This American Life: interview with Eric of S/V Rebel Heart.

[s/v Faith]

I have listened to "This American Life" on NPR for years.

It is an excellent show, and they find very interesting stories to cover.

It is on right now, they are doing an EXCELLENT job with the story!

It is show number 525, it is playing today and will be available online sometime on Monday.

-----

Story is over, it was the first 20 minute segment of the show.  No judgement on the part of the report, mostly focused on the chain of events leading to the call to set off the EPIRB and the consequences.

The into talked about the various opinions voiced by those on the shore, and this was mentioned again at the end.  Eric did a great job telling the story, and Ira (the commentator) asked good questions.  I liked that he clarified that not all of us are rich, and that the boat represented the family's home and possessions.

I suspect there will be folks searching for more information on the story, if so "Welcome to SailFar.net".

[Jim_ME]

I was surprised to hear this story just earlier today... I was just going to post about it (perhaps adding as an additional source and update to the existing thread on Rebel Heart), but you've beat me to it, Craig.  :)

I agree that This American Life is a great program, with extensive archives of stories that one can listen to anytime.

The direct link to this episode that includes the story on Rebel Heart is... 
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/525/call-for-help
"Episode Available Sunday 7PM Central"

Have several thoughts on the story too and I'm looking forward to discussing, but guess I should wait for others to have a chance to hear it themselves first.

[Kettlewell]

I can't listen to this as I find This American Life so irritating that I refuse to listen. It's a combination of Ira Glass' voice, which I hate, and the never-ending stream of depressing stories told in the most depressing manner that I will not put up with. Why not schedule a root canal and a colonoscopy instead? Yes, there are lots of problems out there in the world, but I'm more of a "glass is half full" type of guy. Instead, Glass seems to think it is always half empty and it leaks and its ruining your last good shirt, but besides you're dieing of cancer and it might be the last water you ever drink before they shut the water off because you haven't paid the bill.........

[CharlieJ]

I can't listen to this as I find This American Life so irritating that I refuse to listen. It's a combination of Ira Glass' voice, which I hate, and the never-ending stream of depressing stories told in the most depressing manner that I will not put up with. Why not schedule a root canal and a colonoscopy instead? Yes, there are lots of problems out there in the world, but I'm more of a "glass is half full" type of guy. Instead, Glass seems to think it is always half empty and it leaks and its ruining your last good shirt, but besides you're dieing of cancer and it might be the last water you ever drink before they shut the water off because you haven't paid the bill.........

;D  ;D  ;D
now tell us how you really feel

;D  ;D  ;D

Never heard the program. Maybe I'll skip it!

[Jim_ME]

Like Craig seems to, I find This American Life a good program. Ira Glass' voice has never irritated me, and what is usually my primary interest is the story of those being interviewed, in their own voices. That is certainly the case with the owners of Rebel Heart, and they do provide information (and from the viewpoint of the sailors involved) here that is unavailable anywhere else (as far as I know).

I have not found the show depressing. Often it may be about challenging issues, but usually I find that the way the subjects overcome adversity or at least come to terms with it, is inspiring and thought provoking.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. To each his own. I did not want to begin to discuss the particulars of the S/V Rebel Heart owners interview now even with Craig, since I did not want to preempt and color the way anyone else might experience it, but let them come at it fresh, as I was able to. [Can always discuss it later.]

I would encourage listening to this episode and others (even from the archives) and form your own judgments, hopefully based on the substance of the stories.

[s/v Faith]

Some of the most humorous, well told stories I have ever heard were on This American Life.

Try this 10 minute "long walk off a short pier" as an example.

Many many good hours of storytelling...  Sometimes dark, sometimes funny, but rarely disappointing....

Different ships, different longsplices.

[Kettlewell]

'This American Life' Completes Documentation Of Liberal, Upper-Middle-Class Existence

http://www.theonion.com/articles/this-american-life-completes-documentation-of-libe,2188/

[s/v Faith]

'This American Life' Completes Documentation Of Liberal, Upper-Middle-Class Existence

http://www.theonion.com/articles/this-american-life-completes-documentation-of-libe,2188/

:). I would ?ot put too much stock in "The Onion" for accurate information.


That aside, my purpose in posting the link was not to promote This American Life, but rather to share a story that applies to us alł that happened to be covered there.

The interview is worth a listen.  I is the first 20 minute segment of the program, so one need not łisten to any more of the show if they do not wish to.

[Jim_ME]

I'm tempted to write something humorous, as The Onion often does so well, but remind myself that this story--of a toddler getting sick, of a major rescue being done, of a family's boat and home being lost, of the distress that they suffered, of what we all might learn from their misfortune--is a fairly serious one.

[Jim_ME]

A transcript of this episode is now available...

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/525/transcript

[Captain Smollett]

A transcript of this episode is now available...

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/525/transcript

That was an amazing interview.  It actually brought tears to my eyes.

The only comment I wish to make by way of "takeaway lesson" is to draw attention to the failure of the sat phone.  Man; what a story that tidbit is.  The whole thing is quite a story, but the sat phone subplot focuses attention on a lot of things we've discussed here at sailfar.

The tech, the gadgets, can fail at any time for the craziest reasons.  Really, what happened to their phone is just nuts.

[w00dy]

Man, I love the Onion...