Podcast Summary

Podcast: Más de uno
Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Episode: Monólogo de Alsina: "Medir siempre a los otros"
Date: March 12, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Carlos Alsina opens the morning with his signature blend of information and humor, focusing on the political temptation to measure and denounce hatred, polarization, and discord—always in others, never in oneself. Starting with a satirical anecdote involving fictional gadgets to "measure cordiality and hostility," Alsina critiques how Spanish political discourse is dominated by blame-shifting and a lack of self-awareness in both government and opposition. The conversation transitions into the government’s new "odiómetro" (hate-o-meter) to monitor hate speech online, and concludes with a vivid reportage from Lebanon, illustrating the enduring tragedies of warfare in the Middle East.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Satirical Inventor Story and Political Cordiality

• [00:06–03:50]: Alsina tells a fictional, satirical story about an inventor tasked with creating devices to measure the “cordiality” (cordialómetro), “hostility” (inquinómetro), and “polarization” (polarizómetro) inspired by political speeches.
  • Insight: The "cordialómetro" doesn’t move during a typical political rally, implying a lack of political messages inviting understanding among rivals. In contrast, the "inquinómetro" explodes, reflecting the real impact—provocation and hostility.
  • Memorable quote:

    “...en 40 minutos la aguja no se movió ni un milímetro. El cordialómetro, dijo el inventor. Poni, ¿se ha inmutado, preguntó el orador? No. ...tengo este otro que lo llamo el inquinómetro, y este mide el grado de inquina al adversario que genera un discurso en aquel que lo escucha. ...la aguja ya reventó y dijo 'bingo'."
    —Carlos Alsina [02:10–03:30]

The Government’s "Odiómetro" and Political Hypocrisy

• [03:50–06:10]: Alsina refers to the government’s new tool to monitor online hate speech, humorously dubbed the "odiómetro," and wonders aloud if the same device would be used to scrutinize government and opposition speeches.
  • Insight: He highlights that accusations of hate and polarization are always aimed at political adversaries—never acknowledged as one’s own tactics.
  • Memorable quote:

    “Admitamos que con la polarización ocurre como con la desinformación y con las mentiras, que siempre son cosa del otro… Nunca nadie las admite como herramientas propias.”
    —Carlos Alsina [04:20]

Critique of Spanish Political Dialogue & Diplomacy

• [06:10–09:00]: Alsina pivots from national politics to international diplomacy, critiquing the government’s calls for dialogue abroad while failing to foster negotiation and unity at home (referencing current issues like the war in Iran and Spain’s foreign policy stances).
  • He sensibly notes that diplomacy "starts at home" and criticizes politicians (explicitly mentioning Minister Álvarez and party leaders) for their performative gestures.
  • Memorable quote:

    “La diplomacia empieza por casa.”
    —Carlos Alsina [07:10]

  • He discusses the deadlock: government gestures interpreted as traps by the opposition, and opposition (PP) dismissals of negotiation opportunities, with Vox refusing all dialogue.
    • Example: Félix Bolaños (Minister) seeking a meeting for crisis measures, but PP refusing on grounds of not wanting to boost government PR.

Domestic vs. International Law; Political Cynicism

• [09:00–10:05]: Alsina highlights government inconsistencies: upholding international law while allegedly violating Spanish law by bypassing parliamentary debate on resource allocation.
  • Criticizes lack of internal accountability and the performativity of international posturing—contrasting the Spanish government’s rhetoric versus actions.

Reporting from Lebanon: The Human Cost of War

• [08:06–10:05]: Marta Maroto, Onda Cero’s correspondent in Beirut, gives an evocative report on daily life after more than a year of renewed conflict in Lebanon.
  • Key points:
    • 700,000 displaced, daily bombings, trauma’s return.
    • Makes the war’s impact real with descriptions of bombings, mass displacement, aid distribution, and the Ramadan context.
  • Memorable quote:

    “La guerra son las explosiones. Y también el silencio que le sigue a las bombas, roto por gritos de ansiedad al teléfono y el miedo a que nadie conteste.”
    —Marta Maroto [08:59]

  • Evocative moment: The Red Cross, schools, and families trying to maintain rituals in the chaos.

Closing Thoughts: Cycles of Conflict

• [10:05–End]: Alsina draws a parallel between the endless regional conflicts in the Middle East and the Spanish political tendency to measure hatred and division—always in others.
  • Refers to the "odiómetro" of the Middle East, "disparado desde hace 80 años," highlighting the entrenched cycles of hostility.
  • Memorable quote:

    “En Oriente Próximo, el odiómetro lleva disparado desde hace 80 años.”
    —Carlos Alsina [10:05]

Notable Quotes & Their Timestamps

• Carlos Alsina:
  • “...en 40 minutos la aguja no se movió ni un milímetro. El cordialómetro, dijo el inventor.” [02:10]
  • “Admitamos que con la polarización ocurre como con la desinformación y con las mentiras, que siempre son cosa del otro…” [04:20]
  • “La diplomacia empieza por casa.” [07:10]
  • “En Oriente Próximo, el odiómetro lleva disparado desde hace 80 años.” [10:05]
• Marta Maroto:
  • “La guerra son las explosiones. Y también el silencio que le sigue a las bombas, roto por gritos de ansiedad al teléfono y el miedo a que nadie conteste.” [08:59]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:06–03:50]: Satirical story of political gadgets—the cordialómetro and inquinómetro.
• [03:50–06:10]: Reflection on the government’s odiómetro; critique of measuring hate only in others.
• [06:10–09:00]: The gap between Spain’s international diplomacy and domestic discord; examples with PP, Vox, and government posturing.
• [08:06–10:05]: Marta Maroto’s reporting from Beirut—daily realities of war-torn Lebanon.
• [10:05–End]: Conclusion; comparing endless cycles of Middle East conflict to persistent measurement of political animosity.

Style & Tone

Alsina’s tone throughout is dryly humorous, incisive, and skeptical—using anecdote and irony to expose the contradictions and theatricality of Spanish political life. The human story from Lebanon is poignant and evocative, contrasting sharply with the abstract combativeness of domestic politics.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

The episode smartly dissects how politics everywhere suffers more from mutual blame and spectacle than genuine concord. Through satire, solid critique, and ground reporting from Lebanon, Alsina reveals that the deeper problems of hate and polarization are rarely acknowledged as one’s own—and that, just as "diplomacy starts at home," so too must the drive for unity and understanding.