In 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 into space to explore the solar system and report back with new information on our planets. After successfully gathering an immense amount of data, the Voyagers continued on a trajectory into interstellar space. Knowing this, NASA included a ‘Golden Record’ LP with sounds and images that represented earth at that time, narrated by Carl Sagan.
Here is a breath-taking video with original recordings from that copper phonograph, which will probably outlast all human traces here on earth and may one day be discovered by extraterrestrial life.
Take a look:
As the video notes, the Voyagers are traveling more than 35,000 mph, but still— it will take an estimated 40,000 years before they’re close to any star other than our own sun. NASA estimates that there are roughly 130 habitable planets within 34 light years of us. As it takes the Voyager 17,000 years to travel ONE light year, it is more likely that extraterrestrial life will discover it, rather than the other way around.
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.