The Fool On The Hill

THE FOOL
ON THE HILL
JUAN MANUEL OCHOA TORRES
SOCIEDAD MEXICANA DE GEOGRAFA Y ESTADSTICA, A. C.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JUAN MANUEL OCHOA TORRES is a member
of the SOCIEDAD MEXICANA DE GEOGRA-
FA Y ESTADSTICA, A.C. (Mexican Society of
Geography and Statistics), which is the oldest
scientifc and cultural society in America, having
been founded in 1833 by the then President of
Mexico, Valentn Gmez Faras.
The author forms part of the National Academic
Council of said institution, acting as Chairman
of one of its Academies and has written a large
number of books on social, economic, civic, eco-
logical, demographic and historical issues, and
a variety of analyses, some of which have been
translated into English.
www.juanmanuelochoat.blogspot.mx/
THE FOOL ON
THE HILL
JUAN MANUEL OCHOA TORRES
Original title in Spanish: El tonto de la colina
FIRST EDITION: JANUARY 2014
ISBN: 978-607-7944-11-9
Registration number: 03-2014-050913210400-01
Copyright Juan Manuel Ochoa Torres
To correspond with the author:
Juan Manuel Ochoa Torres: mailjmot@gmail.com
www.juanmanuelochoat.blogspot.mx/
Justo Sierra 19 Centro Histrico
Telephone: +52 (55) 5542 73 41/ 5522 2055
ismge@prodigy.net.mx
http://smge-mexico.blogspot.com
Mxico 06020,
D.F. MEXICO
Typography and book binding:
Luis Tovar Carrillo
tecnografca64@gmail.com
Cover: Ana Sofa Ochoa Ricoux
and Luis Tovar Carrillo
Translated to English by:
TLS Bureau and Marie-France Fortoul
marifrance60@hotmail.com
The total or partial reproduction of this book is
prohibited without the autorization of the autors
CONTENTS
Page
CHAPTER I.......................................................................... 5
CROSSROADS
A STRANGER ENTERS THE SCENE ......................................... 8
CHAPTER II ......................................................................... 13
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
EL ENCINAL ................................................................. 16
CHAPTER III ........................................................................ 21
MEETING
CHAPTER IV ....................................................................... 35
A DIFFERENT DIALOG
CHAPTER V ....................................................................... 51
OPPOSITE POINT OF VIEW?
CHAPTER VI ....................................................................... 69
EXPANDING THE DIALOG
CHAPTER VII ..................................................................... 87
ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
CHAPTER VIII ..................................................................... 105
A CONTROVERSIAL RETURN
CHAPTER IX ....................................................................... 131
THE DIFFERENCES INCREASE
CHAPTER X ........................................................................ 163
NIGHT FOLLOWS DAY
4
THE FOOL ON THE HILL JUAN MANUEL OCHOA TORRES
5
CHAPTER I
CROSSROADS
We rarely reect on the fact that each person carries an
entire history of experiences, aspirations, errors, concerns
and dreams.
To give an example: in a big city on any morning, we do
not stop to think that the lady walking briskly to work
is completely immersed in a great number of work and
personal matters she must attend to throughout the day.
Nor are we really concerned about the man nervously
checking his watch every few minutes, as if afraid that
time is going to play a dirty trick on him.
Anyone who believes that this human introspection only
affects people living in big cities is mistaken because,
whether they live in big or small cities, urban or rural
areas, or big or small houses, an intricate series of ele-
ments will be activated inside each person that will form
his own particular thinking.
To corroborate this phenomenon, let us use the magic
power deliberately installed in our own mindsbetter
known as our imaginationto transport ourselves in
a ash, rst to a small town in the state of Michoacn,
Mexico, where on any morning, one block from the main
square with its hustle and bustle, we will discover how
this underworld that lies inside each man or woman
comes together.
While Don Joss kind words mask his great concern
for selling all his tamales and atole, one of Doa Marias
aims is to get rid of the fruit she has on show because
6
she knows very well that if she does not accomplish her
goal, a lot of the fruit will ripen very quickly making it
less attractive to buyers.
Doa Margarita, meanwhile, calculates with the precision
of an efcient accountant how to optimize her budget in
order to be able to provide for her entire family with as
little money as possible.
Notary Public Don Fidel walks briskly to his ofce, think-
ing about a solution for the public deed several people
will sign a few minutes later, and something similar is
happening to Luis Fernando.
But all these issues occupying the thoughts of the inhabit-
ants of this beautiful Michoacn town pale in compari-
son with the anguish a lady called Doa Soledad, better
known as Doa Chole, believes she is experiencing.
Everyone is internally juggling their aspirations, ques-
tions and assumed goals, but no one comes close to the
aficted spirit of this restless lady.
And just as nature sometimes capriciously combines dark
colors with bright ones, or birdsong with the sound of
gently falling water, Doa Choles house is also home to
strange contrasting combinations: her sister Natalia had
recently been widowed and gone to live with her.
Doa Chole is a volcano about to erupt, while Natalia
is a placid lake indulgently and tolerantly watching the
birds pass and clouds slowly traveling in the sky.
The scene played out at this house day after day is seen
only by silent witnesses: some old furniture, a large
quarry stone fountain surrounded by all manner of pot-
ted plants and a ray of sun that shyly, as if asking for
permission, begins to enter the courtyard. The only ones
7
that dare break the silence are a large number of birds in
a great many cages hanging on the walls of this peculiar
residence.
While Doa Chole runs from one side to another, arrang-
ing things she just has brought from the market, these
witnesses watch Doa Natalia silently rearranging certain
things, getting ready for breakfast which they are about
to have.
And so as birds can sense the coming of a storm, Natalia
has a presentiment that, because her sister Chole is rush-
ing around, her restless mind is becoming overwhelmed
with a great many mixed thoughts that she is about to
externalize.
And while Natalia seems distant, she is well aware of the
main reason for her sisters concern: her son lvaro. She
knows that, despite her requests, lvaro has not wanted
to leave a very special job he has near Tingindn, with
a certain Don Alonso.
It really is beyond me, Doa Chole says, how Alvarito
still wants to stay there with that crazy old man, when
he has been offered a big job in Morelia Sometimes I
think that lvaro has also gone mad like that poor man
he works with.
Anyone else would be extremely alarmed by such state-
ments, but Natalia had known her sister all her life and
impassively keeps quiet as she enjoys her breakfast.
Some years ago, she continues, because I believed my
friends and you, I thought lvaro would be over that
nonsense in a few months, but now its even worse. It
seems that old man has even more inuence over him
What nerve!
8
But, Chole, Natalia claims. lvaro is very happy in
that job. He even brought his girlfriend Esther to meet
us, and theyre planning on getting married.
Thats exactly what worries me even more! Chole re-
plies. Now that he met that gullible girl in Zamora, who
even agreed to go hide away at that ranch too, hell want
to come here even less He even says that crazy old man
will give them a house there!
Have you tried the roasted sweet potato and the squash?
Theyre really good
Dont change the subject! Doa Chole says, practically
screaming. What interests me is lvaro, not the stupid
breakfast
We shouldnt worry for no reason, Chole. I remember
my deceased husband said that some decades ago, all the
professionals went to the capital and big cities to work,
but now that trend seemed to have reversed and here are
opportunities in medium-sized and small cities.
Exactly! Medium-sized and small cities, but I dont
think your husband ever thought lvaro would want to
hide away at a shabby ranch like that one! And dont
tell me to calm down because it makes me angry that
you dont think thats important!
A STRANGER ENTERS THE SCENE
We used to say that behind every person lies a story
and different motivations. Perhaps we fall short of the
mark if we do not add one more element. Fate also likes
interspersing a lot of different elements and patiently
observing the result this produces.
9
And the truth is that Doa Chole never imagined that
this sometimes ckle, disconcerting hand of fate was
spinning an invisible web around them. And fate would
make use of its own personal ambitions to bring them
into that web.
So, at that exact moment, Gustavo Mora, special com-
missioner from an important forestry ministry is driving
in the vicinity accompanied by the agronomical engineer
Miguel Snchez, who had been his friend since they were
young men.
Both are in the back seat of a large minivan and, judging
by the number of incoming and outgoing calls, they seem
to be in a mobile ofce rather than a vehicle.
Once his last call is over, Gustavo says with a sonorous
voice, An opposition party will soon submit a new for-
estry project to Congress and the Minister has charged
me with analyzing the topic. So I wanted to talk with you,
Miguel, so you can tell me about your experiences be-
cause our party needs to be ready to discuss the matter.
The truth is, he continues, something effective urgently
needs to be done in forestry. Weve been losing forests
at a terrifying rate: 990,000 acres a year, according to
some sources, and others say the gure is even higher
Imagine! Were talking about over 2,470 acres a day
Well, yes, the engineer replies. Thats true, but that
will make society capable of rising to the challenge of
solving the problem, wont it?
Thats what should happen, my esteemed Miguel, but
because of the way politics is done in our country, the
Government mustnt cause problems, but rather suggest
solutions and, furthermore, solutions that dont seem dif-
10
cult, because if it doesnt do this it wont win elections
or popular support
Gustavo continues, as his friend Miguel looks expectantly
at him, What percentage of votes do you think we would
have won in the last election if we had raised the real
problems we are facing? You saw how we did. We won
by a few points because some of the opposition basically
only offered dreams and dazzled many voters.
I think, the engineer says, that it is perfectly possible
to make objective proposals to citizens on the issues
concerning them. If we treat society like a child, it will
react like one.
Many people will, but most will take the easy way;
whichever party offers the most attractive things, which
is why Im telling you that this causes the same problem
for the country, which is in fact exactly what happened
to us a few decades ago.
So, youre saying that we have to present an unreal
optimistic situation to win an election in order to win
popular support. Is that right?
What Im saying is that in political matters things must
be presented in such a way that they dont sound like
they need a lot of effort because people wont vote for
that, and theyll go with what looks more appealing, even
if afterwards theyve been deceived. So things have to
be put to them in a certain way. Thats politics, and not
just in this country, but everywhere.
I rather think that thats bad use of politics. Remember
what Simn Bolvar said and our history teacher repeated
to us many times, Rectitude is the best politics. Things
need to be said as they are. But we have to know how
11
to say and implement them, and I guarantee that people
will respond.
