If the population of the world was only 100 people, what would society look like? And would it change how you behaved if you were one of them?
Do you make $90 or more each day? Well, congratulations! You are a member of the global 1 percent! But you should probably give a few bucks to the 71 people surviving on less than $10 in that same time period. Do you have access to clean water? Then you might want to share it with the 13 people don’t. The same goes if you’re among the 77 fortunate people who lives in a home. Would you open your doors to one of the 23 people without one? By the way, if that house guest speaks Mandarin you should definitely have them teach you, because at 12 percent of your new condensed community it is the single most spoken language in the world.
So if these 100 people were your new neighbors instead of anonymous individuals spanned out across an entire planet, what would you do about it?
Produced and Written by Gabriel Reilich
Animation by Jake Infusino: https://supertheory.co
Sources:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
https://www.100people.org/
https://www.census.gov/popclock/
https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/
https://en.unesco.org/gem-report/
https://www.pewglobal.org/interactives/purchasing-power-calculator/
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.