Social Media's Impact on Elections, Perfect Peter's Villian Era & Curb Your Enthusiasm

Random Thoughts 🤯

Perfect Peter is the real Villain in Horrid Henry

Perfect Peter. The so-called “good” kid in the Horrid Henry stories. We’re meant to believe he’s this innocent angel, but let’s be real: Peter is the true nightmare. Henry’s antics are just regular kid chaos. Peter, though? He’s a full-blown mastermind hiding behind that smug, sweet smile.

Think about it. Henry acts out, sure, but he’s upfront about it. Peter, on the other hand, acts like he’s above it all, like he wouldn’t dream of breaking a rule—unless it’s to make Henry look bad. Henry wants to play a loud game? Here comes Peter, “Oh, Henry, you shouldn’t do that,” loud enough for Mum to come marching in. Peter’s not just a tattletale; he’s the director, producer, and star of every scene where Henry gets blamed.

And don’t get me started on the way he laps up every bit of praise from the adults. Teacher’s pet, model child—it’s like he’s collecting trophies in smugness. Meanwhile, Henry can’t even breathe without Peter swooping in to remind everyone who’s the real “good” one around here. It’s exhausting. Peter’s whole persona is crafted to set Henry up for failure.

Honestly, the real menace of the Horrid Henry stories isn’t the kid throwing tantrums and pranks. It’s Perfect Peter, quietly steering the chaos to make himself look even better. You want horrid? Look no further than that “perfect” little brother who’s got everyone fooled.

Science Corner: Social Media Algorithms Impact on Elections

In a recent study, we looked into whether YouTube’s Recommender System (YRS) might lead people towards questionable or “problematic” content. This matters because social media platforms, like YouTube, can play a role in spreading misinformation, which can impact public opinion, influence how people see political issues, and potentially affect elections.

Here’s what we found: We reviewed over a thousand studies and narrowed them down to 23 that focused on how YouTube’s recommendation algorithms may direct people towards content that could be misleading or polarizing. Fourteen of these studies showed that, yes, YouTube’s system often suggests progressively more extreme content—especially when people start watching videos on certain topics. For example, watching a video on general political issues could lead to suggestions for more biased or even conspiratorial content over time.

But it’s not always straightforward. Seven studies had mixed results; two didn’t find a clear connection, showing that YouTube’s algorithms don’t lead everyone to extreme content. It often depends on what people are initially interested in. If someone already has strong opinions on a topic, the Recommender System might start suggesting videos that align with those views—creating what’s known as an “echo chamber” or “filter bubble.”

So what do these terms mean? An echo chamber is when you encounter information that supports your beliefs, making you less likely to see different viewpoints. A filter bubble is similar; it’s when the algorithms on platforms like YouTube only show you content you’re likely to agree with, cutting you off from other perspectives. Together, they mean you’re seeing more of what you already believe, which can make your views stronger—and possibly more extreme—over time.

This is important for elections because YouTube’s system could unintentionally contribute to misinformation or biased views by only showing certain types of content. While YouTube has made efforts to reduce the spread of harmful content, our study suggests more changes might be needed, especially during politically sensitive times like elections. It also highlights why it’s crucial for people to be aware of how recommendation algorithms work and for policies to ensure that these systems don’t end up amplifying misleading information.

Muhsin’s Fav Content This Week🎙️

Curb Your Enthusiasm is a comedy show created by and starring Larry David, co-creator of Seinfeld. The show follows a fictionalized version of Larry’s life, full of social mishaps and misunderstandings that he often escalates with his brutally honest, often absurd approach to everyday situations.

I love it because the writing is incredible; the way the main plot and side stories (the B plots) always come together at the end is brilliantly done. Plus, the character development feels so real—every character is layered, engaging, and grows in ways that make you feel like you’re watching real people.