Comments on: Chile mine rescue efforts under way: something like space travel http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 01:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: jimmosk http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909313 jimmosk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909313 Xeni, I'm thinking these rescuers have a lot in common with the many police and firefighters who ran into the World Trade Center towers nine years ago... Xeni, I’m thinking these rescuers have a lot in common with the many police and firefighters who ran into the World Trade Center towers nine years ago…

]]> By: Niklas http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909569 Niklas Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909569 The video cameras had been sent down very early during the rescue operation to allow the miners contact with their families on the surface. The video cameras had been sent down very early during the rescue operation to allow the miners contact with their families on the surface.

]]> By: Niklas http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909314 Niklas Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909314 Seems we are watching the same feed but not interpreting what the people are doing in the same manner… I see no circus, I see safety equipment, I see personnel and spectators divided, I see a sheltered medical camp and I could care less about the aesthetic differences between south american and US television. Seems we are watching the same feed but not interpreting what the people are doing in the same manner… I see no circus, I see safety equipment, I see personnel and spectators divided, I see a sheltered medical camp and I could care less about the aesthetic differences between south american and US television.

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909315 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909315 I think you are right. I think you are right.

]]> By: BurntHombre http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909572 BurntHombre Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909572 <blockquote>Couldn't help a cynical smile at the first picture in the BBCs slideshow (hopefully here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11529537), first miner up being embraced first by the chilean president while his family wait.</blockquote> No need for the cynicism. If you watched the video, you'd see that the wife and child both had long embraces with the miner before the president stepped in.

Couldn’t help a cynical smile at the first picture in the BBCs slideshow (hopefully here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11529537), first miner up being embraced first by the chilean president while his family wait.

No need for the cynicism. If you watched the video, you’d see that the wife and child both had long embraces with the miner before the president stepped in.

]]> By: igpajo http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909317 igpajo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909317 I'm thinking at some point there's going to be just one of these rescuers sitting down there all by themselves, waiting for that pod to return one last time. What a nerve racking hour that's going to be!! Agree with jimmosk...these rescuers are pretty hardcore. I’m thinking at some point there’s going to be just one of these rescuers sitting down there all by themselves, waiting for that pod to return one last time. What a nerve racking hour that’s going to be!!

Agree with jimmosk…these rescuers are pretty hardcore.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909318 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909318 I'm just curious, why not put a pulley at the top of that and a lot of really strong ass rope, chain, metal wire whatever, and just pull em up one by one? I’m just curious, why not put a pulley at the top of that and a lot of really strong ass rope, chain, metal wire whatever, and just pull em up one by one?

]]> By: Freddy de la Cruz http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909319 Freddy de la Cruz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909319 As a Chilean, working for a minning safety company, i can say that there is a safety line and the capsule is more that just an empty birdcage. Chile is the #1 Copper producer in the world and some of the best technology in the field is produced and/or used here. I use a Movement and Surveying Radar (MSR) to monitor a minning operation 3000 meters higher and 300 kilometers away from me. All miners in Chile are considered a different breed. And the rescuers and firefighters are very professional due the amount of earthquakes, tsunamis and others disasters that they have to face. ¡Viva Chile! As a Chilean, working for a minning safety company, i can say that there is a safety line and the capsule is more that just an empty birdcage. Chile is the #1 Copper producer in the world and some of the best technology in the field is produced and/or used here. I use a Movement and Surveying Radar (MSR) to monitor a minning operation 3000 meters higher and 300 kilometers away from me.

All miners in Chile are considered a different breed. And the rescuers and firefighters are very professional due the amount of earthquakes, tsunamis and others disasters that they have to face.

¡Viva Chile!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909320 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909320 Why are they sending more rescuers down into the mine? And.. who is going to check the capsule for the last guy? Why are they sending more rescuers down into the mine? And.. who is going to check the capsule for the last guy?

]]> By: lectio http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909323 lectio Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909323 I'm glad there are people out there that can walk into mines to go to work. And even more glad that there are people who go down there to help rescue them (and who work on the surface to help, too). I hope all of the 33 and the rescuers make it out safely. I’m glad there are people out there that can walk into mines to go to work. And even more glad that there are people who go down there to help rescue them (and who work on the surface to help, too).

I hope all of the 33 and the rescuers make it out safely.

]]> By: chgoliz http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909581 chgoliz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909581 "With all the talk of tiny capsules, oxygen masks, and extreme psychological transitions, I keep thinking how much this phase of the rescue effort reminds me of astronauts' accounts of space travel. Those of you who, like me, are watching it live: aren't you reminded of Buzz and Neil landing on the moon?" Well, sure, considering the fact that NASA has been there since August 31st providing support based on experience: http://www.nasa.gov/news/chile_assistance.html “With all the talk of tiny capsules, oxygen masks, and extreme psychological transitions, I keep thinking how much this phase of the rescue effort reminds me of astronauts’ accounts of space travel. Those of you who, like me, are watching it live: aren’t you reminded of Buzz and Neil landing on the moon?”

