As reported by GOOD last May, the flat-Earth conspiracy is making a big comeback. In fact, Google searches for the term “flat Earth” have increased eight-fold in the past three years. Hundreds of flat-Earth videos have been cropping up on YouTube, and even basketball star Kyrie Irving and rapper B.o.B have publicly supported the idea.
The basic theory states that Earth is flat, like a disk, and the sun orbits around its outer ring; in the center of the Earth is the Arctic Ocean, which remains ice-cold because it’s farthest from the sun’s orbit.
Luckily, round-Earthers have astrophysicist and “Cosmos” star Neil deGrasse Tyson to set the record straight.
The rise of flat-Earthers in society provides some of the best evidence for the failure of our educational system.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) July 19, 2017
Tyson’s tweet sparked a debate because many in the education field thought he was off-base.
I agree education system is flawed, but as a science teacher I am offended by the comment. I have challenged every kid that brings this up.
— Brandon Behnfeldt (@CoachBehnfeldt) July 19, 2017
Damnit, Neil, we are trying!!! I teach 5th grade and only have 30 MINUTES A DAY to teach science...
— Jim Woltman (@JimWoltman13) July 19, 2017
The education system is failing us by not teaching critical thinking skills. It's why gaslighting has been so easy. Not a specific subject.
— Nicole Ann (@nomoresoundbyte) July 19, 2017
The issue is that when they hear that the Earth's flat & it's all a conspiracy, they won't weigh it against the evidence properly
— David (@Superdavo0001) July 19, 2017
It’s not what’s taught in school that matters here. It’s how your brain is wired for analysis by the time you graduate.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) July 19, 2017
This isn’t the first time Tyson has voiced this opinion. Last year, he told The Huffington Post that the American education system has led to the rise in flat-Earthers. “I blame the education system that can graduate someone into adulthood who cannot tell the difference between what is and is not true about this world,” Tyson said. He also called out B.o.B for promoting the theory. “I don’t mind that people don’t know things,” Tyson said. “But if you don’t know and you have the power of influence over others, that’s dangerous.”
Tyson took on flat-Earthers last year on Comedy Central’s “The Nightly Show.”
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.