With budget cuts swirling and states grappling with how to best respond, we wanted to direct our attention to a common casualty of the chopping block: music and arts education. Because when resources are tight, it's frequently the first to fall by the wayside. And we know it works: High school music students score higher on their SATs in both verbal and math than their peers. Before any more money gets slashed from the budget, we wanted to know how our nation's eighth graders were faring when it comes to music instruction. Each year, the National Assessment of Educational Progress assesses eighth grade students, who attend both private and public schools. Students are asked to analyze, critique, and identify the musical instrument being played. Similar to subjects like English and math, achievement gaps in arts persist—with white and Asian students performing between 29 to 32 points higher than their black and Hispanic peers. City schools fared worse than their suburban and rural counterparts, as did children who receive a free or reduced price lunch. And while more than half of the students sampled attend a school where music instruction is offered at a minimum of three times a week, too many still attend a school where music instruction isn't offered at all.
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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.