Tommy Marcus, a 25-year-old University of Michigan graduate based in New York City, has rocketed his way to Instagram stardom under the alias "quentin.quarantino" since the beginning of the pandemic.
Marcus is a Quentin Tarrantino aficionado who has a tattoo of the dance scene from "Pulp Fiction" tattooed on his shoulder.
On March 13, 2020, Marcus pledged to post a meme every 30 minutes until the 14-day lockdown was over. However, as we all know, it lasted a lot longer.
As the pandemic raged on, Marcus got fed up with the "bullshit" and started calling out COVID-19 deniers, anti-maskers, and the politicians who enable them on his page. He earned 160,000 likes for cleverly calling out Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst.
Ernst helped spread the conspiracy theory that doctors were falsifying COVID-19 numbers for profit, but then jumped to the front of the line when the vaccine was rolled out.
In August, he began using his Instagram platform to help charities by selling merchandise and donating 20% to Planned Parenthood, No Kid Hungry, Stacey Abrams' Fair Fight.
Earlier this week, Marcus got the brilliant idea of using Rush Limbaugh's death to inspire people to donate money to Planned Parenthood. He began with the reasonable goal of $10,000.
Limbaugh once claimed that Planned Parenthood's goal was the "elimination of black families."
Marcus thought that by accepting donations "In memory of Rush Limbaugh '' he could somehow balance the evil wrought by the political shock jock.
"There needed to be some kind of counterbalance in the universe for the decades of sexist, homophobic, racist, and endlessly discriminatory propaganda that Rush spewed through the airwaves," he told GOOD. "In my mind, Rush biased an entire generation and really helped set the stage for the dangerously incendiary Trump culture we are still contending with."
Since the campaign's inception, it has already raised $500,000 for the women's health organization he calls "pivotal."
Marcus is obviously over the moon about the money and eyebrows he's raised, but he's also had some wonderful interactions with people helped by Planned Parenthood.
"My most satisfying reaction to the fundraiser was a follower who was just radically honest about how Planned Parenthood detected a very severe form of cancer early on and saved her life," he told GOOD.
"I think PP gets so unfairly and unreasonably pigeonholed — by both advocates and opponents — in the polarizing space of abortion when the truth of the matter is that sexual and reproductive health is an essential human right," he continued.
As a "voice of the pandemic," Marcus believes it's his job to deliver some levity and hope in a desperate time. His Planned Parenthood campaign was just another way of providing that to his followers.
"I think the biggest point of all of this is that, especially right now, I think everyone feels powerless, alone, defensive, divided," he said. "Maybe this fundraiser can be a little reminder that there's still unity and humanity right now That even a small contribution can fuel a tremendous impact."
According to Marcus, the average donation is $23.
He hopes the campaign has helped people realize that "even the most bitter and frustrating moments of political division can still yield something meaningful and constructive."
Donate to Planned Parenthood in memory of Rush Limbaugh by opening this link on the Instagram app.
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.