have created the Torment Nexus from the classic sci-fi novel Don't Create The Torment Nexus
And I got to repeat my comment:
Mr. Beast is the personification of the algorithm and only follow the numbers. And yes, I know the irony of that statement coming from me.
Well, at least you seem to know what you're talking about, mr priest
Mr Beast is the logical endpoint of this trend, yeah. He's someone who knows the attention economy, on an incredibly deep level, but that's the *only* thing he knows. No understanding whatsoever of art or truth or beauty, or anything else that defines humanity. And no care either. That stuff only exists as something that can be consumed and digested and shat back out as Content.
If anything I think you would be a reliable source on this since it’s your livelihood.
I'm a 1st grade teacher in Bangkok. A lot of my students wear Squid Game merch, I was shocked. "Your Parents let you watch that show?" turns out they know of the show, but know it mostly from Roblox games online.
Squid Game vs Basic Media Literacy, is how I'd put these recent years with the message ignored. I really hope that people will actually realise what Squid Game is about. All of what you said is so right here, as always, it's just a shame that Squid Game succeeding was it's ultimate failure, having to continue and be sold like a product.
I still remember how, after the 'Fight Club' movie came out, some people created actual fight clubs in their garages and basements with their friends. Heck, they even made a 'Fight Club' fighting videogame, and they put freakin' Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit in it as an unlockable character. We are monsters, both to each other and to ourselves.
ok but fred durst fighting is badass
@thatoneguy9582 Username checks out.
Challenge: take a drink for every time you see the words Torment Nexus in the comment section
Too dangerous, I'm out
they finally created the Alcohol Poisoning Nexus from the hit show Don't Create The Alcohol Poisoning Nexus!
Literally the comment directly after this mentioned the Torment Nexus for me xD
One interesting addition to series 2 of _Squid Game_ was the voting between rounds. There is an obviously correct choice (vote out), but enough people keep voting for the obviously wrong choice to make sure that everyone suffers (including themselves). That might have seemed implausible, were it not for the USA's 2024 presidential election, the UK's Brexit referendum, the election of a literal fascist in Argentina, and... I could go on, but you get the point.
Yes! There are so many examples. The current Finnish government is one. Before the election about two years ago they literally said that they would make big cuts into all sorts of government aid for the people who need it most, make immigration and citizenship laws stricter and tax the rich less. They are far-right and openly hostile towards basically all marginalized groups. And people voted them into office?!? Honestly, it's mind-boggling how effective propaganda is
Read this in philomena cunks voice
I disagree. It is not the "wrong choice". There isn't a "right or wrong" choice here. Living a miserable life should never be the right choice.
@@lunavioleta001 You can argue that the obviously correct choice isn't ideal, but that doesn't stop it being the obviously correct choice. It's objectively better than the obviously wrong choice. As the saying goes "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good".
@Grim_Beard Disagree. It is not objectively better. Both choices are potential deaths. Outside is a slower and more painful death. But at least inside the game, you have more of a chance. The outside will never change. It will always be an unjust world. The world will never be an Utopia. But, though the game is also unfair, it is only a few days. It is a quicker death if you die. And if you survive, because like outside is determined by money and/or power, you might go outside slightly better.
The Squid Game is not more evil than the already placed system of the outside world. By living your life, you already partake in an oppressive, unjust, and cruel system. You are already immoral. At least with some money, you could do something positive with the little time you have left.
And again, death is better than suffering and a quick death is better than a slow painful one.
I remember when I first watched the Arnold Schwarzenegger film: The Running Man. I remember thinking at the time, “I’m so grateful that we don’t live in a society that would openly watch and glorify the suffering of real people as entertainment”. Then, shows like Survivor and Big Brother would come along. Now, I know that there is probably no “real” way these people would be allowed to truly suffer any legitimate mortal danger. That being said, my mother used to watch that show religiously and some of the moments on these shows were hard to watch as people suffered for the entertainment of strangers. Movies like: The Truman Show would come out and instead of having conversations about the importance of SELF and the moral implications of watching an unknowing participant be routinely manipulated on a daily basis, we find ourselves smack dab in the Selfie and Scrolling culture that is all about serving the algorithm. Mr. Beast is just another representation of this in modern day. The masses don’t seem to want to have a legitimate conversation about a important subject. They just want the watered down, easily digestible, cliff notes version of it.
