Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina – “Cualquier tiempo pasado fue anterior: Épica y lírica de la conquista de los polos”

Date: May 29, 2022
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Contributors: Ana Baltierra (art historian), Jesús Pozo (journalist), Joaquín Araújo (naturalist), Emma Vallespinós (contributor)
Podcast: Cadena SER

Overview of the Episode

This episode of Todo Concostrina casts a sharp, witty, and often irreverent light on the human obsession with “conquering” the poles – both North and South. Nieves Concostrina and her guests delve into the historic polar expeditions, the romanticization of epic failures, rivalries among legendary explorers, the artistic imagination of the polar landscapes, and the urgent context of climate change. As always, Nieves flavors the retelling with specific anecdotes, critical insights, and the show’s signature humor.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Tragedy and Mythmaking of Scott’s Antarctic Expedition

[00:35–07:29]

• Scott’s Final Moments: Nieves recounts the tragic discovery in 1912 of Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his companions, dead from cold and exhaustion just 18 km from safety after the doomed race to the South Pole. The detailed description underscores the suffering and psychological consequences for those left behind.

  “El ruido de aquel chasquido al romperse el brazo se le clavó para siempre en el alma a Sherry, que vivió el resto de su vida amargado y preguntándose si no podría haberlo salvado.”
  (Nieves, 00:35)

• The Power of Narrative: She critiques the British media’s ability to turn Scott’s monumental failure into a national myth of heroism, largely overshadowing Roald Amundsen’s actual victory.

  “Consiguieron vendernos como triunfador al perdedor. Reino Unido organizó tal campaña heroica a Scott que casi consiguió eclipsar el logro del noruego Amundsen, el verdadero héroe de la Antártida.”
  (Nieves, 05:30)

• Why Bother With the Poles?

  • Nieves draws a parallel with Petrarch: you go because they’re there, symbolizing the irrational but powerful drive for exploration.

2. Distinguishing the Poles: Geographical, Magnetic, and Ceremonial

[07:29–09:00]

• Explains differences between the geographic, magnetic, and ceremonial South Poles, noting the eccentric location—and mobility—of the magnetic pole.

  “El polo sur magnético se mueve más que el precio del kilovatio. El tío es errante.”
  (Nieves, 06:25)

3. Heroism, Rivalry, and Survival: Shackleton vs. Scott vs. Amundsen

[09:00–17:34]

• Shackleton’s Endurance: Despite not reaching the South Pole, Shackleton’s 1915 expedition is remembered for the survival of all 28 men—a feat attributed as much to publicity and storytelling as to the actual accomplishment.

  “Fue como ir de Madrid a Valencia y no pasar de Cuenca. Pero como no murió ni uno... ya cuenta como triunfo.”
  (Nieves, 09:50)

• Expedition Recruitment Methods: The famous ad seeking men for hazardous journey highlights the era's spirit.

  “Se necesitan hombres para viaje peligroso, salarios bajos, frío extremo… retorno ileso dudoso, honores y reconocimiento en caso de éxito.”
  (Nieves, 10:12)

• Amundsen’s Success through Preparation: Nieves emphasizes Amundsen’s pragmatic approach: dogs over ponies, careful planning, and discipline.

  “El noruego Amundsen, sin embargo, sólo llevó perros, y si alguno se les moría, se lo zampaban. Hasta eso tenía prevista la expedición noruega.”
  (Nieves, 14:45)

• The British (Scott’s) Patriotic Complex: Glory was pursued as a national imperative, overshadowing practicalities.

• Iconic Quotes:

  “Lo peor ha sucedido. Dios mío, este lugar es horrible. No siento las piernas.”
  (Scott, diary, quoted by Nieves, 15:40)

  “Mis sinceros deseos de un feliz retorno.”
  (Nota de Amundsen a Scott, 16:03)

• Lyrical epitaph: The poetic lines inscribed for the fallen.

  “Luchar, buscar, encontrar y no rendirse jamás.”
  (Tennyson, quoted as epitaph, 16:16)

4. Antarctic Treaty and Global Stewardship

[19:59–22:47]

• Origins and Significance:

  • Enshrined in 1959, the Antarctic Treaty rendered the continent a shared scientific reserve, free of military presence and territorial grabs.

  “La Antártida… es probablemente el único lugar del mundo donde nunca ha habido una guerra. [...] Ese pastel sería de todos y de nadie.”
  (Nieves, 20:17)

• Climate Change Warnings:

  • Nieves criticizes denialist politicians and reiterates science’s warnings about the region’s vulnerability and its pivotal role in forecasting humanity's future:

  “En cuanto la Antártida se muera, vamos todos detrás porque allí está escrito el futuro del planeta.”
  (Nieves, 21:59)

5. Art and the Polar Sublime: Romanticism and Reality

[22:47–33:38]

• Romantic Painters and Arctic Imagination:

  • Ana Baltierra recounts how 19th-century Romantic painters depicted the poles as sublime and terrifying, drawing inspiration from second-hand stories.

