Todo Concostrina | "La muerte de Albert Einstein y un periodista con palabra"

Podcast: Todo Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: April 18, 2024

Overview

In this engaging episode, Nieves Concostrina explores the fascinating events surrounding the death of Albert Einstein—specifically, the remarkable discretion with which his final wishes were (and weren't) respected, and the extraordinary journalistic integrity involved in keeping exclusive photos of his last moments secret for 55 years. Blending history with sharp wit, Concostrina navigates the intersection of science, privacy, and journalism, using the peculiar story of a Life magazine photographer, Ralph Morse, who captured the most exclusive images relating to Einstein's death—and then kept his word never to publish them, as per the wishes of Einstein’s family.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Einstein’s Last Will – Privacy Over Posterity

• Strict Wishes: Einstein demanded utmost discretion for his death—incineration, no grave, monument, or public mourning. He opposed any kind of "fetishism" with his remains or memory.
  • “Olvidaos de fetichismos conmigo debió decir, quedaos con mis ecuaciones, mis teorías, a ver si las entendéis y dejadme en paz.” (Nieves, 01:48)
• Violation of Wishes: Despite Einstein's explicit instructions, two doctors breached his privacy: his ophthalmologist took his eyeballs and Dr. Thomas Harvey took his brain, slicing it for study and distribution.
  • “Por eso ahora el cerebro está más loncheado que un salchichón de guijuelo…” (Nieves, 02:18)

2. Journalism with Integrity – The Life Magazine Story

• The Scoop That Wasn’t: Ralph Morse, veteran photographer (Life), went to great lengths (and used whiskey as ‘currency’) to document Einstein’s death, securing exclusive images of his office, coffin, and private cremation.
  • “Ralph Morse fue el reportero que fotografió en exclusiva la mesa de trabajo de Einstein, tal y como estaba el día que murió...” (Nieves, 03:41)
• Unpublished Photos: On returning to New York with his exclusive, Morse was told by his editor, Ed Thompson, the story would be "killed" in respect for the family's wishes—prompted by a request from Einstein’s son.
  • “Bueno, pues no la vamos a publicar, vamos a matar la historia.” (Nieves, 04:22)
• Word Held for 55 Years: The images and the story were kept secret until 2010, when the family saw no further need for discretion.
  • “...la revista ha respetado hasta abril de 2010, porque ya no hacía falta mantener escondida la exclusiva.” (Nieves, 03:32)

3. The Chase for the Exclusive – How Morse Did It

• Morse bypassed crowds and beat other journalists by using bottles of whiskey to gain access to Einstein’s uncluttered desk, the hospital, and the crematorium.
  • “...le soltó una botella de whisky al portero para que le abriera la puerta ... lo cogió aquel 18 de abril de 1955.” (Nieves, 06:01)
• He was the only one to photograph Einstein’s actual funeral rites—documenting the small, private group, and even Einstein’s last desk setup.
  • “Cuando la funeraria ve que no hay prensa y hace las fotos del féretro. Se percata de que el único tiene la foto del féretro es él…” (Nieves, 08:19)
• The speed was due to Einstein's aversion to funerary rituals and the family's dutiful execution of his wishes.
  • “...todo se hizo en horas para cumplir estrictamente con los deseos de Einstein.” (Nieves, 07:24)

4. Editorial Ethics – Why the Exclusive Was Hidden

• Contacted by Einstein’s Son: Hans Einstein spotted Morse at the crematorium, later contacting the Life editor to request media silence, which Ed Thompson honored.
  • “Hans Hainstein llamó al editor jefe y le pidió que...respetara la decisión del físico de que su muerte no tuviera repercusión alguna.” (Nieves, 10:56)
• Morse’s Feelings: Although publicly Morse claimed to have accepted the decision professionally (“pensé que las fotografías nunca verían la luz del día”), Nieves suspects he was secretly furious at the loss of such a unique scoop.
  • “A ver, yo creo que el cabreo debió ser monumental. Que discutieron, que lo defendió, que dijo. No, yo creo que no fue tan pacífico como contó.” (Nieves, 12:14)