I actually found the front man's critique of Gi Hun to be valid in the end. Whilst his revolution failed due to a number of factors, including counter-revolutionary conspiracy, even if it had been successful, for me it would have still been in vain, because in the process of getting there he compromised his values, frogetting that his cause is for the people, letting fascist forces attack and slaughter those in his faction who could not defend themselves.
It's kind of like when moderates on the left say we should stop focusing on identity politics, basically saying that the battle for the rights of minorities is secondary to that of the revolution.
For me, a much greater vicotory for Gi Hun would've been for his faction to be prepared to protect each other from the fascist threat, whom in the face of liberal democracy no longer serving their cause, always turn violent. and whilst that route would've still seen bloodshed, it would've secured the safety of all survivng participants (X or O), and given them more time to regather their forces and be better prepared next time.
On a side note, i found it really interesting Gi Hun's decision to keep the propagators of fascist violence alive (mostly cause i was shouting for their death), and was fully expecting for them to conspire against the revolution the first chance they got, and for that to be one of the causes for its failure, but it never happened.
Also also, I really liked the detail of the revolution being led by veterans. People who were once tools of the system, having been abused and then abandoned by it, now fighting to overthrow it. I wonder if that'll bimportant to keep in mind next season with the north korean defector who is working as a guard...
Okay that's all I had to say, great video as always, and if you actually read through all that congratulations! here's a cookie 🍪
IRL at least, north korean defectors tend to end up in right wing grifter circles
Mr. Beast always gave me the same feeling Joo Dee in ATLA did and I instinctively refused to engage
who's Joo Dee
The brainwashed Ba Sing Se woman who repeats that everything's fine as The Fire Nation devours it?
Sorry to hear about the continued copyright issues. Your voice is valuable and powerful!
THANK YOU! I couldn’t stop thinking about this and it pissed me off with all the red washing Netflix and Mr beast BS just turn it into an aesthetic, with no substance. I love squid games as a show and I could never figure out how anyone could ever watch these shows and think oh yeah that’s a great idea. It just pisses me off sorry for ranting yall I just hate how this show has been co-opted
Glad it is back up! I was watching it this morning but had to go midway through and searched for so long to find it again! Very good video!!
Kind of looks like TH-cam hates Jesse.
I'm not a regular follower of this channel, but it looks like they have made a habit of bullying Jesse and other creators.
Only an illiterate sociopath could watch SQUID GAME and decide to make an actual game show out of it
Real Torment Nexus vibes
That’s why Jimmy Donaldson (sorry, “Mr. Beast”) did it
Real Torment Noxus is a reference to what?
Everybody's mentioning it.
@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ old Twitter meme; "Scientists invent Torment Nexus from famed sci-fi novel, Please Don't Invent the Torment Nexus"
@@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ It spawns from the idea that Squid Game is a show arguing "These games shouldn't exist" and then in Real Life, Someone makes those games exist.
@@FormerlyIvorMinecraftStoryMode that was a very bad explanation because you still haven't explained what the reference is to....which is what they were asking...
The old live-action adaptation of Liar Game has a similar moment to that one you showed from the Beast Games show that has always stuck with me: At the end of episode 2 (I think), Akiyama has just helped Nao outwit her opponent after he successfully deceived her. As a result, she has all of his money, and he is about to be in serious debt to the people who run the Liar Game. Even though he tried to saddle her with similar debt, she takes mercy on him and gives him half of her winnings so that he can buy out of the game, even though it means that she will have to stay in to avoid owing the Liar Game people. It's the first demonstration of how Nao will ultimately beat them at their own game by refusing to play by their rules. The Liar Games is meant to be a zero-sum game where you win by screwing over others, but Nao wins with her compassion and honesty (even if she does become better at deception once she understands that it's for a good cause).
Excellent video. The title (seemingly just about Mr. Beast and a Netflix TV show) is just the doorway into a much larger, profound message.
i cried at the trans message you so warmly expressed,,,this essay means a lot to me thank you for sharing ❤❤❤
Real ones rememeber when this first dropped at 2am
Oh cool, so I'm not going crazy
Thank you! Its been so frustrating seeing some of the takes(some disappointingly on the left) that season 2 wasnt as good, that it felt too slow, that the games werent more of a focus. I love that it puts a spotlight more so on organizing as a community instead of just the depressing spectacle if the games
Great essay! still wont forgive you for making me watch a long clip of Andrew Tate tho
Love how I only know about "Beast Games" from this video. Great analysis as always
Tate is definitely Cypher. Finds an opportunity, and uses it to try and get ahead in the system.
