zlacker

For additional clarity; The rescue diver, Vernon Unsworth, when asked directly in an interview, minced no words in saying that Musk's plan was bad and that they believed it was a publicity stunt. [1] Their professional opinion about the merits of the plan should be taken as read; they were there, they participated in the rescue, they understood the cave system, and their criticism makes total sense. A monsoon was expected which would flood the cave; there was no time for ad-hoc, experimental technology - they had to act immediately, using tried and true techniques. And I think we all know, in our heart of hearts, that publicity was part of what Musk wanted from the situation (though I do believe Musk cares deeply about children and probably was concerned for these kids).

Musk went on to hire a PI to try and find dirt on this person. [2] That sure feels to me like he couldn't stand the heat and wanted to use his money to slander this man.

I think it's courageous to stand up against one of the most powerful men in the world when he randomly decides to abuse you because you spoke the truth. I don't think the fact that he used the court system to do so detracts.

A man named Saman Kunan, 37 years old, gave his life in that rescue effort; he lost consciousness underwater and could not be resuscitated. Another man, Beirut Pakbara, developed an illness during the operation; he spent the next 18 months in and out of the hospital, before succumbing to the illness. I can't find an age, but photos make it apparent he was a young man. All twelve children were saved, along with their soccer coach. [This is mostly a summary of the Wikipedia article.]

With that context, Musk's actions are just so incredibly, unthinkably petty.

[1] https://youtube.com/shorts/VM31A4UsiU0?feature=share

[2] https://www.businessinsider.in/an-aide-to-elon-musk-hired-a-...

>>maxbon+(OP)
> they're an experienced rescue diver

Pretty sure he's just a dry caver, but he had the local knowledge of the cave system (when it was non-flooded).

>>lamont+E4
Thank you for the correction. I was relying on memory there, which is obviously a dangerous thing to do. After verifying what you said (so as not to make the same mistake twice), I replaced that claim with your correction.

I've given my comment another looking over & I believe it is free of errors; if anyone spots any, please do call them out.

>>maxbon+N5
It is kind of all over the Internet that he's a cave diver to the point where I started to doubt my memory myself. If I look his name up on DDG it comes up with "Vernon Unsworth is a British rescue worker and cave diver" on the sidebar which appears to be from wikipedia, but that information isn't there.

>>maxbon+N5
Based entirely on one throw away line in the movie Thirteen Lives that I just got done watching, I think it is possible that Vern is actually a trained cave diver, but the cave in question was way the hell over his head.