5. The Legacy of the Photos

• The Life photos were finally published in 2010, long after key family members’ deaths—showing, notably, the chaotic genius of Einstein’s work desk.
  • “...ver la mesa de trabajo de Einstein tal y como la dejó, confirma la teoría del científico loco. Vaya caos de papeles y de notas...” (Nieves, 13:23)

6. The Episode’s Reflection: Professional Integrity and Einstein’s Wit

• Nieves closes admiring both Morse’s & Thompson’s professional conduct—integrity in a field known for chasing headlines.
  • “Es tan agradable conocer a profesionales íntegros entre tanto burdo.” (Nieves, 13:50)
• Memorable Quote: She signs off with a quote attributed to Einstein, drawing a witty parallel between ignorance of one’s own death and stupidity:
  • “Cuando te mueres no sabes que estás muerto, no sufres por ello, pero es duro para el resto. Lo mismo pasa cuando eres imbécil.” (Nieves, 14:15)
  • Commented upon by the co-host, “Te diré una cosa, si solo la mitad de las frases que se le atribuyen a Einstein las dijo de verdad, creo que ha pasado más tiempo hablando que haciendo números. Pero bueno, está buenísima.” (B, 14:28)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Nieves Concostrina (01:48):

  "Olvidaos de fetichismos conmigo debió decir, quedaos con mis ecuaciones, mis teorías, a ver si las entendéis y dejadme en paz."

• Nieves Concostrina (02:18):

  "Por eso ahora el cerebro está más loncheado que un salchichón de guijuelo."

• Editor Ed Thompson (04:22 / via Nieves):

  "Bueno, pues no la vamos a publicar, vamos a matar la historia."

• Nieves Concostrina (13:23):

  "Ver la mesa de trabajo de Einstein tal y como la dejó, confirma la teoría del científico loco. Vaya caos de papeles y de notas..."

• Albert Einstein (attrib.) (14:15 via Nieves):

  "Cuando te mueres no sabes que estás muerto, no sufres por ello, pero es duro para el resto. Lo mismo pasa cuando eres imbécil."

• Co-host (14:28):

  “Si solo la mitad de las frases que se le atribuyen a Einstein las dijo de verdad, creo que ha pasado más tiempo hablando que haciendo números.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:55] – Introduction to Einstein’s death and the mystery around his last wishes
• [02:18] – The story of the doctors who took Einstein’s brain and eyes
• [03:19] – Introduction of Ralph Morse and the Life magazine scoop
• [06:00] – Morse’s resourceful use of whiskey to get exclusive access
• [07:20] – Why Einstein’s funeral arrangements were so secretive and swift
• [10:35] – How the Life exclusive was suppressed due to a request from Einstein’s son
• [11:54] – Morse’s reaction to losing his scoop, and Nieves’s interpretation
• [13:23] – The 2010 release of previously unpublished Einstein funeral photos
• [14:15] – Closing quote attributed to Einstein
• [14:28] – Co-host reflects on the prolific wit attributed to Einstein

Tone and Style

Nieves Concostrina delivers the historical narrative with her signature mix of sharp humor, skepticism, and candid appraisal of both the great and the ordinary. The tone is conversational, lively, and peppered with colloquial, slightly irreverent observations (especially regarding professional ethics), which adds flavor and depth to the storytelling.

Summary

This episode offers a dual lens: a touching look at Einstein's desire to avoid posthumous idolatry and a celebration of rare journalistic integrity. Through a brisk, engaging narrative, Nieves Concostrina walks listeners through the little-known but extraordinary restraint shown by journalists who, for once, placed principle above headlines. The story, witty commentary, and select quotes together craft an episode both enlightening for history enthusiasts and inspiring for anyone who values ethical conduct—closing, aptly, with Einsteinian humor befitting the theme.