Well, sure, considering the fact that NASA has been there since August 31st providing support based on experience:

http://www.nasa.gov/news/chile_assistance.html

]]> By: E. Howe http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909330 E. Howe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909330 Space travel? Ye gods, you've watched too much Sci-fi. This is a rebirthing I ever saw one--It is Gaia giving birth to humanity. Quit with the phallacy/fallacy of space travel! Xeni, I loves me some of you most of the time, but this is Way more than masks and capsules, this is a Sheila-na-gig on a world scale. Space travel? Ye gods, you’ve watched too much Sci-fi. This is a rebirthing I ever saw one–It is Gaia giving birth to humanity. Quit with the phallacy/fallacy of space travel! Xeni, I loves me some of you most of the time, but this is Way more than masks and capsules, this is a Sheila-na-gig on a world scale.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909341 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909341 This mine is just 15 minutes from my uncles' town. These people usually live in harsh and poor conditions, in the middle of the desert, with copper contaminated shores. Watching these families cry when they see the father emerging makes me cry. It's amazing what they have accomplished. This mine is just 15 minutes from my uncles’ town. These people usually live in harsh and poor conditions, in the middle of the desert, with copper contaminated shores.

Watching these families cry when they see the father emerging makes me cry. It’s amazing what they have accomplished.

]]> By: Dragonflye http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909861 Dragonflye Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909861 I've been watching the International stream of CNN on-line all day from here in Canada and it has been very tasteful coverage. Just the background chatter of the Chileans. I hope everything goes as smoothly as it has been so far. The total stands at 20 rescued right now with the 21st on the way up... I’ve been watching the International stream of CNN on-line all day from here in Canada and it has been very tasteful coverage. Just the background chatter of the Chileans.

I hope everything goes as smoothly as it has been so far. The total stands at 20 rescued right now with the 21st on the way up…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909351 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909351 CHEERS!!!!!! CHEERS!!!!!!

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909354 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909354 For some odd reason, I can't stop singing <i>Vamos Mujer</i>. At least this has a happy ending. For some odd reason, I can’t stop singing Vamos Mujer. At least this has a happy ending.

]]> By: moosehunter http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909374 moosehunter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909374 Is pretty strange that the newcasters are going on and on about how emotionally scarred the miners are going to be, after being trapped for so long underground ... huh? these guys are MINERS, its what they do- while its uncomfortable, unplesant and tedious, its really no diffrent , in terms of ambience, that their normal day. My guess, is that it being tuesday, most of these guys will be back monday at work. The benifit of modern practice is that these kinds of rescues are even possible, even as recent as 50 years ago would have seen the entire crew dead of aphyiation on aug 6. What we saw in Utah, and in Pennsylvania underscores that. for the past 2 months these miners have been active in the rescue operation, normally in hard rock mining, air is blown down the shaft to remove the rock dust and debris from the boring operation- in this case, large hammer drills followed an existing hole down to the chamber where the miners were, and the miners cleared all the debris by hand as if fell down the shaft. as for being like astronauts, I dunno, as all the the astro's knew what they were getting into, did PR before, during and after their missions and were hand picked to be photogenic(as least the first ones were at any rate) these miners were just going to work, and the mine blew up.. Its great to see them come out,and it underscores how dangerous the job is. One wonderes about the lack of coverage abuot the numbers of missing and dead still underground... hopefully the chilean govt is giving them hazard back pay,,, Is pretty strange that the newcasters are going on and on about how emotionally scarred the miners are going to be, after being trapped for so long underground … huh? these guys are MINERS, its what they do-
while its uncomfortable, unplesant and tedious, its really no diffrent , in terms of ambience, that their normal day. My guess, is that it being tuesday, most of these guys will be back monday at work.

The benifit of modern practice is that these kinds of rescues are even possible, even as recent as 50 years ago would have seen the entire crew dead of aphyiation on aug 6. What we saw in Utah, and in Pennsylvania underscores that.

for the past 2 months these miners have been active in the rescue operation, normally in hard rock mining, air is blown down the shaft to remove the rock dust and debris from the boring operation- in this case, large hammer drills followed an existing hole down to the chamber where the miners were, and the miners cleared all the debris by hand as if fell down the shaft.

as for being like astronauts, I dunno, as all the the astro’s knew what they were getting into, did PR before, during and after their missions and were hand picked to be photogenic(as least the first ones were at any rate)
these miners were just going to work, and the mine blew up..

Its great to see them come out,and it underscores how dangerous the job is. One wonderes about the lack of coverage abuot the numbers of missing and dead still underground…

hopefully the chilean govt is giving them hazard back pay,,,

]]> By: Chris Tucker http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909376 Chris Tucker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909376 RE: The rescue miners going down the shaft: "The Right Stuff. They has it!" The second miner up, he brought souvenirs for the topside crew! Chunks of rock from the mine. RE: The rescue miners going down the shaft:

“The Right Stuff. They has it!”

The second miner up, he brought souvenirs for the topside crew!

Chunks of rock from the mine.