In the face of these resolute objections expressed by his
friend Miguel, Gustavo gets the feeling that theyre not
going to get anywhere with that discussion so, using his
vast experience, he very subtly changes tack.
Thats exactly what we now want, to ground the solu-
tions. And thats where youre going to help me. And as
far as politics is concerned, believe me, well try to do
things right.
Okay, Gustavo. Im very happy to talk to you about my
experiences in forestry and you can then make the sug-
gestions you wish, dont you worry. But before we start,
let me tell you that when you called me and told me
you were coming, I brought you out this way because I
want us to talk with a person who is out here and has a
ranch that he operates pretty well. But we have to see if
he wants to talk to us because hes a pretty strange guy,
I mean, he doesnt really like talking to people.
Good grief! And wheres this guy from? He sounds a
bit weird if he doesnt even like expressing his ideas,
doesnt he?
Look, dont get me wrong. Hes just an odd guy, but dont
think he lacks focus. He used to be a Notary Public. Hes
very educated and lived in Mexico City for many years.
The thing is that now that hes older, he came here and
has a ranch that he operates well and I think if we man-
age to talk with him, he could give us some ideas on what
youre looking for. The thing is we need him to receive us.
Well, if you think it would be interesting, lets do it
but, how do you plan to get him to talk to us?
12
I used to like going to his ranch to talk with him until
one day he just refused to see me. Its like hes in a dif-
ferent world but dont get the wrong idea. He appears
a little strange, but hes not that lost. Hes right about a
lot of things
I get the feeling, Gustavo claims, that well just be
wasting our time
I know what Im talking about. Youll think a lot of the
ideas are impractical, but in short, well take the good
things he tells us. Itll take a few hours.
Well, if you want to lets go then
Look, theres a young man who works with him called
lvaro and well be able to talk to Don Alonsothats
his namethrough him.
By the way, Miguel continues, were arriving at the
town where his mom lives. Shes a good friend of mine.
Lets see if by any chance lvaro has been here.
The engineer turns to Juan, the driver, and says, Before
you get to that bridge, turn left and go straight ahead up
to the square and then Ill tell you where Doa Choles
house is. I think shell be at home.
And by the way, Gustavo, the local bread is really tasty
if you want to buy some to take back to Mexico City. Its
baked in special ovens. You can enjoy it when you get
home. Would you like some?
13
CHAPTER II
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
When for any reason two water currents cross, we know
that one of the two will have more inuence on the other.
And curiously, we also know that it is not so much the
quickest and most sonorous ow that prevails, but rather
the current that appears tamer, by dint of possessing the
greater volume, that determines the way.
And at those meetings, where the sometimes incompre-
hensible hand of fate strangely accommodates certain
events for those days, the true internal force of each one
cannot be seen with the naked eye, given that, just as
rivers seen from the surface do not usually reveal their
true content, something similar happens in human inter-
action. It is not possible to evaluate the true potential of
someone until his thoughts are duly expressed.
Nevertheless, when it is not possible to conduct a better
analysis, something is better than nothing, or at least for
the time being. Let us analyze, then, the events that have
started to take place in that beautiful Michoacn town.
And so we shall see that Doa Chole and her sister, Nata-
lia, with absolutely no idea of most of the events that were
interwoven into their surroundings, continue conversing
while they nish their breakfast. For their part, Gustavo
and Miguel, once they have made some purchases, are
about to knock on the door of an old house located almost
one block from the main square.
Once she hears the knock at the door, Doa Chole, before
opening, discreetly looks through the aperture of her liv-
14
ing room window and thinks she recognizes Miguel and
so heads quickly to open the door.
Welcome, Don Miguel! To what do I owe the honor of
a visit from you? Youre just in time for breakfast. Come
in and make yourselves at home
Doa Chole, Miguel says, giving her a hug. Let me
introduce you to Mr. Mora
With typical Mexican provincial hospitality and in order
to be able to talk more while she offers them something,
Doa Chole warmly leads them to the dining room
table while Natalia, after the customary introductions,
discreetly becomes the hostess so that her sister has the
chance to talk properly with her unexpected visitors.
Im so happy to have you visiting us. Youre welcome,
any time! Doa Chole says as she passes them generous
portions of local dishes she luckily already had available
Thank you, Doa Chole. Ill just take two round tamales
with a little beans because we already ate something, but I
truly cant resist these. Try them, Gustavo! Theyre a kind
of local tamale I dont know if you ate them when we
were at high school in Zamora, but if you dont like them,
try these uchepo tamales, theyre made with corn
While Gustavo momentarily goes out to the courtyard to
take a call, Doa Chole says to Miguel, You hardly ever
come here anymore, Mr. Snchez! Are you supervising
some ranch? What brings you out here?
Actually Mr. Mora, whom I have known since we were
at senior high in Zamora, now has a very important job
in Mexico City and wants to know more about forestry
15
projects. We want to visit Don Alonsos El Encinal, and
I thought that your son lvaro might be here.
If only he were! The thing is that devil of a boy is com-
pletely absorbed in that dirty ranch working with that
crazy old man, and he hardly ever comes to see me
Natalia, as she puts some things to the table, is careful to
keep quiet, even though she does not share her sisters
view
To be frank, Doa Chole continues, I dont think that
job is at all right for Alvarito. He could end up crazy like
that guy. And he hardly leaves the place.
Once he nishes his call, Gustavo sits down and keeps
discreetly quiet though, from what Seora Chole is say-
ing, he is increasingly convinced that there is no point
visiting that ranch, where that seemingly odd man lives.
Nonetheless, the condence he has in his friend Miguel
makes him persist with the visit they had planned.
Well, were going to Tingindn right now, the engineer
says. If you like, Ill say something to lvaro because
we want to talk a little with Don Alonso. Lets see if he
wants to
What have I got to say to him? You know how things
are there He might not even see you
Gustavo, without letting it show, is increasingly intrigued.
What kind of guy is this oddball? But in any case, he goes
along with it thinking itll make a good story; something
out of the ordinary. He also thinks it wont take long and
he can keep up to date with work on his phone, as if he
were at his ofce
16
Meanwhile Miguel, oblivious to the detachment and
growing skepticism of his friend Gustavo, continues talk-
ing to Doa Chole.
Well, yes, the worst that can happen is that he wont see
us but hopefully lvaro will help us
Well, yes, thats right. Im sure lvaro will help you and
by the way, please take him a few things he left here last
time he came, would you
How do you nd the food and the town, Mr. Mora?
Oh, its all very good, Seora! But, what I like most is
the people. Theyre very kind Its true that there have
been some problems in the region, but I trust they are
temporary
And so they spend a while longer talking and, as she es-
corts them to the door, Doa Chole discreetly holds Miguel
back and says to him, Lets see if you might be able to
convince lvaro that hes just wasting his time there, eh?
Just imagine! All those studies just to go hide away on a
shabby ranch with a crazy old man like that guy
The engineer, struck by such an odd request, can only
nod while everyone says a friendly goodbye.
EL ENCINAL
Within a few minutes they are already traveling in the
minivan to Tingindn. The engineer explains to Juan,
the driver, that they are going to go through Zamora and
then head south.
Gustavo says to him, I dont even remember anymore.
How far is Tingindn from Zamora?
17
About 25 minutes. Dont you know this area?
No, remember, there was no paved road in this area
when we were in senior high.
Youre right! And now I think about it, the engineer
says, the lack of a paved highway until relatively recently
meant that the locals preserved their old fashioned cus-
toms and traditions, didnt they?
When they pass by Zamora to the side of the southbound
ring road, Miguel, extremely shocked says.

Just look how far the urban sprawl has spread! Do you
remember when we were in senior high? All this was
farmland
So, tell me. How many acres does the valley have?
I dont know exactly. I think around 42,000
Well, a very signicant part of the valley has already
been invaded by houses and that has reduced farming
potential in an unbelievable way
Well, the same is happening throughout the country
isnt it?
Thats true, but the fact that it is happening everywhere
is no comfort to me, quite the opposite
Nevertheless, as they get closer to Tingindn, the vegeta-
tion begins to change and the density of the surrounding
trees becomes increasingly concentrated. Not used to be-
ing in this area, Gustavo starts to enjoy the landscape
By the way, Miguel, Gustavo says, when I told Alejan-
dra my wife a while ago that we were going to Tingindn,
18
she thought I was joking. Can you believe she hadnt
heard of it Do you, by any chance, know where the
name comes from?
Well, its a Pre-hispanic town and I dont blame Alejan-
dra for not having heard of it. We have because were
used to
A few seconds pass and Gustavo adds, By the way,
Miguel, Im thinking that all the Purpecha names have
a special meaning according to the features of the place.
Like that lake called Camcuaro we used to go to when
we were in senior high, or that waterfall called Tzarracua
near Uruapan. Just out of curiosity, do you know what
Tingindn means?
I think so. Some time ago, when I was looking at its
coat of arms, I saw it had some bells. I thought that it
meant place of bells, but then I read that the name is
a Spanishization of the Purpecha term Tzingitzuri,
which means place of adoration.
Good grief! Just look where youre taking me!
I confess, Miguel, that after listening to Doa Chole and
everything she was saying about that man, I didnt even
want to come
Well, Miguel says, the thing is that Doa Chole is not
very fond of Don Alonso, though dont expect something
from another world either. The question is will he want
to talk to us But let me describe this man to you
I get the impression, Miguel continues, that he has
some ideas that dont sit very well with some people and
thats why he decided to move out here. Hes how can
I put it? Lets just say hes very idealistic. I dont know
19
how much, but sometimes I think that hes the one whos
right and its the rest of us who should share his vision.
I admit, I dont know.
So, Gustavo begins to interrupt, do you think?
If I may lets see what he says and from there well,
or youll, take whatever you think is useful. How does
that sound?
He stares at Gustavo in surprise as he replies, Lets go,
then. You know what, now Im even curious
Were almost there Juan, the engineer says to the driver.
As soon as we pass that hill on the left, take the rst road
you see, but slowly because its a dirt road.
As soon as they are on the dirt road, completely sur-
rounded by trees, Gustavo is surprised to be in such a
location when barely two days ago he was in the capital
city in a completely different world. His mood seems to
start changing and it occurs to him to tell Miguel a joke,
like they used to during those far-off years of senior high.
