After their first three days, their helmet lights went out. It wasn't until 17 days later that it was even discovered that they were alive. 33 men spent two dark months in a mine, and finally, this past week, the Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 69 days, were rescued. No sooner were they out of the ground, then that money started rolling in.
The miners had made a pact of silence to not talk about their experiences 2,000 feet into the earth. The pact isn't really lasting, and the miners have asked for as low as $40, to as high as $25,000 for interviews about their experiences in the mine. Who can blame them? Media outlets are willing to pay. One miner, did an Argentinian interview for a drink, while another miner held his Chilean interview for over $1,000.
What is this saying about the world that we live in? Let's offer them counseling services, rest, maybe a better job, and give them time with their families that they haven't seen in months and might have thought they would never see again. Nope. Lets harass them relentlessly and offer them thousands of dollars for interviews, for books, for possible movie rights!
A few hundred years ago, if there were a ship lost at sea for months that returned to harbor, families would rejoice, friends would embrace, and a local newspaper might write a story and even a follow up. Those lost at sea would need time to recuperate, spend days with loved ones, and try and put their lives back together.
Now, we as consumers demand stories, and eat up the experiences of others for our own entertainment. Am I the only one who finds this reality as twisted?
In the age of the 24 hour news cycle people demand stories and media outlets provide. It's all about the big story and it's all about getting to the source before another reporter has the chance.
ReplyDeleteBeing informed is important and finding the balance between necessary information and a reasonable time span for retrieving it seems to be unnecessary to our "tell me now" culture.
I agree with you Alan that it does seem a little much to be so pressing on the miners, but do you think the miners don't like cashing in a little? Everyone enjoys their 15 minutes of fame. And I'm sure the ones that want to be left alone are getting annoyed but they've probably slammed the door in enough reporters faces they they're being left alone by now.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Susan, you are right, the miners don't mind their 15 minutes of fame, or cashing in. I just think it is ridiculous that the world is in a place where they are getting this kind of a response to their near-death experiences.
ReplyDeleteSadly people will pay money to read, watch or do anything. I enjoy the perspective.
ReplyDeleteI say mad props to the miners for making some mad cash! They had their reunion with their families, a hug from the president, and I am sure several "Welcome Home" celebrations, now its time to make some cash! Do I wish the media would be less like a rabid pack of dogs? Sure, but everybody has to make a living, and in journalism its survival of the fittest.
ReplyDeleteAt least in Chile the media only has these guys doing interviews. In America they would be on participants on "Dancing With The Stars".
i'm pretty sure the company they were all working for went belly up during this whole debacle, so maybe part of the fundage is to comp them for the time and $$ they lost while being off for over 2 months. the bills don't stop because you're stuck in a mine.
ReplyDeleteA better question: what did these dudes smell like when they emerged?
And Travis, you can only make DWTS if you're a has been (Jennifer Grey), current reality star (Situation), or tabloid fodder (Bristol Palin)
Kevin