]]> By: Chris Tucker http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909377 Chris Tucker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909377 "<I>¡Viva Chile!</I>" Señor de la Cruz speaks for me! “¡Viva Chile!”

Señor de la Cruz speaks for me!

]]> By: Snig http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909634 Snig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909634 I usually think that too, kind of wish you were yelling STFU into their earpieces. Same thing at the Olympics, commentators really ruin it for me. I usually think that too, kind of wish you were yelling STFU into their earpieces.

Same thing at the Olympics, commentators really ruin it for me.

]]> By: prof_jellis http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909404 prof_jellis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909404 After the fifth miner came up, it seems they did an especially thorough check of the capsule (maybe they did this each time, and this is just the only one I caught) Anyway, I had to smile at the unmistakable sound of duct tape being pulled off the roll as they banged each roller out, for inspection or maybe replacement ... engineering operations sound similar everywhere. After the fifth miner came up, it seems they did an especially thorough check of the capsule (maybe they did this each time, and this is just the only one I caught) Anyway, I had to smile at the unmistakable sound of duct tape being pulled off the roll as they banged each roller out, for inspection or maybe replacement … engineering operations sound similar everywhere.

]]> By: GaryG http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909424 GaryG Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909424 Couldn't help a cynical smile at the first picture in the BBCs slideshow (hopefully here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11529537), first miner up being embraced first by the chilean president while his family wait. The look on his sons face though is where it's at, the heart of this story. Good wishes to all of them. Couldn’t help a cynical smile at the first picture in the BBCs slideshow (hopefully here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11529537), first miner up being embraced first by the chilean president while his family wait.

The look on his sons face though is where it’s at, the heart of this story. Good wishes to all of them.

]]> By: moosehunter http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-910462 moosehunter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910462 in response to Niklas: just to remind everyone that this is NOT the first time this kind of rescue has been done. 45 miners were brounght to the surface with the same type of Capsule in 2002 at QueClas in Quebec. some of the equipmetn is german, most of it is canadian, and much of the expertice is american its grreat to see them out, threee cheer and all that in response to Niklas:

just to remind everyone that this is NOT the first time this kind of rescue has been done.

45 miners were brounght to the surface with the same type of Capsule in 2002 at QueClas in Quebec.

some of the equipmetn is german, most of it is canadian, and much of the expertice is american

its grreat to see them out, threee cheer and all that

]]> By: andygates http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909440 andygates Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909440 Awesome though this is (and really, as a kid raised on Thunderbirds, it is pure awesome), I've now got the Sheela-na-giggles. Awesome though this is (and really, as a kid raised on Thunderbirds, it is pure awesome), I’ve now got the Sheela-na-giggles.

]]> By: EeyoreX http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909447 EeyoreX Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909447 I got a litte misty-eyed too, when the first miner came out of the hole. So now I´m just gonna toss this link in here, as a little reminder that real life doesn't have Hollywood endings: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/chile/7978509/Mistresses-and-wives-clash-over-trapped-Chilean-miners.html If anything, its more like a farce written by Ben Elton. I got a litte misty-eyed too, when the first miner came out of the hole.

So now I´m just gonna toss this link in here, as a little reminder that real life doesn’t have Hollywood endings:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/chile/7978509/Mistresses-and-wives-clash-over-trapped-Chilean-miners.html

If anything, its more like a farce written by Ben Elton.

]]> By: Gag Halfrunt http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909455 Gag Halfrunt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909455 The ninth miner, Mario Gomez, has just come out. The ninth miner, Mario Gomez, has just come out.

]]> By: Gag Halfrunt http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909465 Gag Halfrunt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909465 Number ten, Alex Vega, has just arrived. Number ten, Alex Vega, has just arrived.

]]> By: cjp http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909467 cjp Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909467 Even hubby cried a bit when Mario came out. Guy's got black lung but he wanted to stay in the mine to help out the others because he felt that was his place in life. Even hubby cried a bit when Mario came out. Guy’s got black lung but he wanted to stay in the mine to help out the others because he felt that was his place in life.

]]> By: Micah http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909500 Micah Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909500 Here's the correct link for the BBC slideshow: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11529537 Here’s the correct link for the BBC slideshow:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11529537

]]> By: ethancoop http://boingboing.net/2010/10/12/chile-mine-rescue-ef.html#comment-909516 ethancoop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-909516 "I dunno. When the rescuer got out of the pod in the mine and greeted everyone, he stood there like Superman. I'm thinking he thought he was hot shit!" ======================== My wife & I saw that too & had a good laugh about it. The other thing I noticed when the first rescuer got down there was that one or two of the miners had video cameras recording the whole thing. Why in the world did they have video cameras? “I dunno. When the rescuer got out of the pod in the mine and greeted everyone, he stood there like Superman. I’m thinking he thought he was hot shit!”

========================

My wife & I saw that too & had a good laugh about it.
The other thing I noticed when the first rescuer got down there was that one or two of the miners had video cameras recording the whole thing. Why in the world did they have video cameras?

]]>