Buzz
Grasping what captivates younger generations today is challenging, as relentless algorithms fragment us into smaller, isolated groups. However, this very division fosters unique entertainment unimaginable to past generations, such as Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared and TikTok’s dental procedure videos.
This Week’s Viral Sensation: The Return of Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared
The second season of Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared recently debuted in the U.K. Originating as a series of odd YouTube shorts with millions of views, the new season features full-length, half-hour episodes. These blend vibrant visuals and cheerful tunes reminiscent of children’s shows with absurd comedy, eerie horror, and sharp critiques of postmodern thought. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
While the show hasn’t officially launched in the U.S., fans don’t seem to mind the numerous uploads appearing on YouTube. Episode One, which introduces Red Guy, Yellow Guy, and Duck to the dreary reality of employment, has already surpassed a million views on a single YouTube channel. If I were you, I’d watch it now before it’s removed or becomes so mainstream that early discovery loses its cool factor.
Meta’s Horizon Worlds Introduces Legs
During this week’s Meta Connect conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the next Quest VR headset and made a groundbreaking announcement that could revitalize the company’s underappreciated VR-chat platform, Horizon Worlds: the addition of legs!
The official Horizon Worlds account enthusiastically tweeted: “Legs are on the way! Are you ready?”
I’m absolutely thrilled, Mark!
If you don’t own a VR headset but still want to explore legs (and the rest of this bizarre Horizons platform that even its creators seem indifferent to), a version of this surreal experience is launching on PC and mobile soon. Feel free to check it out—or don’t. It’s only a matter of time before Horizon Worlds becomes mandatory.
Nintendo Fans Respond to the The Super Mario Bros. Movie Trailer
Last week, Nintendo released the first trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie. While it seemed decent to me, the reaction from dedicated Nintendo fans has been far from lukewarm. Known for their passion, they’re decidedly unimpressed with the film.
The biggest issue is Chris Pratt’s casting as Mario’s voice. While I found his performance passable, I did momentarily wonder, “Isn’t Mario supposed to have a stereotypical accent?” before moving on. Nintendo fans, however, aren’t letting it go. As expected, the internet is ablaze with criticism, ranging from “you ruined my childhood” to creative protests. One fan recreated the trailer using an AI-generated Mario voice, while another crafted a hilarious parody about the casting choices. Nintendo likely sees this backlash as coming from a vocal minority.
Another glaring issue in the trailer is Mario’s backside. It’s noticeably smaller than in the games. Gamers know Mario’s iconic posterior is crucial to his character—it’s what gives him the power to stomp on turtles! While the filmmakers might be avoiding an NC-17 rating by toning it down, I’m not satisfied. Tell me where to sign the petition, which senator to contact, and where to grab a torch and pitchfork.
Time Travelers Take Over TikTok
Eno Alaric, a self-proclaimed time traveler from 2671, has chosen TikTok as his platform to share groundbreaking news with the present: major changes are on the horizon. In the next six months, a celebrity will expose their faked death! Alaric also provided five specific dates for world-altering events:
December 19, 2022: Space X will deploy its first orbital defense satellite.
January 14, 2023: A mysterious light from the Moon triggers bizarre global phenomena.
February 8, 2023: A groundbreaking drug extends human lifespans.
March 2, 2023: The Earth’s magnetic poles flip, reuniting continents.
May 25, 2023: A catastrophic natural event shakes the US political system.
Alaric faces competition from Brecken Smith, a time traveler from 2714 with over a million followers. Smith’s videos bear striking similarities to Alaric’s, and he appears to enjoy dirt biking—even in the future.
Another contender is @timevoyaging, who keeps their future era a secret but garners tens of millions of views. Then there’s @realtiktoktimetraveler, who shares similar predictions. Honestly, TikTok is flooded with time travelers, each claiming to be genuine and every prediction guaranteed to happen.
TikTok’s Obsession with Tooth Scaling
TikTok has developed a strong fascination with tooth scaling videos, as evidenced by the #scaling hashtag amassing over two billion views. For many, watching tartar being scraped off teeth strikes the perfect balance between disgusting and oddly satisfying. It also offers a sense of relief—at least your dental hygiene isn’t as bad as this unfortunate individual, right? (It isn’t, is it?)
Dokter Gigi Tri Putra reigns supreme in the TikTok scaling community, with over three million followers. His feed is packed with dental content, including orthodontics, cavity fillings, and tooth whitening, but it’s the irresistible scaling videos that truly captivate audiences. While Dr. Wei Jian boasts more followers, his preachy tone in videos like these doesn’t sit well with me. They’re my teeth, and I’ll use them however I please.
