It has been interesting in watching the coverage of the rescue of the Chilean miners, the first emerging from the ground in a tube-like capsule reminiscent of some early NASA experiment to test the ability of astronauts to withstand claustrophobia. At this point, 9 miners have made it to the top and it appears that it will take the better part of today, perhaps into tomorrow, before the last men are brought to the surface.
It’s nice to finally have a story dominating our 24 hour news cycle that is, at this point, good news. It’s refreshing to feel good after watching a story being covered to the nth degree, having every possible aspect examined until the viewer just stops hearing words and focuses on the images before them. I’m just glad that everyone is focused on a story of rescue and the coming together of people rather than watching stories with morbid curiosity about the personal horror stories of others. This is a story that is about the better parts of us.
Probably the biggest danger for the miners who have made it to the surface thus far is having to deal with the clamor over this whole thing without the comfort of their mining companions. After hearing psychologists speaking about the mental challenges that face these men once they are freed then seeing how well these fellows have survived thus far, I found myself believing that these guys were going to be fine after this because of the camaraderie they experienced with one another. I have a feeling that it will be tougher going for them out of the mines.
Together, they were a group that came together to survive an ordeal unlike anything else. Above ground, they will be without that support system for the most part. I will be interested in seeing how many of them return to the mines and how quickly. My bet is that many will be down below again sooner than one might think.
But it is good news. It’s good to see a celebration of joy for once. Let’s relish this until the next horror story takes over the newscycle.
Redtree Times 
I can’t help but think about the last man to come out. He’ll be the only one that had to wait there alone.
I would imagine the last man out will be a rescue worker but even so, the waiting throughout the day for the last few miners down there must be excruciating.
Following the explosion of Deepwater Horizon, I became a regular reader of The Oil Drum, a peak oil site with a whole lot of folks patient enough to explain the intricacies of oil and gas to the hordes of newbies who showed up.
Heading Out, one of the staff there and a frequent contributor, has some interesting posts about the on-going rescue in Chile on his own blog, including some interesting tech details and some reflections on the larger context surrounding the events.
Rescue of Chilean Miners Continues…
As with the BP disaster, I’m awed by the skill and dedication of the people who made rescue possible.