I wonder if well be looking for the Fool on the Hill,
like that song back in senior high
But Miguel doesnt think the joke is funny at all and
doesnt even dignify it with a response, to which Gustavo
adds, Im kidding, man. Lets go see your friend
20
21
CHAPTER III
THE MEETING
Despite being on a road surrounded by trees, a few dark
clouds can be seen on the eastern horizon, and the locals
already know that when this happens it is an almost
unequivocal sign that it will soon rain.
But as the saying goes, ignorance is bliss, and once they
arrive at the gate of the ranch with a big sign saying El
Encinal, Gustavo quickly gets out of the truck to take a
look, followed by the engineer.
Gustavo had heard so much about this unique man, that,
despite his vast experience in different elds, he was
quite curious to meet him. And he somehow feels that
he will receive them.
Nevertheless, both unexpected visitors seem to ignore the
imminent nature of the rain that seems to want to beat
them to it, albeit in a very discreet almost polite manner.
They, too, are absorbed in some ideas and concepts they
perhaps are not expecting.
But, just as nature is not used to taking the trouble to give
notice to those unprepared for its plans, on occasion even
abruptly expressing itself, nor is the, at times, incompre-
hensible transformation of daily events announced, but
rather simply placed on the table.
And that slow imperceptible sliding of the clouds from
the east, as well as highlighting the diversity of the silent
forces operating around us, seems an invisible prelude
to something they are not expecting.
22
Meanwhile, as palpable proof that when faced with the
same scene there are always many perspectives, Gustavo
and his companion, the engineer, feel like they have been
transported to a parallel universe, where the incompa-
rable green landscape is interspersed with the almost
imperceptible sound of the leaves on the trees blowing
in the light breeze, and everything is magically shrouded
in an incredibly pure aroma of grass.
This meant that after chatting on the way, unable to
agree, they were now silent, allowing nature itself its
turn to express itself, even though it did so in its own
peculiar way.
But suddenly the engineer is brought back to reality
because he knows very well that their visit has a certain
purpose. He starts to wonder more about how to go about
it because the particular conditions of the place do not
lend themselves to simply opening the door and entering
without notice.
Nevertheless, fate often surprises us by facilitating things.
Joaqun, a worker who is carefully clearing weeds from
some avocado trees, is a mere 330 feet away, and once
he approaches, surprised by the large minivan, he im-
mediately recognizes the agronomist.
Mr. Snchez! Its Joaqun! Do you remember? What are
you doing here? Would you like to come in?
In truth Miguel does not remember the name of this
worker, but Joaqun knows Miguels since he had helped
him prepare some nurseries and do some transplanting
at that very ranch for Don Alonso
Hi, Joaqun! How are you?
23
Joaqun suddenly remembers the instructions his brother
Benjamn, who is the ranch manager, had given him: ab-
solutely no one is allowed to enter because Don Alonso
does not like it
But, Joaqun thinks, the engineer is not a stranger, but
rather someone who often helps us with things Never-
theless, just to make sure, he calls his brother Benjamn
on the radio to let him know and carefully passes the
handset to the engineer, who greets him very warmly.
Hey, Benji, how are you? Is lvaro with you? I need to
talk to him because I want to speak with Don Alonso
about something
Goodness! Let me call him Look, let me call you back
in a moment
Only a few seconds have passed when the radio rings.
Hi, Mr. Snchez! What brings you here?
While Gustavo converses with Joaqun, Miguel moves a
few feet away to talk more privately with lvaro
Heres the thing. I need to talk with Don Alonso about
something. A man from Mexico City is with me, who
has a very important job and the government is looking
into reforestation. You know how crucial that is for the
country and he wants to talk about it since you both
might be able to contribute a few ideas on the subject. I
think, my esteemed lvaro, that this is really important
and worth discussing
lvaro thinks for a few seconds and knows that if the
engineer thinks this is important, it is because it is, and
says to him, You know how things are here, but from
24
what you tell me, let me try Normally hed say no, but
this topic is most interesting to Don Alonso Though,
who knows. Let me try Ill call you right back
Only a few minutes have passed when the engineers
radio rings again
Okay, hell see you. Ill come get you
In less time than expected, lvaro and these two visitors are
greeting each other, while Juan drives the minivan through
the gate, parking it under some trees in the entrance.
If you dont mind, lvaro says, well leave the minivan
here and walk because we have more time at the mo-
ment, since its not harvest time or anything and were
taking advantage of the lull to install more underground
water conduits. So, there are a few open trenches on the
way, okay? And thatll give Don Alonso time to get from
the other side
Sure! No problem
So, all three start walking along a path anked by long
rows of avocado trees, each of which has several drop-
pers constantly supplying them with water. When lvaro
sees the drips falling intermittently he calls Benjamn.
Hey, Benji, tell Amarildo to turn off the watering sys-
tem. I think its going to rain today. That way we wont
waste any water.
When Gustavo sees those small droppers and how impec-
cably organized they are, he immediately realizes that
he has never seen such a high level of technication for
this crop, not even at the ranches he has visited in the
United States.
25
What a well-organized ranch! Gustavo says. Michoa-
cn is quite rightly the top avocado producer in the
country and in the world
Its like everything, lvaro says. Its a question of
organization and work
Hey, lvaro, the engineer says. We went to say hello
to your mom and she sent you a few things. Ill give them
to you before we leave But I have to say that I get the
feeling shes not too happy with you working here, for
what its worth But you know whats best for you.
Thanks, Miguel. Dont worry, he says, not the least bit
annoyed. The thing is, my mom has always thought that
being on a ranch today is still like it was back in the day,
when being at a place like this was synonymous with a
kind of isolation. But now, see, with intercommunication,
we can turn that into a great advantage
Hows that?
I already explained it to my mom, but she doesnt really
understand the change that has taken place. She tells each
person she knows is coming out here to try to convince
me to leave. She even did the same with another visitor a
while ago, he adds. But really, dont worry. I dont take
it the wrong way. I know her intentions are good, but I
repeat, things are not as she imagines them. Actually, I
think its the other way round
Im glad you see it like that, lvaro
Of course, lvaro calmly says. Look, from a profes-
sional point of view, you cant even imagine what were
doing. We export wholesale packaged avocado with spe-
cic labeling and standards for each destination country
26
in order to optimize distribution and marketing chan-
nels and avoid unnecessary middle-men, both here and
abroad. And I leave the country several times a year to
get more clients.
In fact, I just got back from the Cologne Fair in Germany,
which is the most important food event in the world,
having secured some new clients.
Look, he continues excitedly. With support from a
number of sources, weve opened credit lines to our
customers abroad so they can buy more from us. Thats
why with a very low level of debt and a great deal of
effort, weve improved investment and quality to a level
you cant even imagine. And all that is very good for the
country because we bring in fresh money.
And that doesnt take into account, he adds, that were
projecting a good image abroad with a product, quality
and delivery that adhere to the most rigorous interna-
tional standards.
Gustavo is astonished by the level of organization he sees
around him, but what surprises him most is this young
professionals focus. So he is happy to just listen to him.
And culturally speaking, lvaro continues, things
are even better, since the advent of computers and the
Internet is turning these times into a kind of watershed,
which is much bigger than the invention of the printing
press, as Don Alonso says
Oh, is that what he says?
Yes, though he also says it will divide people into two
groups. While some will take advantage of this new
access to a sea of information to learn and develop to
27
unimagined levels. For others, on the other hand, it will
merely provide a good excuse to waste their time with
fun and nonsense.
And it will all depend, he says, on something very
simple
the availability of time, along with a personal choice
to use it well. I will say this to you, Mr. Mora, and I hope
I wont bore you, since you saw how scared my mom is
about my staying at this ranch.
Of course youre not boring me, Gustavo interjects.
Please continue
Very well! As I was saying, while some will get endless
books, information and very valuable things from the
Internet and will use these to develop in an extraordinary
way, others could be held back because theyll just waste
their time
To which the engineer says, And whats your own personal
experience? Do you have a computer and Internet here?
Of course! Not only do I communicate with customers
from all over the world, but I can access any book or
important document with a click of the mouse
And what most people dont have is time, but you know
what? lvaro says very convinced. That is what we
have most of here. So, if we combine this with the desire
to take advantage of it, were in a much better position
than those living in big cities.
Gustavo and the engineer exchange a lightning quick
look, both acknowledging that lvaro is right on this
score.
28
And do you read books here?
Of course! I read at least three a month. But Don Alonso
is way ahead of me; he reads four or ve well, depend-
ing on the size.
Good grief! Don Alonso still reads books? Miguel says
in amazement. I thought youd told me his eyesight
wasnt so great.
Yes, but now with the computer he doesnt even have
to read them. A friend of his in Tingindn, Luis Tovar,
installed a program that reads books out loud. Yes, he
can read, but its a little hard for him. But, he can read
so much by listening to them being read out loud.
Just to give you an idea, lvaro continues excitedly, a
book the size of the Jerusalem Bible, with 66 books and
just over 800,000 words can be read in 74 and a half
hours from beginning to end. I tell you this because I
just downloaded it the day before yesterday.
With that, Gustavo says, What do you mean the
Jerusalem Bible? Is there more than one bible, or what?
Its not that theres more than one, but even though its
the same one, they are primarily from two sources: one
from Jerusalem and the other from Alexandria. And dur-
ing the early years of Christian history, as the Alexandria
Bible was in Greek, it was easier to use that one because
the Jerusalem Bible was in Aramaic and Hebrew.
But, lvaro adds, the Alexandria Bible, since it came
from Greek-speaking Israelite groups scattered from be-
fore the time of Christ, that version, called the Septuagint,
had several additional books on History and Philosophy,
such as the Books of Tobias, Macabeos, Wisdom, Eccle-
29
siastes and others, but these were never considered by
rabbis as holy books. If you like, you can ask and see
And when lvaro sees their eyes widen in surprise, he
says in a calming tone, But dont worry, it doesnt mean
that there are two different Bibles. Its the same one.
Just that one, which came from Alexandria, has several
additional books, but they dont take anything away or
add anything new to the Christian content.
Ill just say that that text is what Catholics use, but the
true erudites, teachers and historians of the Hebrew
people were not in the so-called Alexandria Diaspora, but
in Jerusalem and were there until that city was destroyed
in 70 A.D.
Whats more, he continues, both the rabbis and Chris-
tian experts from all eras acknowledge what Im telling
you, as in the case of Jerome of Stridon, also known by
others as Saint Jerome, who even gave an important
warning in this respect in different prologues to one of
his works, the so-called Latin Vulgate, completed at the
end of the 5th century.
