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Thursday, September 06, 2007

Search & Rescue Redux

Last week I wrote about the costly but ultimately futile search for tech legend Jim Gray who mysteriously disappeared at sea without a trace last January (see Search & Rescue: Solving big problems to honor Jim Gray). In an eerily similar development, adventurer Steve Fossett has now dropped from sight while piloting a single-engine plane over the Nevada mountains (see the Guardian Unlimited's story Rescuers scour desert for signs of Fossett's plane).

Both men began their journeys in ideal weather conditions, but at best guess fell victim to a sudden violent change in their surroundings. As with Jim Gray before him, Fossett's plight has mobilized a combination of public (civil air patrol and national guard search teams) and private (billionaire friend Richard Branson of Virgin has requested Google Earth's assistance) high-tech resources. Fossett is widely admired for his risk-taking exploits in the vain of past American aviator legends Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart and Howard Hughes, as Gray enjoyed far-reaching mythical status in the 'Net community.

On a very superficial level, it makes one wonder if such attention would be mustered for the loss of you or me. Of course that would require the capacity to embark on such adventures, which is beyond the means of most of us, at least with comparable glamor. I might be able to manage a starless trek across country on my mountain bike, but I doubt my succumbing to mid-continental fatigue, drought or storm would elicit more than a flier posted at the local café (don't make me prove it!).

More seriously, it should challenge us to consider what other impending loss of life ought to compel a wider social focus — be it the man-made tragedy of Darfur, the various worldwide health crises, or the more general threat to our climate. Why does the lack of one man, no matter how influential or interesting, merit so much when millions of others receive so little? Do our limited human minds need a very specific face to place next to our sadness? Do tragedies on a global scale ever register, or do we require the narrowed down demise of the individual to provoke reaction?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Luciano Pavarotti death will be able to let behind in shadow, at least temporary, those two guys.

Yet, i`m affraid the cultural lost would be insignifiant face to finnancial power of some "friends" who`ll want to spend some cash to look for nothing but making themself a great publicity ..

ndpthepoetress Jean Michelle Culp said...

Alright Francis (Franscud) say it like it is, don’t hold back – speak the truth! We hear you! Right on Brother! Equal Rights in all aspects of life – especially Search and Rescue has a long ways yet to go, for now ER merely goes where the money flows.

To Commenter Valentin, I nod in in accordance and join you in bowing our heads in remembrance of this great man Pavarotti

Francis Scudellari said...

Jean and Valentin,

It's a big loss, and Pavarotti was admirable as much for his art as for his lust for life.

Francis Scudellari said...

oops ... Jeane forgive the misspelling. You can call me Frances in retaliation. Oh, and when have you ever known me to hold back :).