Podcast Summary: Más de uno – “Seamos naturales”
Host: Carlos Alsina
Guest: Jorge Freire
Date: December 11, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode of Más de uno, Carlos Alsina welcomes philosopher and writer Jorge Freire, who shares a tongue-in-cheek reflection titled “Seamos naturales” (“Let’s Be Natural”). The discussion humorously explores the allure and contradictions of the modern urge to “return to nature,” contrasting romantic ideals with the harsh realities of living away from civilization.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Temptation of Escaping Modern Life
- Jorge opens with a satirical take on how different groups respond to critiques:
- Quote: “A los comunistas solemos decirles aquello de Vete a Cuba. Y a los que abjuramos de la vida moderna suelen decirnos Vete al bosque.” – Jorge Freire [00:14]
(“To communists, we usually say, ‘Go to Cuba.’ And to those of us who renounce modern life, they usually say ‘Go to the woods.’”)
- He mocks the idealized image of living like Zorro (or Thoreau), in communion with nature but still close enough to urban comforts:
- Quote: “Queremos vivir como Zoro, en comunión con la naturaleza, pero a distancia razonable del bar donde alternar con los amigotes y de una madre que nos lave los gall.” – Jorge Freire [00:19]
Irony and Reality of “Natural” Living
- Jorge paints an amusing picture of the supposed delights of rural life:
- Growing your own tomatoes
- Educating children without screens
- Baking homemade bread
- Waking to a rooster crow
- Showering with well water: “...que huele a libertad y a óxido de tractor...” [00:32]
- Walking barefoot “para conectar con la Madre Tierra,” but immediately seeking a blanket “porque la Madre Tierra está muy fría.” [00:34]
- He stresses the challenging and often unromantic aspects of such a lifestyle.
The Trebalión Family’s Story
- Jorge references a real case:
- The Trebalión family, who raised their children deep in the forest in Italy’s Abruzzo region, living so naturally they lacked even a toilet.
- Italian authorities removed their children for not meeting modern standards.
- Quote: “Que yo sepa, a la loba Capitolina nadie le exigió una cédula de habitabilidad para criar al Rómulo y Remo.” – Jorge Freire [00:43]
(“As far as I know, no one ever asked the Capitoline wolf for a certificate of habitability to raise Romulus and Remus.”)
Rousseau, The “Natural Life” Guru
- A nod to Rousseau, the philosopher often associated with the myth of the noble savage:
- Jorge highlights Rousseau’s contradictions:
- “El filósofo ginebrino Jean Jacques Rousseau... abandonó a sus cinco hijos en un hospicio, uno tras otro. Curioso. Hizo muchas andeces, pero por la razón que sea, nunca se le ocurrió criarlos en el bosque.” [01:10]
(“The Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau... abandoned his five children to orphanages, one after another. Interesting. He did many silly things, but, for whatever reason, never thought of raising them in the woods.”)
Closing Reflection: Balance is Key
- Jorge delivers his main conclusion:
- Quote: “A todos nos tienta, Carlos, aislarnos del mundanal ruido, del estrés moderno, de los vecinos, de los tertulianos y hasta de las presuntas fontaneras. Pero una cosa es ser natural y otra muy distinta a silvestrarse. No nos hagamos daño.” [01:33]
(“We’re all tempted, Carlos, to isolate ourselves from the worldly noise, modern stress, neighbors, pundits, even supposed plumbers. But being natural is very different from going feral. Let’s not harm ourselves.”)
Notable Quotes
- “Te duchas con agua de pozo que huele a libertad y a óxido de tractor…” – Jorge Freire [00:32]
- “Una cosa es ser natural y otra muy distinta a silvestrarse. No nos hagamos daño.” – Jorge Freire [01:34]
Memorable Moments & Tone
- Humorous comparisons between philosophical ideals and everyday realities.
- Sharp ironies about historical and modern figures proclaiming the virtues of “nature” (especially Rousseau).
- Memorable imagery, e.g., waking with a rooster but searching for warmth because “the Mother Earth is very cold.”
- The segment is brief (just under 2 minutes) but rich in satirical wit.
Timeline of Important Segments
- [00:14] – Satirical intro: “Go to the woods/go to Cuba”
- [00:34] – “Living natural” daily life details
- [00:43] – Trebalión family anecdote & critique of regulatory authorities
- [01:10] – Rousseau’s contradictions
- [01:33] – Main conclusion: Be natural, but don’t harm yourself by trying to escape too much
Conclusion
Jorge Freire’s segment on “Seamos naturales” uses humor and irony to challenge overly romanticized ideas about living close to nature. He reminds listeners that while it’s tempting to escape the stress of modernity, the realities of “going natural” are far more complex than the myth – and that balance, not extremism, is what keeps us sane. The lively exchange with Carlos Alsina keeps the tone light, witty, and reflective.