But, well, were digressing. What I wanted to consider by
way of an example is the extraordinary potential of read-
ing that any person has just by listening to books being
read via the Internet. And here the transcendental thing
is that this same individual potential can be reected at
a collective level because, as Don Alonso says, What is
any Nation, but a simple sum of all the individuals that
form it?
He cites the Bible as an example because it is a big book
and a book of that size can be easily listened to in 75
hours. Can you imagine the potential for growth that
one person has?
30
And while they are completely engrossed in that peculiar
conversation that arose from the questioning of lvaro,
Miguel is not so surprised by the talk and the wonder-
ful surroundings, given that he had already been there
many times.
But for Gustavo it is different. He feels he had opened
a door to a dimension he didnt even know existed and
this pleases him a great deal.
What happens next is the usual thing. When, for some
reason, we get distracted and forget that nature will con-
tinue silently doing its job, it often seems like it wants
to suddenly wake us up. Though the clouds that a short
while ago were in the east and were somehow far away
from the talk these three singular men are having, they
had quietly ended up above them.
And so rst a few drops start falling as a gentle breeze
blows and lvaro, who knows how things work in the
area, suggests taking shelter in a small straw house
nearby.
They have barely just taken shelter when strong rain
starts building up, and Gustavo says to the engineer, It
seems to rain more around here, doesnt it?
A little, but not that much. The average here is around
43 inches per year, though the traditional patterns of
precipitation have unfortunately changed in different
parts of the country, precisely due to deforestation. Thats
why when you called me about the governments interest
in forestry matters, I left all the jobs I had pending and
came as quickly as I could.
Thank you, Miguel, Gustavo says
31
Well, now that you mention it, lvaro interjects, there
are many people who assure us that we should not be
alarmed by these climate changes because they have al-
ready happened in other periods of history, but I think
theyre wrong because it could be a prelude to something
very serious
Why? Gustavo asks, pleasantly surprised at lvaros
interest and involvement in the matter
Because, among other errors, they dont inter-relate the
facts. For instance, it doesnt mean the same that these
changes took place 20,000 or 30,000 years ago when the
global population was around one million, and it could
probably get by on 800 to 1,000 tons of food a day, when
now we need over 6 million tons a day
And if the climate changes, Alvaro says, so do the har-
vests and most people cant imagine what this means
While the rain taps on the roof of the little house, Gustavo
realizes the discussion at this ranch is not to be taken
lightly and decides to call his secretary to ask her to hold
his calls for the rest of the day
lvaro, in turn, calls Benjamn to tell him theyll have
to wait a little, due to the rain, and asks him to inform
Don Alonso.
Dont worry! Benjamn replies. The same things hap-
pened to him. He had to wait on the other side for the
same reason. Youll just have to wait a little.
Gustavo, ever more interested in the talk, says to lvaro:
Have you been able to follow the behavior of harvests
or food production in the world through the Internet?
32
Of course! And you know what? One of the best indica-
tors, though not the only one, are price levels.
Why price levels? Because as you know, these are set
as a consequence primarily of the point of intersection
between the supply curve and the demand curve
Look, in the last 10 years, according to the United Na-
tions measuring system for food and agriculture, which
assesses the price of cereals, dairy, meat and other food-
stuffs, international prices have more than doubled
You well know, lvaro continues, like the good econo-
mist he is, that under normal conditions, when a price
rises or falls it is because the supply or demand curves,
or both, have changed. And that rise in international food
prices was caused by two combined factors: irregulari-
ties in the supply due to losses in harvests in several
parts of the world caused by climate change, and at the
same time a rise in demand, since in the last 10 years,
the global population has risen by 830 million Thats
a rise in one single decade equivalent to almost all the
inhabitants of an entire continent like America
Parallel to this conversation, as the rain becomes less
intense, nature, which is in some way protecting them
by way of an invisible and unrequested compensation,
considering the apparent problem of the rain and wishing
to apologize for the watering it feels obligated to do over
the entire countryside, gifts them an aroma of wet ground,
which makes them all forget this small inconvenience to
the extent that they are even enjoying their stay at this
improvised though much needed shelter.
Gustavo, for his part, without mentioning it, is ever more
surprised not only by the ranchs impeccable organiza-
tion and operation, but above all by the perspective and
33
analysis that lvaro has given them, which his work in
Mexico City had not enabled him to see so clearly. And
he thinks to himself that these guys arent so lost. No
wonder Miguel insisted so much on coming here
With that, lvaro discreetly turns to Miguel and says to
him as if wishing to explain himself, My mom thinks Im
wasting my time and I think the exact oppositewhere
I make good use of time, to really live and learn in all
respects, is here
Dont worry any more about that lvaro. I think youre
right. I only passed on the message, he replies. You do
what you think is right
With that, they see that the rain has completely stopped.
So, after waiting several minutes more, just in case, they
continue on their way.
Within a few minutesin fact they are already close
they get to where the house used to be, where they were
supposed to meet, but theyre told that he hasnt arrived
yet, surely because of the rain. So lvaro suggests they
go to his meeting which they happily agree to
Oh, I forgot to tell you, lvaro warns his companions.
Don Alonso likes talking and walking. Do you mind if
when we talk to him we keep walking? Because youll see
that he likes giving examples of what hes talking about
as we look at our surroundings. Is that okay?
Sure, no problem! Lets go.
Only a few more minutes have passed when at the side
of the road they see someone between the trees looking
down, totally engrossed in his thoughts. He seems to be
miles away At least, judging by his appearance, anyone
34
would think he was completely ignoring absolutely every-
thing around him, be they birds, wind, trees or people.
Gustavo would never have imagined it was Don Alonso
were it not for the way that both lvaro and the engineer
looked at him thats how he worked out that the man
they were looking for was standing front of them.
Gustavos first impression only helped increase his
amazement to an even higher degree, and in a way he
suddenly understands Doa Choles impression of him.
Nevertheless, for a long time he had made sure not to
prejudge opinions and always had that wise Greek phi-
losophers saying in his head: Speak so I can see you,
therefore, he always waited until issuing any kind of
judgment.
With that, lvaro, as he knew him very well and knew
perfectly well the degree of abstraction he sometimes
reached, lets him know theyve arrived by saying:
Don Alonso, were here!
Oh, hello! Welcome to the ranch. Make yourselves at
home, Don Alonso says as he walks up to them.
Gustavo, despite his vast experience in dealing with
people, cannot help feeling rather intimidated by Don
Alonsos direct inquisitive look, which seems like it wants
to guess their deepest thoughts. But, overall, friendly in-
troductions are duly made as lvaro proposes a tour of
the entire ranch so they can have a good talk, and they
all accept
35
CHAPTER IV
A DIFFERENT DIALOG
Once they have started walking, following Don Alonsos
suggestion and heading rst of all to the highest part of
the ranch, which is the place from where the water is
distributed, this unique group of four moves slowly but
surely along a path with a slight uphill gradient, anked
by many avocado trees.
With that, they see, to one side of the path, Benjamn the
ranch manager surrounded by a well-nourished group
of workers busily doing different jobs. But their occupa-
tions do not impede them since, almost in unison, as if in
agreement, they turn with curiosity to observe those two
visitors, and once they walk past, continue with their jobs.
Nevertheless, the ones who give the impression that they
do not care at all about these two visitors is all the other
components of this very special environment. The trees
seem more occupied in making clear their spontaneous,
though invisible, appreciation for the recent rain by
perfuming the atmosphere with an incomparable coun-
tryside aroma, and docilely allowing the many drops
of water still remaining on their branches and leaves
to slowly slide down onto the ground in a slow, almost
rhythmical drip.
The birds are also concentrating on their own thing,
which is singing, apparently, at least, giving the impres-
sion that they are proclaiming to the wind that this recent
surprising rise in humidity, far from making them uncom-
fortable, will contribute to guaranteeing their survival.
The wind, in its own way, participates in this wonderful,
almost magical symphony, as if it feels obligated to keep
36
making a contribution. Therefore, a soft breeze not only
spreads the aroma emitted by the trees and grass, but
effectively cooperates by gently moving branches and
leaves in order to shake off excess water, transferring it
to the ground.
To each his own. This seems to be the unwritten golden
rule, though it has always been respected by nature. In a
mysterious, incomprehensible way, large and small parts
of creation knew all along that it was not necessary to
etch this axiom in bronze. Therefore, without the need
for any written law, all seemed to faithfully follow the
lines of an invisible score.
And that is precisely why those two visitors, Gustavo and
his friend Miguel, also feel they have a specic goal: to
nd out the opinion of that strange character who, though
they consider him rather eccentric, think that perhaps
he could contribute to enriching or somehow improving
the long-awaited forestry project.
But Gustavo cannot decide on the best way to start the
conversation, and just lets it ow. At least, at the begin-
ning and by way of a prelude, he wants to congratulate
Don Alonso for the ranchs impeccable organization, and
says, That idea of installing drip irrigation is, I think,
great because it uses water in a wonderfully economical
way

It not only uses water economically, Don Alonso replies
in turn, but also has a variety of invaluable advantages,
one of which is that it enables us to distribute irrigation
in a more uniform manner on an irregular surface with
different altitudes. And I want to underline that this is
especially important in countries like ours, which have a
large percentage of land that lies on a gradient, for which
this type of irrigation system has not even been produced.
37
Another advantage is that it almost triples productivity
per tree
As he says this he stops, turns and stares at them, and
with a slow but rm voice says, Its exactly what we
could do in our society if we supplied everyone with the
necessary means to develop. The social and economic
potential from this would be exponential and would gen-
erate a number of benets together. But as we are now,
our community seems rather like some of those elds we
see from the highway that are so sad to look at
The productivity we generate in that tree over there,
Don Alonso says, pointing to one of the trees, not only
serves the tree itself, but improves the fruit we bring to
market, distributes wellbeing over the entire ranch and,
you know, by improving the economy of the plantation,
that tree, without realizing it, contributes to guarantee-
ing its own wellbeing, since when the whole is in better
condition, we will take better care of it.
As you can see, my esteemed Mr. Mora, Don Alonso
adds, everything in the world is perfectly intercon-
nected. But the big problem does not lie in the validity
of this infallible law of social interrelation, but rather in
the fact that the vast majority does not even realize that
everything works that way
lvaro and the engineer, on hearing this particular view,
are not at all surprised, since they are already used to it,
but Gustavo is pensively observing Don Alonso with a
certain expression of amazement.
