On the Web for the past 40 hours, we have all been Chilean.
In a rare moment of global rejoicing over a hazardous plight ending happily - with international cooperation, glad shouts from massed crowds in the night, the tears of happy spouses and children as the miners emerge - the Internet has been not only the bearer of glad images and texts, but also a warm, embracing, unifying force.
As of Oct. 12, 2010, TV and Web converged to tell a story of success, unity and jubilation. "JOY AS FIRST CHILE MINERS RESCUED" was the exuberant headline on BBCnews.com. Throughout the Web, hundreds of news sites live-streamed the compelling video. (Web sites do what TV used to do and still does: Blare "LIVE COVERAGE!") Others, like Al Jazeera, ran live blogs. It led most major news sites here and abroad, elbowing out glum tidings of economic slump and vicious politics. User traffic was so heavy that many sites, such as those for the BBC and CNN, slowed way down.