Is it just us, or are we having a serious case of extra-cheesy deja-vu?
This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture agreed to spend a quick $20 million worth of cold, hard cash on dairy in order to offset dramatic losses by farmers across the country (who had initially tried to sell Uncle Sam $150 million in cheese). The drop in dairy consumption has several causes, including growing competition from China, Russian sanctions, and, we suspect, a serious lack of Got Milk? ads. But the purchase is actually even more unnecessary, and more common, than you might think.
While it may seem novel that milk purchases have become both a barometer for global malaise and a public service, the truth is that the American government and cheese go way back. It all started in the 1930s, when post-Depression safety nets for farmers were put in place through the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933.
Many experts believed that an agricultural slowdown was at the root of the financial crisis, and wanted to prevent farmers from going bankrupt. In some cases, they were actually paid not to produce milk and other commodities; today, $180 billion in U.S. goverment funds goes toward supporting farmers in various ways, from price supports to supply chain regulation—at least $20 billion of which goes to dairy producers alone.
[quote position="full" is_quote="false"]The purchase is actually even more unnecessary, and more common, than you might think.[/quote]
Another part of the plan involved stockpiling huge amounts of cheese—so much so that by the 1980s, storing it had become a logistical nightmare. Rather than throw it away (because nothing makes people angrier than seeing lots of dairy destroyed) Reagan decided to give it away to the country’s poor as part of the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program, which was designed to supplement the diets of low-income and elderly Americans...but also became a convenient way for the USDA to sell moldy cheese to the government.
This time around, about 11 million pounds of purchased cheese is going to go toward supplemental nutrition—which will barely make a dent in the 759 million pounds currently in storage.
We smell some Got Cheese? ads in our future.
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
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.