On noting this, Don Alonso, wanting to make Gustavo
more comfortable, says in a calm voice, Youre among
friends. lvaro told me you are preparing a kind of for-
estry project and that youd like to talk with me Tell
us more about this project
38
Well, heres the thing. A new inter-party project, which
intends to decisively resolve the serious deforestation
the country is facing, is being ne-tuned and, since the
issue will soon be discussed in the chambers, we need to
gather a lot of information. We want to put party interest
to one side and just try to achieve something effective
because the situation is serious. Were losing hundreds
of thousands of hectares of forest per year.
The situation is much worse than what you imagine,
Don Alonso replies. And if I may, Ill tell you why. But,
I think I will only mention a few examples so as not to
speak for too long. If I dont, Ill never stop
First of all, deforestation directly affects the normal
rain cycle. You already know how nature works to bring
us water: it evaporates seawater through sunrays and
this humidity is condensed at a certain altitude, forming
clouds. The wind brings them to us and by combining a
series of things, including electricity, that water arrives
here, and without it, we cant do anything
I can assure you, he continues, that even the best group
of scientists in the world couldnt replicate this wonderful
process, not in terms of its cost, efciency or anything
However, for a variety of reasons, many of which are
not even well-known yet, trees and vegetation perform
a crucial role in this. If there is no vegetation, the cycle
does not work as it should.
Im not telling you anything you dont already know,
but in areas where there are fewer trees, such as in dif-
ferent regions of northern Mexico, we have insufcient
rainfall, like only 4 to 8 inches per year. However, its a
different story in the south, which fortunately has greater
forest density, like certain parts of Tabasco, Veracruz and
Chiapas, where rainfall is almost 79 inches per year, or
even more in some areas.
39
Another negative effect, among many, of destroying trees
is that much less rainwater is captured into the subsoil,
since in a deforested zone, the water quickly slides over
the surface and at the edge causes ooding problems in
lower parts.
Also, given that the underground roots usually take up
the same amount of space as the trunk and branches
above ground, having been deprived of a grabbing sur-
face that produces roots, landslides can appear in certain
areas, and though some consider that to be unpredictable,
it can be perfectly avoided by taking the precaution of
looking after the forestry sector.
There are plenty of people who assume that when a
tree is cut down the roots stay in the ground, but what
happens is that since these vegetable remains lack life, as
the years pass, they deteriorate until they stop fullling
their function completely.
And, as I said, in addition to the extremely serious ero-
sion caused since, when water ows quickly it wears
away or destroys the usable vegetable layer, it also seri-
ously affects the underground water strata, which, among
other things, means that wells for urban, agricultural or
industrial purposeswhich are still permitted because
they are becoming increasingly restrictedhave to be
drilled ever deeper year after year.
And if that were not enough, reducing the global forestry
surface also reduces the ability to deal with the astronomi-
cal amount of carbon dioxide being released in increasing
quantities into the atmosphere, which will contribute to
global warming, which, in turn, will alter the normal
climate patterns and may cause alternate droughts with
abnormal weather disturbances with too much rain due
to the rising temperature of the ocean.
40
And what undoubtedly affects good harvests, among
other things, is the irregular behavior of the climate.
Ill summarize some of those harmful proven effects
caused by deforestation because if I start talking about
other things, well never end, believe me
I like how you visualize things, Don Alonso Gustavo
says in a conrmatory tone. Its a hellish situation and
many decisions are made from the capital, where these
kinds of things are not seen rst-hand. Thats why Ive
come here with my friend Miguel to talk to you about
this
Of course! Were very pleased to be here, adds Miguel.
But in effect, this is how things are, like you said
After a few seconds, given the large amount of ideas that
seem to be constantly owing through Don Alonsos rest-
less mind, he adds, slightly concerned, You must forgive
me, my esteemed guests, who of course are welcome. But
I often end up thinking that things will go much further.
Ive said this to lvaro, who is here with us, that the list
of consequences is not even fully known, but they will
hit us in many other ways
Here, lvaro interjects, Tell them, Don Alonso, what
You were telling me the other day!
Yes, do tell us, Don Alonso, Miguel says. Tell us your
ideas. Were just talking when alls said and done
Obviously it hasnt been proven, at least as far as I know,
but a few days ago I was thinking about the following: an
important and thorough piece of research was conducted
on the damage done to the ozone layer by certain chemi-
cals. This is great and Im no physicist or chemist, but I
think that in the eventual deterioration of said layer, we
41
should not only consider what damages it, but also what
prevents it from regenerating properly in order to remain
at appropriate levels
And one of the ways the ozone is formed is through
the photochemical action of the ultraviolet rays of the
atmosphere, which transforms oxygen into ozone, but
also participates in the formation of electricity.
I was thinking that trees might also play a key role
there too. Im happy to tell you, but remember, this is
no more than a possibility and should be taken as such.
Also, I dont know if research has been conducted on
this matter
You see, if we assume that forestry is closely linked to
both rain cycles and cloudiness, this will have repercus-
sions even for the ozone. Why?
Because we have proven in a multitude of cases around
the world that greater forest density leads to better rain
cycles and that happens because cloudiness increases,
which is intimately linked to the amount of lightning
strikes, a factor that also inuences, at least partly, the
regeneration of the ozone layer.
You must recall that the term ozone comes from the
Greek for smell as ever since ancient times the Greeks
have perceived a kind of stench after lightning, which is
explained by electricity producing ozone. But I think that
whats more important than whats generated here in the
lower layers is what happens in the upper levels, since
they can be better preserved there without transforming
into oxygen again
A few weeks ago, with lvaros help, we started re-
searching online the amount of lightning strikes per sec-
42
ond on the planet. But what mainly caught my attention
was the fact that it is in precisely the areas of the world
with greater forest density, such as the Amazon, where
most electric discharges occur.
We tried, Don Alonso continues slowly, to nd out
whether there had been a fall in the number of lightning
strikes per second in the world in recent decades, which
is precisely when there has been the most deforestation,
but we found nothing.
I get the impression, he continues, that there is no
record of this, and this is perhaps due to something very
simple. We are talking about something very recent that
has been quantiable thanks to the placement of meteo-
rological satellites, since in 1970, for instance, we prob-
ably had no idea how many lightning strikes per second
there were in the world.
And this is why we can only speculate. What I can assure
you of is that everyone my age will clearly remember
that many decades ago we heard a lot more electrical
discharges in the sky. And let it be said, I dont mean that
they dont happen now, but there are fewer
We cant not consider, he adds, that this potential link
between the amount of trees, cloudiness, rain, lightning
and ozone, is only a possibility, but it will be up to sci-
entists to tell us more about this.
What I can assure you, says Don Alonso as he stops a
little, looking Gustavo directly in the eye, is that with
the proven damage deforestation is currently doing to
nature, we do not need to speculate at all, like I have
just done. What we already have proven is more than
enough to make us realize that the situation is hellish, as
you yourselves said
43
Unfortunately, Gustavo replies, thats how things are,
more or less, and thats why were here. And the question
for us now is: what do we do?
With all due respect Mr. Mora, before we get to that
point, there is something else we must rst analyze. Why
are things happening like this? Remember that wise say-
ing: The good doctor is not he who attacks the symptom,
but he who looks for the basic cause in order to correct
it. Do you agree?
Well, thats true
Suddenly, Gustavo realizes that, while for the others it is
no surprise to see the change in the surroundings, it is for
him. As they are completely immersed in the conversa-
tion, he does not realize that this entire wonderful envi-
ronment has changed and, instead of being surrounded
by long rows of avocado trees, they now have another
kind of silent witness to the dialog: a large amount of
pine, oak and walnut trees.
From afar, in a slightly lower part, Gustavo spots some-
thing that looks like a little reservoir, which immediately
catches his eye
Excuse me, Don Alonso, he says. Did you make that
little reservoir over there?
The rst thing we did when we bought this property
from the Oceguera Family some time ago, was a topo-
graphical survey to see how, with some changes, we could
make the best use of the rain runoff because we believe
that if we have a little over 40 inches of rain per square
meter per year, even subtracting a percentage due to
evaporation and another due to ground absorption, we
could capture a certain amount and it worked
44
Right there on the base of that reservoirhere theyre
called water potswe placed a few layers of a certain
special material to minimize subsoil absorption and cur-
rently of all the water we use, a portion comes from there,
another from a river than comes from Patamban Mount
and the rest from a deep well we have
Its great that you have water
Well, we dug that well some time ago. Now theyre
banned and we had to go down to 984 feet deep because,
as I said, the underground water level seems to keep fall-
ing each year, since there is a parallel effect: when the
forest area is reduced, the availability of subsoil water
is also reduced
I can assure you, Don Alonso says emphatically, that
rst of all, we covered the entire area with trees and the
most important thing is that we are giving all the water we
use back to the ground, after having made exceptionally
good use of it. The deterioration of underground strata
is not caused by highly productive units such as this
one and others in the region, like those belonging to the
Oceguera, Dodoli, Sahagn, Izarrars Familes and others,
but by the criminal and illegal felling that is carried out
not only in this state, but throughout the country.
Well, Miguel says, you dont need to tell us that. Its
obvious that ecological damage is not caused by ranches
like this one
As you can see, Mr. Mora, Don Alonso continues, and
as Miguel can conrm, this is why be take such good
care of the water, though we couldnt make the huge
mistake of not giving enough water to our trees because
we would be causing ourselves a lot of problems. Thats
why we think that the main correct decision we made
was to install the drip irrigation.
45
Excuse me for insisting, but speaking of what you are
interested in Mr. Mora, that system is not even produced
for the country, not only for fruit projects, but also for
some forestry projects, depending on the ground, climate,
cost of earth and rain, because its necessary to take into
account that a signicant percentage of usable surface
in the country has a certain degree of gradient, which
makes gravity irrigation impractical.
I can assure you that we can become rst rate producers
of certain oily nuts such as almonds, macadamias and
countless fruits, and I repeat, even in some forest projects,
if they are well managed and given proper assistance.
By the way, Miguel interjects, did you know that almost
all the almonds consumed in our country are imported?
