Best of the nice internet in 2020, so far
We're officially halfway through 2020 and it's, uh, not great, Bob! Between the global pandemic and the massive social unrest, many of us are left anxious without much to do but...stare at our screens and become more anxious.
In addition to being a hellscape, the internet is — thankfully — also always home to some wholesomeness, no matter what's going on IRL. Here's some niceness that'll keep you going throughout the rest of the year (well, hopefully):
1. 100-year-old veteran knighted for raising £32 million for healthcare workers
Many people are trying to give back more these days and Captain Tom Moore showed the UK, and the rest of the world, just what's possible. The centenarian who fought in World War II was honored by the Queen for raising almost 40 million in U.S. dollars. Wholesome!
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2. This man's touching reunion with his donkey
Quarantine has many people away from loved ones, and some of those loved ones are pets. Here, in one of the most 2020 headlines so far, a man sees his beloved donkey for the first time since Spain's lockdown. The video is in Spanish, but the feels are universal.
3. A mashup of Tiger King and Game of Thrones
This year, escaping into the throes of TV has been some of the only solace we've had. Perhaps that's why YouTuber Jed Segovia combined Tiger King, one of the standout shows of the year, with Game of Thrones, one of the most popular shows of...ever. Watch and forget about the world for one minute and 49 seconds!
4. Kid raises over $290,000 for Australia's bushfires
Can you believe the Australian bushfires occurred this year amongst [gestures vaguely around] everything else? Not to stress you out in an article about wholesome internet, but they did. Regardless, six-year-old Owen Colley decided to take matters into his own hands and raised money by exchanging adorable clay koalas for donation funds. As of early July, the amount has climbed to $290,000.
5. Malala Yousafzai graduated and is ready to watch Netflix
The Class of 2020's graduation was much different than those in years past, but that didn't make them any less celebratory. Nobel laureate and activist Malala Yousafzai recently completed her degree and, as she said on Twitter, "I don’t know what’s ahead. For now, it will be Netflix, reading and sleep."
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6. The butthole song, courtesy of this adorable child
Sharp pivot here, but a worthy one. Eight-year-old Jolee Dunn rocked the music world in May with her song "I Wonder What's Inside Your Butthole." Not only is Dunn's song a grade A slapper, but it sparked many remixes and parodies. At least one hearty chuckle guaranteed.
7. Chill lo-fi YouTube channels to relax to
The world is pretty chaotic right now, so perhaps your music choice should keep it chill. Lo-fi music can help with just that. They're beats designed to give you that warm fuzzy feeling reminiscent of listening to a dusty vinyl record. Listen and melt into your chair.
8. John Krasinski's Some Good News
Corporatization aside, John Krasinski's Some Good News contained...some good news! For eight weeks, the Office actor offered viewers an alternative to their usual news sources (cable and Twitter) and the usual depressing fare. The show may be over (for now, at least), but the #SomeGoodNews hashtag lives on.
9. Take amusement park food tours from your bedroom
You may not be able to travel this summer, but fear not: YouTubers can fill the void. While some vloggers travel abroad for a living, others stay a bit more local, but that doesn't mean their content is any less interesting. In fact, it can feel comforting and familiar to watch someone sample your favorite theme park's greasy food options. It's almost like you're there yourself.
10. Commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses
It's long overdue, but America is finally waking up to the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses. We explained why it's a crucial step towards equality and rounded up ways to find local businesses near you. For those looking to support, this is an easy way to do so.
No one knows what the latter half of 2020 will bring — and we may shudder to think about it — but for now, we can enjoy these bright spots.
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Anna Iovine is the associate editor of features at Mashable. Previously, as the sex and relationships reporter, she covered topics ranging from dating apps to pelvic pain. Before Mashable, Anna was a social editor at VICE and freelanced for publications such as Slate and the Columbia Journalism Review. Follow her on Bluesky.
