No Video Games For Trapped Chilean Miners

Despite being reportedly sent PSPs down their fancy supply tube, the Chilean miners trapped underground have been told that they’re not allowed to play video games to help pass the time.

Speaking with the Washington Post, Alberto Iturra Benavides – the “rescue effort’s lead psychiatrist” – has said the miners are being barred from using both video game consoles and music players, because they “tend to isolate people from one another”.

And with 33 men in a delicate mental state, that’s not what’s needed. “With earphones, if they’re listening to music and someone calls them, asking for help or to warn them about something, they’re not available. What they need is to be together.”

Bummer. So, what can they do? Watch TV and watch movies. 13 hours a day. Better than nothing, I guess, but with the miners stuck there until at least early November, don’t be surprised if one or two of them chew their arms off and try to make a run for it, lest their Animal Crossing towns fall into disrepair.

Chile’s trapped miners get Brad Pitt, not Nintendo [Washington Post]