But, Don Alonso, Gustavo points out, you were able
to do this project because you had the means. But, the
countryside is poor
Its the other way round; its poor because we havent
paid any attention to the essential thing that should be
looked after, not only in crop and livestock farming, but
in everything: productivity and competitivity. Thats
the number one element, and furthermore, these kinds
of projects usually have to be linked to another thing to
make them sustainable during the early stages
You see, he continues, let me give you the example of
several of our neighbors, who also now have highly pro-
ductive ranches. Their owners, Doctors Alberto and Pris-
ciliano, worked in medicine for many years in Zamora,
but invested their savings here, obviously on some good
advice, and now they have a few ranches with a level of
efciency that you wont even see in Israel. But those
things dont come for free; you have to work hard at it
for many years.
46
By way of a pause, Don Alonso stops and says, Im go-
ing to stop for a moment, since were here. Im going to
quickly go see something over there. Ill be back in ten
minutes. I wont be long
Shall I go with you, Don Alonso? lvaro says.
Ill be no time at all. I want to give Don Chema a recom-
mendation down there. Just keep our visitors company
until Im back
During this brief waiting period, Gustavo realizes that
while being absorbed in that almost magical scene was
a daily, even normal, occurrence for lvaro and the
engineer, for him it meant being transported to a kind
of parallel dimension not fully understood until experi-
enced, even if only for a few hours.
What also surprises him quite a lotthough he does not
express it openlyis a disturbing question he is asking
himself that does not have an answer: how can it be
that, despite being in the true countryside, even having
temporarily cut himself off from all communication, he
can be seeing things from that perspective?
At that point his thoughts are interrupted by an observa-
tion from Miguel.
I was saying, Gustavo, did you know that all the almonds
consumed in this country are imported? And dont lose
sight of the fact that on this particular ranch we are talk-
ing about a single special cropavocadowhose market
is practically covered by state production, but from what
I know of the eld, Im telling you, you have no idea how
much potential there is for countless oily nuts, fruits and
many other things.
47
You were telling me about almonds, Gustavo replies.
Where can they be grown?
That crop, surprisingly, doesnt need a high quality soil.
Its just that its very vulnerable to the cold, but we have
countless space on our coasts where, with the right as-
sistance, suitable conditions can be provided. And there
are more water possibilities on the coast. Also, as Don
Alonso was saying, it can be linked with another produc-
tive activity, such as tourism.
Dont forget, lvaro interjects, that what you see here
is not the norm in the Mexican countryside, but the ex-
ception. Here we have conducted a crop study, market
analysis and, most importantly, we are very dedicated
to the matter.
Its true, lvaro continues, that there are many ranches
that operate very well, even better than here, but this
unfortunately doesnt happen with the vast majority, es-
pecially in a smallholding which, except for its very hon-
orable exceptions, have been transformed into something
so unproductive that very often dont produce enough
for even self-consumption.
And as Don Alonso said, lvaro continues, if we dont
look after productivity were screwed. Ill give you an
examplein this case cornso you can see the scope
of good and bad management and how its reected in
productivity. The average yield is almost three tons per
hectare, and in the United States its around triple that,
in other words, almost nine.
But observe the reaction of some national producers
with low yields: they feel let down and puzzled by the
lower sales prices of corn on the international market,
without reecting on the fact that its not the same to por-
tion out ones cost per hectare between three miserable
48
tonsas happens hereas it is to split that cost between
nine. That makes this crop protable abroad, even with
a reduced sales price.
Its true; abroad they invest a little more per hectare,
but their greater productivity fully compensates to the
point of making them competitive.
To complete the picture, many of those uncompetitive
national producers are practically deceived by some lead-
ers, who tell them that they are victims of free trade, but
the truth is that, with or without international trade, such
low productivity not only harms them, but harms us all.
Of course, there are effective ranches in the country
that even greatly surpass the ton per hectare average of
the United States, but the majority dont even achieve a
third of that. Ill just tell you that if we had productivity
of only ve tons per hectare, that is a little more than
half the average yield of our neighbor in the north, not
only would we be self-sufcient in corn, but wed even
export it.
At that point, Don Alonso comes back accompanied by
an older man called Don Chema and, as he introduces
him, he says he is Benjamin the ranch managers father
Please take care of that, Chema, says Don Alonso as the
man leaves. Any questions, let me, lvaro or Benjamin
know. See you
Are you hungry, gentlemen? he says to the visitors.
Do you want to have lunch with us so we can talk some
more?
They all watch as Gustavo quickly checks the time, since
he is ever more interested in exchanging ideas with Don
49
Alonso. So he immediately judges it pertinent to extend
his stay at the ranch, despite the fact that the food might
be far from wonderful.
If Don Alonso is inviting us, we accept, so we can talk
some more Its very interesting talking to you
Do you want to eat here or shall we go to the house?
Now its Miguel who interjects, thinking that if they eat
right there, theyll have more chance to talk extensively,
which, after all, is his goal. So he says, If you like, we
can eat here, next to that little reservoir
Agreed
At that moment, lvaro makes arrangements with some-
one at the house to x lunch, a bunch of rewood, a
griddle and enough water.
Well just eat here on the ground, on the grassy part.
Do you mind?
Of course not
50
51
CHAPTER V
OPPOSITE POINT OF VIEW?
While lvaro goes to the ranch house to bring the pro-
visions, the rest of the group slowly starts descending
towards the reservoir. Don Alonso and Don Chema walk
ahead, discussing different matters, while Miguel and
Gustavo walk some distance behind them.
Gustavo, though almost imperceptibly for him, has been
so inuenced by this incredibly special place they are
now standing in, that it has caused a kind of unexpected
change in his mood. Putting the natural stresses of his
job to one side and bringing back the joking attitude of
his faraway youth, he says to his friend, Miguel, can
you tell me what the hell were going to eat out here?
This makes Miguel, in turn, who knows him too well,
respond in a similar vein.
When you have eaten the local food in the countryside
just once, nothing will happen to you. Thats why were
here, right?
When I tell Alejandra, Gustavo adds where you
brought me to eat, I mean, in the middle of nowhere,
she wont believe me
Well, you know, you blame me for everything that hap-
pens
Hey, Miguel, in all seriousness, do you think that man
knows what hes talking about?
I told you, but slow down. I get the feeling he hasnt
started yet, though dont be fooled by him because he
52
comes out with all manner of things you cant even
imagine. I suggest we let him tell us all about his idea,
and then you can take whatever you can use. What to
do you think?
Okay
Once they have all arrived at the little reservoir sur-
rounded by different kinds of trees, Gustavo is literally
in shock at the beauty of the place, since it was the rst
time he had been there.
In one sense, we could say that he had fallen victim to
a very curious feeling. And just as birds at the break of
dawn would need all their self-control to remain passive
or silent in the face of the wonderful spectacle of a new
day, Gustavo, too, without being fully conscious himself,
feels obligated to follow that understandable human im-
pulse to try to trap ones surroundings and time.
Its essential, he thinkstaking a tiny camera out of his
pocketto capture this unique moment, as if it were pos-
sible for this invisible wheel of time to stop its inexorable
turn. And he does not realize, or at least that is how it
seems to him, that just as water runs through our hands,
time and space also follow their course, like going behind
a hidden object.
But Gustavo does not understand that and continues in
his irreverent eagerness. And while he is pursuing his
vain attempt, he unexpectedly meets another obstacle:
wherever he turns he seems to have a picture postcard
in front of him.
And he nally believes he has resolved his dilemma by
dreaming of catching time through a great variety of
shots. However, the wind and other mute witnesses to
53
that human eagerness keep a very prudent and timely
silence.
With every intention, they discreetly allow Gustavo to
believe he has triumphed in that vain attempt, knowing
full well that it is not possible to capture its essence, and
that the freedom, beauty and attributes gifted by nature
could not be caught by that tiny camera.
At that point his friend, Miguel, brings him back to the
present world with a simple sentence expressed in a
gentle voice, Wait until lvaro comes and you can also
take a photo of the whole group.
Of course, but I wanted to gain some time.
Suddenly, Don Alonso, realizing perfectly well that Gus-
tavo has been pleasantly impressed by these very special
surroundings, given that the same thing had happened to
him, which in fact was one of the reasons for him staying
here, says with his characteristically slow voice, One of
the challenges of every human being is making sure that
all the good or bad that surrounds us doesnt make us
lose the most intimate conviction that moves our internal
being and is what gives our lives sense and strength.
Remember, my esteemed Mr. Mora, he continues, we
are like foreigners here, and this is how we must proceed
and always live
These simple, surprising phrases make Gustavo reect
that this singular character he has before him possesses
a completely different perspective on things. But that
thought leads him to another that is even more worrying,
though he keeps it to himself: might anyone contribute
something that is applicable to the problem enveloping
us?
54
And while he ponders that idea, they see lvaro returning
with Seora Ofelia, Benjamns wife, who is helping him
with several things and has kindly volunteered to help
prepare lunch. She has gone to the trouble of bringing
some plastic tablecloths so they can sit down comfort-
ably on the grass.
Doa Ofelia has forgotten there were the remains of a
tree that had been the victim of lightning and whose us-
able parts had been adopted to make practical seats. So,
they sit down on them and to one side, with the valuable,
diligent help of Doa Ofelia, the food is duly prepared.
And though the aroma released by the food is pleasant,
Gustavo does not dare ask about the content. But within
a few minutes, Ofelia hands a plate to Don Alonso, who
she admires and greatly respects.
Don Alonso declines, and asks for the rst dish to be
given to Gustavo and, at the same time, explains to him
what is in it:
Please, Mr. Mora, I hope you like it. Its just tortilla and
beans with a stew made with the mole they make down
there, rosemary and cactus paddle.
And once everyone has their plate, they start eating the
food.
As soon as Gustavo takes a bite, he says, Im sure of one
thing in my life. Ive never eaten a taco like this. I dont
know if its the tortilla, the beans or Doa Ofelias touch,
but oh my God, this is exquisite
Miguel, knowing that his friend is not used to country
food, just smiles with Don Alonso. And after they have
been enjoying this original, albeit improvised, lunch for
55
a while, they are all full and sincerely thank Doa Ofelia
for her invaluable help.
Gentlemen, I feel like Im in a different world, Gustavo
says. I think Im already understanding why youre
here
If you agree, Miguel says, lets return to the matter
we were discussing earlier because my friend Gustavo is
very interested in nding out your opinion, Don Alonso,
on this great forestry issue of ours
Well, yes, its a great problem, which in reality concerns
us all to a greater or lesser extent, Don Alonso replies.
