If you’re cruising down the highway and see an 18-wheeler pull up next to you with no driver in the front seat, don’t worry, it’s probably just a self-driving semi. Created by Otto, which was purchased by Uber earlier this year, these modified semis are designed to navigate the nation’s highways byways, no human required. Recently, Uber loaded up its first self-driving truck with 50,000 cans of Budweiser and sent it on a 120-mile run through Colorado from a brewery in Fort Collins to Colorado Springs.
There are four major modifications that allow Uber’s trucks to drive themselves. Laser detection systems and radars are placed around the vehicle so it can sense its rapidly-changing surroundings. A forward-facing camera is added to the top of the truck to show the path forward. And a highly-detailed mapping system is installed in the vehicle to help it stay on course. These specially-modified trucks must be driven by a human on the side streets, but once they hit the interstate, they can be flipped into self-driving mode.
Although Uber’s self-driving semi’s first run went off without a hitch, drivers shouldn’t be worried about their jobs just yet. As American consumers increasingly buy more goods online, the trucking industry has had a hard time hiring enough drivers to do the work. The American Trucking Association pegs the current shortfall at 48,000 drivers, and says it could hit 175,000 by 2024. While Uber’s first test run may revolutionize how freight moves across the country, consumers should demand that Uber answer the only question that matters: When the 50,000 beers arrived at their destination, were they still cold?
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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.