It’s certainly human nature to think that both the universe and world revolve around us. But it’s crucial to remember, especially as we evaluate humanity’s disproportionate impacts (both good and bad) that we were pretty much the last guests to show up at the cocktail party that is the Earth’s existence.
Fortunately, Skunk Bear has put together a video that shows us just where our quaint little “civilizations” and “technologies” lie on the spectrum of time. Using a 100-yard football field, we get to view the past and present in a whole new light.
Using this scale, every inch on the field, all 3,600 of them, equates to 1.3 million years. The far left goal line would be the creation of the Earth, about 4.5 billion years ago. As the host walks the length of the field, each step triggers massive geological and evolutionary events that shape the environment we experience today.
That example alone should remind us that as advanced as we are, humanity still has a very difficult time understanding just how big the world is, in terms of both the geography around us and history that preceded us.
Here’s a video that shows us, in truly humbling fashion, where people lie in the grand scheme of time as we know and understand it on our home planet:
To recap them all would be a little redundant, as the video below does it in a staggeringly efficient four-and-a-half minutes, but suffice it to say, there are some seminal events that are so massive in scale and duration that you really need a stadium to show the context.
For instance, take a look at something we all hold pretty dear, “life in general”:
Even with this vast expanse, it’s remarkable how little real estate we humans occupy. We’re not an inch from the right-hand goal line. We’re not half an inch. We’re pretty much of this instant.
The applications of this understanding are vast and profound, but perhaps the most important step is that we begin to simply understand. This clever video, as simple as the premise is, goes a long way in facilitating just that.
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.