The thing is that everyone is absorbed in things, endless
things, and we are all waiting to see who does or says
something
First of all, I appreciate your taking my points of view
into account and am happy to talk to you about them,
but would ask you to take them for what they are, just
an opinion that, like all opinions, we must compare and
evaluate.
As they are all feeling more comfortable, Don Alonso
says, All the problems we see in the world around us are
a kind of consequence of a large or small combination
of negative factors, and this opinion youre asking me
for is very present because its a problem I have myself
dealt with on countless occasions and have even passed
it over to lvaro here
Thats right, Don Alonso lvaro conrms.
A while ago, I mentioned the effects of deforestation and
spoke about two of them. If I may, and I promise not to
talk too much. Ill speak about only three of the elements
56
I consider to be the causesamong others that have
led us to where we are today.
When I have nished, please give me your opinion be-
cause Im also personally interested in having a deeper
knowledge of this kind of thing, since we all learn from
each other.
The rst element that has, to a large extent, negatively
affected the problems we have, and not only in our coun-
try, but in a large part of the world, is the demographic
question.
On hearing this, both guests became a little disconcerted,
especially Miguel. And on noting his expression, Don
Alonso lets it be known with a gesture of his hand that
they should let him expand his idea a little.
All the problems that exist in the world have their origin
in a kind of shift in the rate at which the factors partici-
pating in a certain process operate. Ill try to give you
an example. I can proclaim and assure you that food
is not only good, but also indispensable for lifeand he
points to the leftover food that Doa Ofelia is already
taking away. Its common sense that we would all agree
with that, right?
However, if you or I consume double the normal amount
that we should, I can assure you that within a few days
well end up in hospital, or worse, regardless of that fact
that, in effect, the act of eating is intrinsically good or
even indispensable for life.
Why does this problem sometimes happen? Very simply,
when the rate of food ingestion is faster than the ability
to absorb and assimilate it, its from that moment that the
57
conict can occur, which can be so acute that the shift I
mentioned takes place.
Addressing Miguel, who shows more skepticism when
listening to this part of the conversation, he says, Could
you, Miguel, ingest the same amount of food again that
we have just consumed?
The engineer smiles, thinking about this
Well, thats pretty much what happens in the world,
albeit not visibly. You see, from the mid-20th century a
series of transformations took place in food and hygiene
that fortunately led to the amazing fall in the extremely
high infant mortality rate
Several centuries ago, according to some researchers,
of all the children a woman gave birth to in her lifetime,
a minority survived. Conversely, the situation today has
fortunately changed and over nine out of every 10 chil-
dren survive in the world.
However, this human intervention in the matter led to
an urgent need for demographic planning because, oth-
erwise, observe what happens.
As the rate of demographic growth increasedas I said,
thanks to medicinethe period of population doubling
was shortened, and that means that the necessary satis-
ers could not be provided at the required rate. Thats
what I mean by the shift in the rate I mentioned, which
is one of the basic causes of countless problems in all
areas.
Our country, Don Alonso continues, despite the great
migration to our northern neighbor, doubled its popula-
58
tion in just 35 years, which doesnt sound like much to
most people, but in practical terms means that we should
have been able to build the equivalent of another com-
plete country in that same period and solved the decits
accumulated over the decades or centuries and, further-
more, replaced part of the infrastructure that, with the
passing of the years, is becoming obsolete.
Gustavo is a little surprised by this idea and, despite not
being at all convinced, shows interest in knowing more
about the subject and so asks, And what happens when
infrastructure cannot be doubled at the required speed?
Well, what would happen is exactly what were seeing
now. Our country and any country under those conditions
would have housing shortages due to not having been
able to double supply as quickly as was needed, drinking
water shortages, insufcient drainage, jobs, education,
energy, urban streets, highways, health services, food
production, farming areas, forest reserves and, in a word,
wed have more or less the same situation that prevails
throughout a country with a similar socio-demographic
prole.
All are silent for a few seconds while they look at each
other. Then Gustavo adds, Just out of curiosity, Don
Alonso. If our country doubled in those few years, in
what period of time did the rest of the world do so?
A little over 40 years, but remember that what we call
the rest of the world includes the segment considered
developed and those countries grow at a slower rate.
I thought, Miguel says, that the developed group did
not grow in terms of population.
Of course it grows. That myth has proliferated a lot
because some developed countries do not grow, such as
59
Germany and others, but the group of developed coun-
tries also grows though, as I say, at a manageable rate.
And if we combine the countries from the rest of the
worlddeveloped and underdevelopedthese doubled
in a little over 40 years.
And that, in concrete terms, Don Alonso continues,
means that the world had to have been able to create
absolutely all the infrastructure it managed to build in
its entire history, in a little over 40 years, which logically
would be impossible to do. And this is mainly what has
brought us to where we are now, with everything we
currently lack
But Ive read, Gustavo replies, that the population
growth rate has dropped, and you have a different view
The thing is, Don Alonso quietly says, that the meth-
odology used to make that calculation is not the most
appropriate for demographic matters. That way of evalu-
ating seems more suitable for economic issues, such as
the measurement of gross domestic product, since annual
population growth is related to a gure that grows year
in and year out, and that gives an increasingly mislead-
ing percentage.
And the demographic issue, Don Alonso says, must
instead be related to set factors, such as available water,
farmable land, space, forest reserves and countless non-
renewable natural resources, which seem to be becoming
less available for each inhabitant.
Can you explain this by way of an example? Gustavo
says, increasingly intrigued.
Of course. Look, in the early 20th century, the global
population grew by around 8 million per year. But, you
60
see, by 1940 it was already growing by around 20 mil-
lion, in 1980 by 77 million and in 2010 by 83 million.
So, youll say to me, he continues, how can you say the
rate is falling? Well, yes, strictly speaking this is true, but
no mention is made of the fact that it is calculated on top
of an increasingly higher global amount, which causes a
calming effect, but the problem remains.
And seeing their interest peaked, particularly that of Gus-
tavo, Don Alonso asks them if they want him to expand
a little more on the matter.
I think it would be very interesting to know more. Please
continue, if you wish.
Youre to blame for asking me questions, he says jovi-
ally. But look, if anyone is wondering where the need
to stabilize the population comes from, Ill tell you if you
bear with me a few more minutes.
Nature, my dear friends, has so much to teach us; more
than we can even imagine. The problem is that often we
dont pay attention. If we observe the example of a fruit
tree, well note that it has two phases that are, in a man-
ner of speaking, set against each other. One is the growth
phase and the other the fruiting phase.
Now, let me ask Miguel or lvaro what they know about
the matter. Do you know of any tree that can bear fruit
as it is growing? It usually doesnt happen like that, but
rather the second and extremely important phase of its
existence, fruiting, occurs when its growth is stabilized.
Why does it happen that way? he continues. The rea-
son is simple. When it stabilizes its growth, its vital force
61
reorients it differently, which will obviously be projected
in true fruiting.
Now, let me make an analogy with human society and,
to put it better, allow me to use an anecdote. When I was
in Mexico City, at a scientic cultural society to which I
belong, someone pondered on the number of scientists
and outstanding people the world had produced, which
made me reect on another approach.
Rather than thinking of what we have done, we must
reect on what we have not been able to do because the
greatest error the world has madeand there have been
manywas to have allowed the vast majority of human
beings who have accompanied us on this planet to return
to the landhumanly speakingwith all its potential
unexploited.
They are all silent while Don Alonso continues com-
pletely convinced of his message.
That limited group of people was able to develop its po-
tential, my esteemed friends, because its circumstances
included a group of elements, such as an appropriate
family environment, education, food, an appropriate at-
titude and other aspects. But, I ask you: what would have
happened to Einstein or Newton if they had not received
a good education or food?
You know what? They could have been farmers or who
knows what? I could have been one of those guys working
over there with Benjamn, if I hadnt had the opportunity
to study. It didnt happen like that, as I say because my
circumstances included the necessary elements. Whats
the signicance of what I just said?
When there is a change in the socio-demographic prole
of any country in the world, the need to channel resources
62
is completely transformed and there may be more routes
towards other fundamental elements, such as education
and research and it is from there that one of the junctures
of social transformation occurs.
Let me give you the following example. Currently, a little
under a fth of the world can be described as developed,
which is where most scientists, published books, inven-
tions and countless things come from. Obviously, there
are other elements that must also be improved, but what I
want to underline is that the human development favored
in each man and woman from those places is superior
and that can be perfectly quantied.
I do acknowledge too, though, that they need to evolve
more in other respects. On one occasion I was talking
with a professor from Europe and I recall very well
what he told me: What you need to do is educate your
people; thatll x everything. I remember thinking how
simplistic and ignorant that reection on our problems
sounded overall, and said to him, How are we going to
have enough resources to educate everyone if the means
we have available are not enough for even our most el-
ementary needs?
I told him that its not the same for a European country
that, due to its different population dynamic, has an
annual need for 20,000 or 30,000 homes, to be able to
channel sufcient resources as it is for a country like ours
that, among countless crucial and unavoidable issues,
also needs to channel resources for over 600,000 annual
homes, which we dont even manage to do.
All that results in, as I mentioned, not even managing to
double basic infrastructure in the very short period dur-
ing which the population doubles and, as a consequence,
its much harder to channel sufcient resources needed
63
for education or research in order to take advantage of
the extraordinary potential of each human being.
And this happens for an apparently simple reason. No
importance is being given to the shift in rate of two of
the factors that interact in a certain process which, in this
case, is population growth, with the capacity to provide
the necessary elements for them.
But, the engineer claims, not fully convinced of
what has just been said, you are very familiar with the
transcendence of education. How can someone think
anything else is more important than education? I have
also heard that educated people usually plan their family
better Would education not be better than population
planning?
No one is disputing the transcendental importance of
education, much less someone like myself. In fact, I can
assure you that it is no less than the key to mans true
resource: his intellect. But, in practice, observe what
happens. Heres another example.
If Juan Prez is on the street, has had nothing to eat and
only has 50 pesos, what do you think hes going to buy?
Something to reduce his hunger or a book? Its very likely
that Juan knows how important knowledge is, but I think
hell opt for buying whats more urgent at that time.
