SALT LAKE CITY -- Whether you've watched, listened to or read about the Chilean mine rescue -- or all of the above -- you have joined a jubilant global community in celebrating the latest "feel good" story.

This kind of excitement happens every couple of years, and it's an interesting phenomenon. For a time, negatives in our lives disappear because we simply want to be part of the good news.

We feel like we know him, the latest Chilean miner brought to the surface. We cheer, shed tears of joy; We are part of the celebration.

It's something experts say we long for.

Dr. Jed Ericksen, a psychiatrist at the University Medical Center, said, "We're looking at these men as fellow human beings and, really, people whose lives we care about regardless of their social, economic, political circumstances. We care about them as fellow humans, and we're hopeful to see a good, positive outcome for all concerned."

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Mine rescue evokes memories of local disasters

Millions around the world have been watching as the trapped Chilean miners are being rescued. As one after another emerges, people in countries across the globe are watching -- including the mining industry in Utah.

During these events, Ericksen says, we forget about the U.S. economy, the upcoming election, even personal problems and join with millions to wish, hope, pray -- and it has happened before.

In April of 1970, thousands filled Grand Central Station and the entire world held its collective breath, fearing the damaged Apollo 13 spaceship would burn up as it hit the earth's atmosphere. Instead, the capsule splashed down in the Pacific and the astronauts emerged alive and well.

In 1987, 18-month-old Jessica McClure fell into a well near her Midland, Texas, home. She remained stuck for 58 hours. Again, people around the world watched as cheers went up when she was pulled to safety.

And who can forget the "Miracle on the Hudson" in January of 2009? Birds knocked out the engines of US Airways flight 1549, but all on board survived the landing in the river.

"We all like to be able to recognize that something positive has happened for humankind here," Ericksen said.

It lends hope for the future: for other miners, for people who are in risky occupations. It reassures us that as humankind, we care for one another. We're interested in each other's welfare. It just says something about the fact that maybe the world is smaller than we previously thought.

Technology brings us together, like a group Wednesday at the University of Utah, eyes glued to a giant screen. It puts us there, watching the stories that touch our hearts.

Jeff Hanson, a student at the University of Utah said, "You have no idea where they're from, their culture, what their political views are. You don't care. You're just glad they're alive because they're a human being just like you, and you celebrate that. It's the kind of story that makes you feel good."

There is the physical side of this as well. Many are experiencing a "group adrenaline rush," determined not to sleep until all of the miners have surfaced. It's called solidarity.

E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com

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