JamesG
01-02-2018, 11:47 AM
YouTube Star Logan Paul Apologizes after Posting Video with Suicide Victim
by Kate Feldman
January 1, 2018
YouTube star Logan Paul was blasted for an insensitive New Year’s Eve video that included footage of a suicide victim. The 22-year-old vlogger posted a 15-minute video from Japan’s Aokigahara forest, known as the “Suicide Forest” for the number of suicides attempted and committed there.
About six minutes into the video, Paul and his crew came across the body of a young man who appeared to have hung himself from a tree.
“This is the most real vlog I've ever posted on this channel,” Paul said in the video. “I think this definitely marks a moment in YouTube history.” Paul then proceeded to film closer to the body before apologizing to viewers for what was “supposed to be a fun vlog.”
He also said that the video was supposed to focus on the supernatural aspects of the Suicide Forest, not the suicides. Paul ended the video by urging viewers to seek help if they are contemplating suicide.
But backlash hit almost immediately from people who blasted the YouTube star for filming the body.
“How dare you! You disgust me. I can't believe that so many young people look up to you. So sad,” "Breaking Bad" alum Aaron Paul tweeted.
“Hopefully this latest video woke them up. You are pure trash. Plain and simple. Suicide is not a joke. Go rot in hell.”
“The amount of personal + social unawareness Logan Paul has displayed in THAT video is mind blowing to me,” tweeted Rebecca Black.
“How could one w such power and influence have the audacity to put something so thoughtless online? You have potentially intensified an entire family's grief beyond measure.”
“You’re an idiot. You’re not raising awareness. You’re mocking. I can’t believe how self-praising your 'apology' is. You don’t deserve the success (views) you have,” tweeted "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner.
“I pray to God you never have to experience anything like that man did.”
Paul erased the video and apologized Monday night.
“This is a first for me. I’ve never faced criticism like this before, because I’ve never made a mistake like this before. I’m surrounded by good people and believe I make good decisions, but I’m still a human being. I can be wrong,” he wrote.
“I didn’t do it for views. I get views. I did it because I thought I could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity. That’s never the intention. I intended to raise awareness for suicide and suicide prevention and while I thought ‘if this video saves just ONE life, it’ll be worth it,’ I was misguided by shock and awe, as portrayed in the video. I still am.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/youtuber-logan-paul-apologizes-video-suicide-victim-article-1.3732320
by Kate Feldman
January 1, 2018
YouTube star Logan Paul was blasted for an insensitive New Year’s Eve video that included footage of a suicide victim. The 22-year-old vlogger posted a 15-minute video from Japan’s Aokigahara forest, known as the “Suicide Forest” for the number of suicides attempted and committed there.
About six minutes into the video, Paul and his crew came across the body of a young man who appeared to have hung himself from a tree.
“This is the most real vlog I've ever posted on this channel,” Paul said in the video. “I think this definitely marks a moment in YouTube history.” Paul then proceeded to film closer to the body before apologizing to viewers for what was “supposed to be a fun vlog.”
He also said that the video was supposed to focus on the supernatural aspects of the Suicide Forest, not the suicides. Paul ended the video by urging viewers to seek help if they are contemplating suicide.
But backlash hit almost immediately from people who blasted the YouTube star for filming the body.
“How dare you! You disgust me. I can't believe that so many young people look up to you. So sad,” "Breaking Bad" alum Aaron Paul tweeted.
“Hopefully this latest video woke them up. You are pure trash. Plain and simple. Suicide is not a joke. Go rot in hell.”
“The amount of personal + social unawareness Logan Paul has displayed in THAT video is mind blowing to me,” tweeted Rebecca Black.
“How could one w such power and influence have the audacity to put something so thoughtless online? You have potentially intensified an entire family's grief beyond measure.”
“You’re an idiot. You’re not raising awareness. You’re mocking. I can’t believe how self-praising your 'apology' is. You don’t deserve the success (views) you have,” tweeted "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner.
“I pray to God you never have to experience anything like that man did.”
Paul erased the video and apologized Monday night.
“This is a first for me. I’ve never faced criticism like this before, because I’ve never made a mistake like this before. I’m surrounded by good people and believe I make good decisions, but I’m still a human being. I can be wrong,” he wrote.
“I didn’t do it for views. I get views. I did it because I thought I could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity. That’s never the intention. I intended to raise awareness for suicide and suicide prevention and while I thought ‘if this video saves just ONE life, it’ll be worth it,’ I was misguided by shock and awe, as portrayed in the video. I still am.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/youtuber-logan-paul-apologizes-video-suicide-victim-article-1.3732320