YouTube's biggest collective, The Sidemen, has found itself in the midst of a major fan uprising following the release of a highly controversial video. The group, boasting a combined subscriber count in the tens of millions, is facing accusations of being 'out of touch' and 'wasteful'.
A Concept Gone Wrong
The video in question, titled 'Sidemen $100,000 vs $1 Charity Battle', featured the members split into two teams. The premise involved one team having access to a vast budget to create luxurious items, while the other had to make do with just $1. The shocking climax saw the expensive creations being deliberately destroyed.
Fans were quick to flood the comments section and social media platforms with their disgust. Many pointed out the profound irony of framing the video around the concept of 'charity' while showcasing such blatant and wasteful destruction, especially during a severe cost-of-living crisis affecting many of their viewers.
Fan Outrage Erupts Online
The backlash was swift and severe. Comments on the video labelled the act as 'disgusting', 'tone-deaf', and 'hard to watch'.
One furious fan wrote: 'Calling this a charity battle is a joke. You could have just donated the $100,000 and done a normal video. This is just disgusting behaviour, so out of touch with your fanbase.'
Another echoed the sentiment, stating: 'There are people struggling to pay bills and you're out here destroying things for fun? Really poor form.'
The Defence and The Damage
While some supporters argued that the video was purely for entertainment and that the Sidemen are known for their charitable donations, the overwhelming response remained negative. Critics argued that regardless of their past philanthropy, the visual of destroying wealth for laughs was in poor taste and sent a terrible message.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate relationship between online creators and their audiences. For a group as massive as The Sidemen, the expectation to be socially conscious and responsible with their content has never been higher. This video has clearly struck a nerve, leaving many to question the judgment behind its production.
