Christopher Jonassen is a Norwegian photographer whose latest book examines the incredible universe of scratches found on the bottoms of frying pans. He shoots the familiar kitchen tools against a black background, transforming them into images of planetary ruin or collapse. I spoke with him via email.
GOOD:When did you first find one of these and say, "That looks like something I want to photograph?"
Christopher Jonassen: When I was studying abroad in Australia, I lived in a cheap share house with some friends and the cooking utensils were banged up in a pretty bad way. It fascinated me to see how everyday life was wearing out the metal of the frying pans, one tiny scratch at a time.
GOOD: They look more like celestial objects than cooking utensils.
Jonassen: Yes, this is part of the idea, to create a link between the tiny marks we leave behind everyday to the enormous impact this adds up to over time. I am very concerned about the way we are treating this planet. Also, I think its important to notice the beauty in the small things we surround ourselves with everyday.
GOOD:How did you go about collecting pans?
Jonassen: I asked my friends and family, digging around in cellars and in attics. It was surprising to see how many frying pans are being stored after they are no longer usable for cooking. Why would anyone do that? I got access to the winter storage of cooking supplies for the local scouts. Those where probably the best ones. They bring out big iron pans and put them directly into open fire out in the woods. Heavy iron pans, burnt black and scraped with knives.
GOOD:So would you ever use them to cook?
Jonassen: I wouldn't recommend using these pans for cooking. When I do cook, I cook with raw and fresh ingredients. I think this is key for a healthy diet. And I try to buy local whenever it's possible.
All photographs courtesy of Christopher Jonassen (via FNS)
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
Friends recording on a camcorder.Image via Canva - Photo by capturenow
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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.