MrBeast gifting eye surgery to blind people sparks serious debate

Greenville, North Carolina - MrBeast's latest viral stunt has the internet torn, as he set out to cure blindness for unsuspecting patients.

YouTube influencer MrBeast recently shared a viral video where he paid to cure blindness for 1,00 0people, sparking an ethics debate on the internet.
YouTube influencer MrBeast recently shared a viral video where he paid to cure blindness for 1,00 0people, sparking an ethics debate on the internet.  © Collage: Dave Kotinsky / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP & Vivien Killilea / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson is one of the biggest influencers around, boasting over 130 million YouTube subscribers.

He has built a name for himself using his wealth garnered from being one of the most well known names on the internet for philanthropic use, creating viral videos of himself awarding money and gifts to those most in need.

In his latest viral stunt, as seen in a video posted on Saturday, MrBeast teams up with SEE International to provide Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery to 1,000 blind patients.

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In the clip, the patients are seen exiting the surgery room in awe at the results, which one doctor says could cure half the world's blind population with the simple 10-minute procedure.

"I don’t understand why curable blindness is a thing," the star shared on Twitter. "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."

While his intentions seem to be good, some social media users have argued that there is a darker side to his "philanthropy."

MrBeast's latest stunt sparks internet debate

MrBeast poses with fan at the launch of the first physical MrBeast Burger Restaurant at American Dream Mall in New Jersey on September 4, 2022.
MrBeast poses with fan at the launch of the first physical MrBeast Burger Restaurant at American Dream Mall in New Jersey on September 4, 2022.  © Dave Kotinsky / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The video has sparked an ethics debate online as social media users have continued a back-and-forth with different perspectives on the situation.

Many users found the "feel good" content to be heartwarming, as it was intended to be.

But another Twitter user on the other side of the aisle described it as "charity porn."

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Those agreeing have argued MrBeast's video exploited those in need in exchange for clout and internet followers, while others insisted he provided a service that our institutions have failed to implement.

MrBeast eventually responded to the criticism, arguing that Twitter users say rich people should help others with their money, only to label him as "bad" when he attempts to do just that.

Back in November, MrBeast took the throne from PewDiePie as the most followed YouTube creator on the platform.

His ambitions to achieve more have only grown since. In December, he even posed the idea of running the social media platform Twitter, sharing, "Can I be the new Twitter CEO?"

Surprisingly, Twitter's current CEO Elon Musk, who has flaunted the idea of passing the torch to someone "foolish enough" to take the job, responded, saying "It's not out of the question."

It seems MrBeast is only getting more influential, and hopefully he continues to use that influence for good.

Cover photo: Collage: Dave Kotinsky / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP & Vivien Killilea / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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