This timeline is stupid. Can I get a new one?
Look, the real life adaptations of the squid games are totally different. They don't kill people for losing! Therefore it's fine.
Now excuse me while I go back to overlooking the constantly repeated theme from the show of how not getting that money would practically mean death for the contestants anyway.
Rewatching Squid Game season 2 with my friends was actually better to sit through than when I first watched it. My Netflix subscription has ads on and almost every ad I’ve received has some sort of squid game related theme to it.. it really came off as distasteful given the themes of the show. Most egregious examples are the Dominos Pizza ad and the Samsung Ad which actually had minor spoilers in their text. It came off to me as the creator basically not caring about what story he wanted to tell… so thank god watching it the second time with my buds made the experience better and actually got to appreciate the freaking season for what it is sans the egregious advertising from Netflix.
TLDR: I prematurely disliked Squid Game season 2 thanks to Netflix ads. Watched it a second time without it and actually liked it. Fuck ads. Fuck Netflix.
One of your best videos in my opinion (great editing as well.) I hope it pops off in the algorithm despite Netflix's meddling!
You know, this makes me almost glad that Netflix set up the adaption of my favorite dystopia, which starts out with showing how beauty culture is used to control the population, then branches out into how conformity harms neurodivergent people, Uglies, up to fail so hard. Sad that most people now will never hear these clearly needed messages instead of just hating the genre and whining about the casting and refusing to see any of the depth, but at least it will never be commodified and used against us either.
Ah damn it I wanted to watch this, but I haven't seen Season 2 yet and I don't want spoilers...thank you for the warning, I'll have to come back after I've watched it. Have a comment to make the algorithm happy.
Don't create the Torment Nexus
Too late we did, we did, we did, and we did. Again and again...
A staunch, long-standing, champion of intersectionality, you’re the leader we need, Jesse.
What a wise and nuanced critical analysis. So grateful for it, Jesse.
Damn it Jessie, now I have to watch Squid Game S2.
I think I really needed this. I haven’t even watched all of either season of squid game, but I’ve always appreciated what it’s had to say, despite how misinterpreted it gets by some. The ending to this video really gave me some hope I didn’t know I needed… That it’s okay, and actually should be expected that we can’t fix everyone. In a system designed to make us rip each other apart to ignore the ones sitting back and gleefully laughing while we do, some people are always going to believe in the propaganda that they could someday be the one laughing. But just knowing I can shift my focus from trying to convince people stuck there to see reason, but instead focus on supporting and helping the people around me who are already fighting. Strengthen my solidarity over my desire to argue and fight.
Silence is compliance.
Existence is Résistance.
🏳️⚧️
ur videos regardless of how dour or heavy the subject matter is always give me hope :)
NGL, this is one of your best videos. I was in tears by the end.
Wow! I've been waiting for someone to make this video ever since season 2 of Squid Game came out. Thank you, Jessie! We love you💕💕
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts, I much appreciate it. I may even go watch Squid Games now just to look out for that.
I'd though season 2 was pretty good before, but now you're pointing out details that make me wish to re watch it.
I’ve never seen someone’s reputation plummet so much so fast as me beasts.
I’ve always looked at squid games season 2 as a story about what happens whenever a person with progressive ideas tried to brake down the system from the inside and then ultimately failing. even though 456 had money and power he still can’t stop the system that put him on top
A world where Mr. Beast exists it's a world that doesn't deserve to exist.
Kinda on the nose to have the billionaire host of a torture-the-poors-for-our-entertainment show be named Mr. Beast. We're living a Batman plot
You know, it's really no wonder that so many have misread the message of Squid Game. When you look at the millions of people who read the Bible and Jesus' teachings and get from that, "Poor people are scum!" and similar nihilistic beliefs, this is really just part of a larger pattern.
Don't know why this is reuploaded, but hope it stays this time.
Your examination also helped me to reexamination season 1 through the lens of season 2 and the Trump election. That in season one people are offered a choice once, with the escape to the status quo (Biden), but ultimately that return is never enough as that status quo is what drove people to desperation in the first place. The system then reinforces itself putting the blame and responsibilities on individuals, rather than ever critically examining itself - as the system is working as intended. Which is also why Liberalism can never actually counter fascism as it is enabling force, by nature, on the rise of fascism in a capitalist society.
