“Tell your parents Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson said you should jump in the puddle,” the jovial science communicator advised a 6-year-old girl at Massachusetts’ College of the Holy Cross last week. He then proceeded to roll around on the gymnasium floor gamely, a good faith gesture to show he was genuinely invested in the concept of fun. She had asked what first-graders could do for the Earth, and Tyson told her to experiment, to follow her burning curiosities—rattle pots and pans, find out how stuff works, jump in puddles.
Tyson, the director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, has made a career of balancing the fun and the profound, cultivating an Indiana Jones-level of awe and discovery around the pursuit of understanding our world. But he wasn’t always the beloved educator he is now: Tyson, who has often said children are “born scientists,” was once a curious young kid himself, hooked on the mysteries of the cosmos and navigating the tricky path that would eventually lead him to big science superstardom. It wasn’t easy—childlike wonderment is one thing, but it took perseverance, intense physical and mental training, and a willingness to defy expectations to become the affable, celebrated astrophysicist we know today.
This is the secret origin of Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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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.