  “Esos paisajes helados característicos del Polo Norte les parecían sublimes porque les producían asombro y muchísimo miedo a la vez.”
  (Ana Baltierra, 22:52)

• Caspar David Friedrich’s “El mar de hielo” (1824):

  • Based on imagination and local German ice, his painting symbolized the crushing power of nature and the insignificance of people, influenced by his personal trauma (his brother’s death saving him from ice).

  “Friedrich vio siendo niño como su hermano mayor moría ahogado en el hielo intentando salvarle.”
  (Ana Baltierra, 26:44)

  • Friedrich’s lasting depression and themes of nature’s overwhelming power are evident in his works.

• Other Painters & Vegetarianism:

  • Artists like Edwin Landseer depicted scenes of polar tragedy (e.g., “El hombre propone y Dios dispone”). British romantics’ advocacy for animal rights and vegetarianism is discussed—sparking playful banter between Ana and Nieves.

  “A ti te encantan los animales y la naturaleza, pero vegetariana. Vegetariana también sé que no. Más bien no, soy omnívora.”
  (Ana y Nieves, 32:13)

6. Human Impact and Environmental Urgency: Perspective from Naturalists

[34:42–44:32]

• The Science of the Poles:

  • Joaquín Araújo explains why the poles are vital for climate stability and global water cycles.

  “La inmensa mayor parte del agua dulce del planeta… no interviene modificando las condiciones básicas de las aguas de los océanos.”
  (Araújo, 34:50)

• Reflectivity and Warming:

  • Diminishing polar ice exacerbates warming due to decreased reflectivity (albedo effect).

  “Cuanta menos superficie blanca haya sobre la piel del mundo, el proceso de calentamiento se retroalimentará…”
  (Araújo, 35:50)

• Striking Data & Warnings:

  • Dramatically heightened temperatures in Antarctica and Siberia signal rapid change.

  “La Antártida estaba 40 grados de temperatura por encima de lo que sería normal.”
  (Araújo, 37:15)

  • Complete melting of the poles could raise sea levels by 30 meters, submerging major world cities.

  “Esto liquida una parte importantísima de los elementos humanos situados en las costas.”
  (Araújo, 38:39)

• Climate Denial and Necessary Action:

  • Urges systemic change and the importance of every individual action, debunking the myth that “your contribution is insignificant.”

  “No creamos a esos mangantes que dicen que tu contribución es insignificante.”
  (Araújo, 43:10)

• Manifiesto Final:

  “El clima es la vida de la vida.”
  (Araújo, 44:32)

7. The Epic and the Deceit: Conquering the North Pole

[45:01–52:36]

• Polar North’s Elusive Heroics:

  • Nieves highlights the North Pole’s greater challenge—ice cap instability and contentious claims.

  • US explorers Peary and Cook are deemed “fulleros” (cheats), with the real “walker to the pole” being Brit Wally Herbert in 1969.

  “Lo hizo en solitario, entrando por un punto, avanzando casi en línea recta, para salir por otro justo enfrente...”
  (Nieves, 46:10)

• Difficulty of True Conquest:

  • The North Pole’s shifting ice means flags and claims are literally adrift.

• Amundsen’s End:

  • Even the greatest, like Amundsen, met their end in the polar north—the ultimate risk of relentless exploration.

8. Music and Reflection

[52:36–end]

• Emma Vallespinós closes with a song by Amaral, “En el río,” evoking environmental nostalgia and loss.

  “De su cauce ha quedado solo un hilo y ese hilo grita asesinos.”
  (Emma quoting lyrics, 52:54)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Nieves on British myth-making:

  “Consiguieron vendernos como triunfador al perdedor.” [05:30]

• On why explorers risked all:

  “¿A qué vas? Pues porque la montaña está ahí.” [06:22]

• Amundsen’s note to Scott:

  “Le ruego acepte mis sinceros deseos de un feliz retorno.” [16:03]

• Araújo on climate:

  “El clima es la vida de la vida.” [44:32]

• Sarcastic climate denier call-out:

  “No creamos a esos mangantes que dicen que tu contribución es insignificante.” [43:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:35] – Graphic retelling of Scott’s doomed Antarctic expedition
• [09:00] – Shackleton’s Endurance adventure and mythos
• [14:45] – Differences in expedition strategies (Scott vs. Amundsen)
• [16:16] – Iconic diary entries and epitaphs
• [19:59] – Antarctic Treaty and warnings on climate
• [22:47] – Ana Baltierra on art, Romanticism, and polar imagination
• [34:42] – Science segment: Joaquín Araújo on poles, climate, and human impact
• [45:01] – The conquest and myths of the North Pole
• [52:36] – Closing reflection through Amaral’s song

Tone and Style

Witty, sarcastic, and sharply critical, Nieves Concostrina’s delivery teases out the human folly behind “epic” failures turned into national myths, ridicules denialist politicians, and playfully debates eating habits in the context of arctic survival—all while manifesting enormous respect for scientific rigor and artistic expression.

Conclusion

This episode elegantly merges history, science, art, debate, and activism. It demystifies heroism and myth, situates the polar epic in both physical and imaginary landscapes, and issues an urgent collective call to action, all underpinned by humor and lively debate. For listeners who haven’t tuned in, it’s a journey from the frozen ends of the Earth to the heart of our most pressing environmental dilemmas.