Therefore even if the choice is offered once, twice, etc. the only choice the system offers is either status quo or a slow continual march towards fascism - never a step back.
Happily rewatching this again while waiting in a drive thru
I really needed this; really appreciated the hopeful, nuanced interpretation of season 2!
haven’t watched s2 yet but I’m gonna have this on in the background to make up for the 20 mins and come back to it fr when I watch the season
Well, I think I may have a new show to get into. 😅 This made me think of Star Wars comparison/analogy.
Squid Games Season 1: How an epic tale began with its anti fascist themes (SW OG/Prequel trilogy).
Mr. Beast’s Squid Games: Corporate hacks sucking out what made that particular story important in the first place, that it feels more like a corporate cash grab (SW Sequel trilogy).
Squid Games Season 2: A story coming back to remind you of its anti fascist roots (Andor).
What I love about The Hunger Games is how clearly it shows how the capital reframes the tragedy and horrors it does to its citizens as entertainment for the citizens.
And the reason people/kids go along with it is bc it's a chance for them to escape a life poverty and hard labor if they win.
Thank you for your videos, been going through a tuff time with transitioning and other stuff. They have really helped me get through it
Glad I got to watch in case it gets taken down again. You did a great job explaining Squid Games.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. I loved season 2, thank you. I feel like someone gets it too.
Mr. Beast is a horrible person.
Off to watch on Nebula!
Yay we're back ❤️
I think you break the whole point of Squid Game so well. Thank you🧡🪴
Hiiii you're one of my favorite queer youtubers!! Ya mean a lot to me and you give me hope!
EXCELLENT video!!!! You're making me want to go out and fight the system
I'm so glad that you liked season two! I enjoyed it a lot and was a bit surprised by people saying that it wasn't a worthy followup. Not only did I have a blast, but I felt like the ethos of season one has been maintained. Loooove best girl Cho Hyun-ju/120.
Fight back!
Thank you. We have to build solidarity with our fellow oppressed people, and we will then stay strong in this fight.
Idk if this is intentional, but the writers are smart, so probably. The red pill and blue pill dynamic remind me of red no, and blue yes choices the characters have. Either stay with the system that abuses you or refuse it sort of deal.
Imo, in the back of his mind, the frontman wants to be wrong. I think that's why he talks about the world changing, causing the games to end, but he will never admit that. Along with giving the choice, he wants to see if he is wrong. I think he's someone who is thoroughly indoctrinated by the system he promotes, but the innate human good argued by the story still exists, even if hidden deep inside him. I wonder what the third season will show about the frontmans thoughts. I doubt he will live to see the end or be fully redeemed, but this will be interesting to see.
In a weird way, the frontman is still victim to the system, having to aid the whims of the VIPs. I think this is also interesting, as he isn't the top dog. Even the vips have it miserable, only finding enjoyment in the extreme, unable to enjoy the simple things. Theres no winning in general. I like squidgame due to how you can think about it.
I think the 5 person challenge course is a cool example of solidarity in a weird way. Unlike other games, where people sabatoged each other, those games had crowds cheering. It reminds me the idea of life not being a race but a marathon. Being first is cool, but the glory is found in completing it.
the bangers just dont stop. thanks for all your hard work, jessie and team!!
that was such a good video 11/10
Comment for algorithm
Commenting to please the algorithm and looking into the Patreon. ❤ Love your work on Nebula ~ beautiful piece
Thank you for sharing your analysis! That was beautiful to watch and fills me with hope that others are so vocal about how awful capitalism and these systems are.
I am aware that not too many people like superhero stuff in these conversations of anti-capitalist media. But, I have to admit that this is the strength of the best superhero writing in comics, TV shows, and movies. The X-Men are actively about finding solidarity against positions of power to make a more accepting and considerate world. The Avengers in their best stories remember that no hero fights alone, especially against the biggest threats and problems. And street level heroes like Spider-Man or Daredevil remind us to look out for each other and inspire us to actively make a better world (especially when they take on more systemic problems like corporate powers or abuses of government). I am aware of the Marvel bend in this argument, but the best superhero writers know that superheroes are not celebrities. They are more than a corporate product. And they are not just a fix all problem for everything (even Superman has his limits). But, they actively help against the worst threats while also building solidarity to make the world better.
