If you’re a sports fan, you probably know that badminton exists. You may have even some of it played during the Olympics. But that’s probably as much thought as you’ve given it...until now.
You don’t need to be a student of the game to take in the drama, twists, and turns of this badminton rally between doubles teams from Japan and Denmark. (It merits noting that this highlight is from December, but, hey, it’s new to us. We’re slow to come around to badminton news.)
Watch this video. It’s like an entire Shakespearean play in 40 seconds.
Badminton strategy might escape the casual viewer, but it’s clear that the guy who’s sitting on the ground, returning smashes, is about as in-the-zone as any NBA legend. The dramatic music that sounds like it’s been stolen from an NFL films production doesn’t hurt the dramatic effect either.
The rally was so exciting it compelled many to make insanely hyperbolic statements on Twitter:
I don’t know if this is going to cause a run on racquets and shuttlecocks at the local sporting goods store, but it makes for some great entertainment, and the next time someone tells us of a badminton highlight we need to see, we’ll definitely be a little less skeptical.
Now that you’ve got badminton on the brain, here’s another rally that proves these guys might have tiny racquets, but they’ve got big hearts.
Oh, and if you need to go a little further back to build your foundation for badminton appreciation, here’s a remedial class:
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.