Shane Dawson Unintentionally Gets You to Sympathize for Jake Paul

Despite the internet’s dislike for Social Media influencer Jake Paul, Shane Dawson produces an eight-part investigative series. His fascination with the fall of Jake Paul and the mental disorder of sociopathic tendencies collided to form the ultimate collab.

Camila Moreno, Staff Reporter

Shane Dawson, known as the “King of YouTube” on social media, has accumulated over 200 million views over the course of his 12 most recent videos with three controversial creators— Tana Mongeau, Jeffree Star and Jake Paul. His work is one of the most groundbreaking pieces seen in YouTube history. His most recent creation is an entertainment-based documentary focused on controversial title, Jake Paul. After doing extensive research about antisocial personality disorder, Dawson set the ultimate purpose of his series to answer one chilling question: Is Jake Paul is a sociopath?

His work is one of the most groundbreaking pieces seen in YouTube history.

Dawson has released eight episodes, not collaborating with Paul until episode five. The first several episodes prepared us for his investigation, and they still contained Dawson’s touch of light hearted humor.

However, episode two, “The Dark Side of Jake Paul” included a sit down interview with therapist Kati Morton to discuss sociopathic tendencies, such as lacking any emotion, empathy and being a manipulative mastermind.

Dawson’s horroresque editing style with suspenseful music and creeping images sparked backlash from his audience, although in my opinion his editing was the best aspect of the video that made it entertaining and captivating. Despite the hate he was receiving, Dawson defended his case and continued to post the series.

“It’s been the most intense horrifying emotionally draining experience of my career and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Dawson explained on social media, “This series takes a look at Jake’s actions over the years and many of those actions involve other people… This month I’ve learned there’s way more than 2 sides to every story. In this case, there was 100.”

Viewers wondered if Dawson’s eight-part series would serve to humanize Paul for an upswing story, or expose him as a corrupt sociopath. Episode six, “The Secrets of Jake Paul,” consists of Dawson visiting the Team 10 House  in order to get to know Paul and see how he approaches life off camera. The Team 10 House is where Paul alongside a group of other online creaters and youtube artists live and spend most of their days. After observing Paul and his interactions with his friends and his girlfriend Erika Costell, therapist Morton conjectures that he is a good, decent person in real life and most likely not a sociopath.

Viewers wondered if Dawson’s eight-part series would serve to humanize Paul for an upswing story, or expose him as a corrupt sociopath.

“He really gives to people — he bought a huge home and has everybody living in it essentially for free,” Morton reflected, “I think he’s a simple guy and he wants people around him who he loves, and he’ll spend whatever he has to make that happen.”

As the series progresses, Paul has been represented less as an emotionless, power-hungry YouTuber, and more as a person who cares about people and wants to be accepted. Since this is happening in the YouTube world, there’s no way of telling if any moments are artificial or dramaticized to induce strong reactions from the audience. But with Dawson’s honest reputation, we can expect a genuine report of what he believes to be the truth.

Photo taken from Shane Dawson’s Instagram (@shanedawson)
Shane Dawson and Alissa Violet meeting for the first time to discuss her turbulent past with Jake Paul. Dawson’s investigation uncovered the truth about her involvement in the fall of Jake Paul.

More tea is spilled in episode seven, “The Ex Girlfriend of Jake Paul,” when Dawson brings his investigation to the Clout House — another mansion made up of a group of YouTubers and influencers — in which he interviews former Team 10 member, Alissa Violet. After her turbulent break up with Paul that sparked a massive amount of drama on the internet, Dawson had many questions along with the ex couples’ collective  millions of viewers. Violet confesses that throughout their past relationship Paul treated her with complete disregard for her feelings, making him seem downright sociopathic. Her intentions of the video are to tell her side of the story, move on with her life and leave with a valuable message for the audience.

“He’s not a physical abuser but it’s mentally and emotionally 100 percent… If you’re in a mentally, emotionally or even physically abusive relationship it’s okay to tell someone and get past it. Because I got past it,” Violet said.

Although Violet was victimized in episode seven, the finale of the series, “Inside The Mind of Jake Paul,” reverses our sympathy toward Paul, as he pours his heart out to Dawson. After opening up his emotions, owning up to his actions, and telling his side of the story, he provided Dawson with everything he needed to conclude his series. Although people will most likely continue to hate Paul, he got an opportunity to reveal his true self and show the world his perspective. My overall rating: full cup of tea.