Just my little ramble from my Autistic brain. Wonderful video as usual, Jessie
Thank you for the video. I am so sorry that Netflix and Mr Beast fail to adhere to copyright law.
I was literally looking at the nebula when I got it
the notification
15:45 Yeah, and it turned out to be the worst decision he could ever make. Instead of leaving to fight another day, he AGAIN thought in only black and white terms. Jack Saint pointed this out in the Russian Roullete game. Gi-Hun's inability to get his head out of his ass when it comes to ideology over practicality keeps fucking him over. Thankfully he has one Season left to finally end this game, but unless he takes the gun and fires it at literally anyone but himself.... it's gonna end with him dead.
At last i can watch it again!! Great work!
I don't have much to say, but I'm gonna comment for the algorithm. Really good video
And the way you read off the patrons is hilarious:)
There's already been tons of comments about this, but it's absolutely wild that people saw the success of squid games and decided they should make a show that just... does that.
talking bout youtube's elon musk :)
My personal ideology is Jessie Gender thought
What happened to the last upload? I was halfway through this video and now here it is again
Netflix killed it. Capitalists don't like when you critique capitalism (unless they can monetize your critique).
@kenpokid10 I guessed so. I'm glad I could finish it, tho
Im going to play this on my shift then go back and rewatch it when I finish S2!
It's a little tragically ironic how the anti-capitalist message of the show blew way over the head of capitalists as their reaction is "Ha ha funny death game for money." I saw your video for Hyun-Ju on patreon. It was really good, and I love your deep dive into the character and how much we needed quality and well written trans representation, especially in these frustrating current events. Your creativity in these videos is always fun to watch. TH-cam has been incredibly stifling and backhanded toward creators, but I will continue to support your videos both here and on patreon.
I don't have anything smart or interesting to add. Great vídeo, just feeding the algorithm
I’m sorry to jump out but I really need to watch season 2 before sitting through this! Here’s a comment for the engagement ❤
I don’t have anything to say but want to comment to help the video… great work as always!
2:50 the scary thing is that they didnt missed the point, they understood it really well and thought was a good idea to do the opposite of they should
I think the thing that bugs me about Season 2 in its message is the crypto guy 333, he's constantly spouting the same rhetoric as that recruiter from episode 1, even after people directly confront him about the harm he caused and him trying to absolve hjmself of guilt. He feels like a weird microcosm of people thinking expoiting other will help him escape, same as what the Front Man eventually did, and yet I don't feel like he's ever fundamentally challenged on this. The characters who challenge him are Thanos snd co, who are set from the jump to be the secondary antagonists, and a woman who he clearly knew but has no respect for. And yet 333 is also set up to seem sympathetic, he's meek, he's a coward, and he almost gets killed by Thanos so killing him in self-defense ands up absolving him once again.
I feel like amoungst everything, that's the biggest thing that I don't understand about season 2, it feels weirdly undermining to its message.
This season made me really love this show.
Oh shit, surprise Disco Elysium clip. Boy is that a hell of a game. (I haven't watched Squid Game so I'm just paying attention and deciding if I should)
Yeah Season 2 for me feels very timely. This time we have the knowledge and understanding of how everything works, and it still doesn't change anything. This season feels like an exploration of human indifference even more than the first.
Further engagement for the engagement god!
I'd like to see Jessie's content being supported on TH-cam and when I can afford to I'm getting a nebula sub. Oh algorithm overlords, please be less awful.
Awesome video, can’t believe I didn’t recognize the solidarity metaphor
Unrelated, but the next 50501 protest will occur on February 17th at 12pm local time. It is still in the planning stages. If you (the person reading this) can attend, then go. If someone hasn’t gotten the permit for your state please volunteer if you can, but look up if said state has liability laws for damage incurred so you’re aware of the risks. DC, for example, does and that usually falls on the person (or LLC) that obtained said permit. LLCs are usually safer to get it through in such locations. We need consistent large protests in addition to other forms of action (calling your representatives, showing up to their events to hold them accountable, involvement in local activism (support each other so the metaphorical tree isn’t chopped down so easily), and so on).
Open Arms, My Goodbye, Ruthlessness, Puppeteer, The Underworld, Scylla and Thunder Bringer, We'll Be Fine and Little Wolf, Not Sorry For Loving You, all of the Ithaca saga.
17:23 my favourite Ferengi union man