Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

October 17, 2010

You may have noticed I’ve been silent on the miner’s front. That’s not because I don’t care but because I’ve been pretty far removed from it. While we were in the U.S. a few people asked about it — those who did had been following the story religiously. But it was an every day topic of conversation with 24 hour coverage the way it seems it was in Chile.

We were on a plane back to Santiago when the rescue started. As breakfast was being served, the pilot announced, “They’ve just brought out the 6th miner.” There was some mild clapping, but for the most part, the reaction was not overly jubilant. I believe this was around 5am, but I didn’t look at my watch so I’m not sure. The yawns could explain the lack of enthusiasm.

Seba and I got home and promptly hit the pillow with Papito. We spent the day napping after a long flight and even if we had been awake, we would’ve had to stream the live coverage because Seba’s parents’ TV broke.

To be blunt, I just wasn’t that into it. Of course I was happy that the miners were ok, but I didn’t follow the saga. The excitement of it never reached me all the way up in Michigan. Now that we’re back, the rescue is still a topic of conversation, but I’m sure the fervor isn’t near the levels it was a few days ago. I can see that the whole thing is already fading from the public eye. Now the criticism begins — How much money did the government spend? Why did the press turn this into a tabloid freak show? Is someone going to help these miners manage their newfound wealth?

I’m curious as to whether or not the press coverage is continuing in other countries? Was this all just a blip on the radar? Or do people world wide finally know where Chile is now?

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8 Comments

I have to say that the media coverage here is the Northeast has been continuous and the topic has been active around the water cooler, particularly in the days following the rescue. I was surprised how many Americans were interested and to the degree they were interested. The miners here are known by their given names or some other identifying feature (the foreman, the showman, etc.)Friends and family are *finally* asking us about Chile (after hubby has lived here for 20+ years!?!?). It was even discussed in our daughter’s classroom. We were quite surprised!

Comment by Dee — October 18, 2010 @ 7:27 am

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Welcome home. My following of the rescue has been dictated by what filters through my reams of RSS feeds and news glancing. It seemed to get fair play across the media but now commentary has shifted to cynicism regarding the sunglasses given to the miners as they were extracted from the depths.

At least that keeps some element of the story running. Chinese mining disasters don’t seem to draw as much attention and no one’s keeping up with Haiti or Pakistan.

Comment by Brendan — October 18, 2010 @ 7:38 am

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It was a VERY BIG BLIP on the radar! Apparently the most watched event after 2 World Cup Finals and Obama’s inauguration speech! Here in the UK the BBC did an amazing coverage…they spent loads on it though and were also criticized for it.

It’s weird this has had better ratings than the Earthquake in Chile, Haiti or the floods in Pakistan…I suppose it was the world’s ultimate reality show and ‘feel good’ story.

Comment by Chilean in the UK — October 18, 2010 @ 8:58 am

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I hope the miners return safely and soon to their normal lives. The sooner the better.

Comment by Marmo — October 18, 2010 @ 9:09 am

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I wondered the same thing (about people knowing where Chile is or that it exists period) after the earthquake. People seemed to know about for about two weeks after the earthquake but then it faded quickly from their minds. We will see if it is the same with the miners. Either way, I think it’s a shame that it takes such tragedies for people to learn even a tiny bit about Chile.

Also I agree with your feelings on the miners. I’m happy that they are safe, but the media circus and being glued to the TV — not for me.

Comment by Kelly — October 18, 2010 @ 10:19 am

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the people at work really did not talk about it, I think there was one casual reference, the TV was another story…once the rescue started Sky news went to complete non stop coverage until the very end….and I got sucked in, not only because my wife is Chilean, but more so because the hotel only has 11 channels on the TV….now the coverage is fading but I have seen a couple of specials advertised….the Irish are more focused on their economic crisis and how they “mucked it up”…it should be interesting to go back to Chile next month..

Comment by Brendan — October 18, 2010 @ 1:46 pm

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The story has received lots of TV and radio coverage here in Europe. I’m absolutely impressed with way those guys organized themselves below, a natural leader rising to the tasks of setting up systems of routines and rules for keeping people calm, and also the outpouring of help from Chileans (i.e., the man who started bank accounts for the survivors was an impressive fellow) as well as the foreign technical assistance that arrived in time to be of use and the joint development of various back up plans for getting them out. It was a very refreshing news story with a reminder of the human capacity for solidarity and survival and capacity to help others. Loved the whole story and am glad they’re all back in the arms of their loved ones. I hope they all rake in money from the future TV dramas that will be produced…

Comment by Beverly — October 18, 2010 @ 3:24 pm

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It was a big story here, with round-the-clock coverage on the news channels of the rescue. I think the US is singlarly insular when it comes to news reporting – if it’s not in the US, or affecting the US, the news just doesn’t get through. Europe is pretty different in my experience.
Il Presidente was here this week, visiting “Call Me Dave” Cameron and the other famous Elizabeth.

1 billion people watched the rescue, apparently. (I must admit, I didn’t but then I tend to read the papers rather than watch the news)

Comment by Eliza Claire — October 19, 2010 @ 2:58 pm

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