The country, gentlemen, he continues, is but the sum
of all the Juans and Juanitas that form it, and if both the
government and the general public have urgent needs
and are lacking water, food, jobs, energy and countless
other things, I think they will focus on their most urgent
needs, even though I also believe it will be difcult to nd
someone who does not place a great deal of emphasis on
the extraordinary importance of education.
64
Let me go further, Don Alonso insists. Some decades
ago, it was the trend for several international groups
to say something similar, that rather than plan, it was
necessary to educate. And that position was expressed,
for instance, at the International Conference on Popula-
tion and Development held in Cairo in 1994. And do you
know what happened?
Exactly what Im telling you; that it was not possible to
educate at the required rate and most countries in the
worldwith high demographic growthhad to put what
was urgent before what was important, and that was a
logical expectation.
Im completely convinced of your good will, Miguel,
but you see, in 1994, when that policy was set out at the
Cairo conference, the world was growing at an annual
rate of just under 80 million people and now it is growing
at a rate of 83 million, in other words, all that remained
were good intentions.
Thats why most experts on the subject now agree that
both things are necessary: planning and education.
With that, Gustavo, aware of a certain difference of opin-
ion on the subject between Don Alonso and his friend,
Miguel, and with the aim of avoiding polarizing the dialog
in any way, interjects with another question.
Don Alonso, Gustavo says, lets assume that the de-
mographic element affects the socio-economic question
in that way, but what repercussions with what you are
saying have on the forestry issue?
Unfortunately, Don Alonso replies, it is reected in
everything. Lets rst look at the growing need for wood.
Think for a moment about the amount of wooden items
used in each home: chairs, tables, beds, closets, doors,
65
etc. Now lets just think about the formwork needed on
average for each home and multiply it by the number of
new homes needed per year, aside from those already
in existence
Now, if we make a rough calculation of every kind of
paper needed per day: toilet, newspaper, magazine, of-
ce, ofcial procedures, wrapping and countless other
things, well realize that were talking about astronomical
gures, which makes us think that, aside from focusing
our attention on illegal felling, what we should be focus-
ing on is consumption levels since, due to the conditions
mentioned, we need tens of thousands of cubic meters
of wood per day.
So, please tell me, he emphasizes. Where is all that
wood going to come from? Fortunately some of it is im-
ported from countries some say barely grow, because
those that do grow are destroying their wood resources
at an incredibly fast rate.
But, bear in mind, Miguel again interjects, that devel-
oped countries pollute most and consume more energy
per inhabitant.
Thats another thing. In terms of energy consumption
per inhabitant, thats correct, Don Alonso replies. But
that consumption will not be exclusive to those developed
countries, but will be precisely one of the problems in the
coming decades experienced throughout the world where,
as each country increases its development, energy use
per person will also rise. Look what has just happened
in China now that its developing.
But, continuing the topic of forest damage caused by
demographic growth, I was saying that, aside from the
disproportionate growth in timber consumption, the av-
erage amount of farmable land is increasingly dropping,
66
leading some farmers to migrate and others to look for
more protable illegal crops like drugs. Others look for
new farmable spaces and the best idea they can think
of is to dismantle or intentionally set re to certain parts
in order to have some surface area.
At that point Don Chema arrives. He had been asked to
help with the installation of certain registry points and
had several questions.
If you like, lvaro offers, Ill go, Don Alonso
Lets both go because I want to take a look at something.
Excuse us a few minutes.
Please, go ahead
With that, Gustavo says to his friend, Miguel, Let me
ask you a favor, my esteemed Miguel. You yourself told
me a while ago that we should let this man rst give us
his point of view, so I suggest that we let him nish and
then we can tell him whatever you want
Sure, but remember that he, himself, told us to say if
we did not agree with him
Of course, but we should let him set out his thoughts
on the issue. Plus, I dont think hes that lost, but well
see at the end
Not even a few minutes have passed when they see at
some distance that both men are coming back and Gus-
tavo says to Miguel, Just look at what theyve turned
this land into. Can you imagine the potential we have in
this country?
Of course, but I get the feeling that you like the coun-
tryside more than I do. But Ill tell you something, Many
67
people dont think about the effort required to make these
things happen. Look at the care they put into each detail.
I get the feeling that that square of wood theyre making
over there will keep a daily record of temperature and
rain because I saw a rain gauge that monitors the reservoir
level and I think I also saw an appliance for measuring
soil humidity. These guys know what theyre doing.
Im telling you, Gustavo argues, what he just told us
pretty much hit the nail on the head, so let him nish
Im not very convinced of that, but Ill do as you say
and at the end Ill give him my point of view. After all,
he, himself, told us to.
68
69
CHAPTER VI
EXPANDING THE DIALOG
Within a few minutes, Don Alonso and lvaro are back
with the group, all in excellent spirits.
The Engineer makes an observation to Don Alonso.
I thought I saw an appliance for measuring soil humid-
ity. That meter is excellent.
Well, exactly. We dont make decisions solely based on
appearances, but rather so we can know with as much
certainty as possible at what point more humidity is
needed and at what point it could be excessive. You know
perfectly well that any well-hydrated tree can better
defend itself against many things, which also helps it in
cases of extreme cold. Additionally, it is not good for us
to have too much humidity, since among other problems,
it would make us waste water and energy.
And another thing I believe has helped us greatly, Don
Alonso continues, is what I once talked about with you,
which is conducting periodic soil analyses in different
parts of the ranch in order to nd out, on time, whether
the soil has all thirteen nutrients in the right proportions,
both the greater and lesser elements.
Im sure, he continues, you must have seen countless
cases where productivity fell due to a lack of some or
several such nutrients. And who knows better than you
that this can and should be preventable. When it is de-
tected just before harvest, its already too late.
I totally agree, the engineer replies. Dont think I dont
tell the farmers. The problem is they dont all pay as much
attention as you and others from the region.
70
Theres no doubt, Gustavo interjects, that when things
are done well, they turn out well. Thats why you have
such high productivity.
Another of the recommendations Id like to make, Don
Alonso adds with his characteristically pleasant disposi-
tion, is that we always have to try to anticipate problems,
like by adopting a kind of preventative criterion. Thats
how weve tried to proceed here and thats one of the
factors that has enabled us to move ahead.
And speaking of prevention, Gustavo says, you already
made your rst suggestion for the project were working
on. Would you like to continue talking about another
suggestion?
I dont like saying contradictory things, Mr. Mora, but
before I go on, Id like to talk to you quickly about how
to implement a potential solution for what I told you
about the population issue. Is that okay?
Thats ne, continue.
The vast majority of our fellow citizens, Don Alonso
says, are not fully aware of many of the effects of what
I told you a moment ago. Indeed, some very conserva-
tive groups, who are meant to be better educated, might
even be opposed.
What has happened in reality is that, in one or two cases,
an appropriate analysis of this situation has been lacking,
and of all its implications.
Thats why, in order to achieve eventual demographic
stabilization, which would denitely lengthen the period
of population duplication and in turn lead to a drastic
reduction in countless shortages and, among other things,
71
would be reected in an increase in the level of human
development in all respects, something pretty simple
must be done.
In simple terms, this problem must be extended to all
of society because an eventual improvement in this re-
spect cannot come about from the conclusion of a group
of experts: that can only be achieved through the sum
of responsible decisions of the millions of couples who
make up a country and that is why this must be set out
in an understandable manner and on a mass scale.
You see, the vast majority is likely to act responsibly, on
the condition that they have been convinced of the why,
and that it can be achieved in a relatively easy way: by
planning this situation in an objective and clear manner.
Therefore, my suggestion, on this particular point, is for
this situation to be opened up to all our society in a very
understandable manner because, as I said, an eventual
reduction in population growth can only come about as a
consequence of greater awareness and social responsibil-
ity, and it is precisely there where we must act.
Also, he warns, there will be people or groups who
from the start will be emphatically opposed, though these
will represent a minority. But that opposition wont be
a product of something rational, but rather as a conse-
quence of prejudice or fanaticism. However, by dealing
with the matter openly and expounding the reasons from
all sides, the best will prevail for all. In the long term,
reason and common sense win.
To prove this, allow me to cite some cases from history.
When some liberal groups expressed the need for de-
mocracy to prevail over monarchy and of equality over
supremacy of gender or race, when this subject was a
72
kind of taboo, prejudice endured. But when the matter
was opened to the entire social spectrum, reason was
imposed and today, even if there are a few radicals, it is
hard to nd someone who will defend absolute monar-
chy, racial supremacy or mans supremacy over woman.
But, I repeat, Don Alonso says when did those myths
fall? Until the time the subject was opened to discussion
and analysis by all. Because when a matter is restricted
to a small splinter group, the situation is extraordinarily
limited and that causes monumental errors.
Now that you mention objections, the engineer inter-
jects, Im personally not entirely convinced, but if you
like at the end Ill tell you why I think differently.
Of course, Don Alonso replies. You see, there is no sub-
ject in the world that doesnt have different perspectives,
which is why its only through dialog and the expounding
of reasons from all sides that we all win.
In summary, Don Alonso repeats, on this topic, my
suggestion is to extend this issue to the entire community
since, as well as allowing for an enriching interaction of
ideas, when we all have a problem, we must resolve it
amongst ourselves, voluntarily and consciously.
Only Gustavo realizes that the engineer would have
preferred to have already put forward his objections,
so he silently, through a very subtle exchange of looks,
gestures that he allow Don Alonso to continue with his
entire idea. Therefore, Gustavo says, Thats right. We
now have a clear idea of your opinion on a potential
solution for this matter. Would you talk to us now about
another suggestion?
Id be happy to. But before I do, allow me to give you a
second observation. Im sure that at the start you may
73
not think it very relevant to the topic of greater inter-
est to us today, but I can see that on a mass scalewith
some very honorable exceptionswere failing in that,
so I ask for your patience and at the end Ill tell you of
the repercussions of all this and how its reected, too,
in the forestry issue.
Id like to start with a story. When I was at university,
about 800 years ago, Don Alonso jokes, one of the
subjects I took was, sociology. The teacher, a very dis-
tinguished researcher, set out in his class the different
types of interest amongst human beings.
According to these sociologists, this teacher told us,
there are two kinds of interests amongst human beings.
Some people have a rational interest, which is so called
because they are parallel like, for instance those of a fa-
ther and son, or those of a husband and wife.
And also, he said, with great conviction, repeating the
opinion of those experts we have other interests that
will be opposed to those, which we will call irrational
and will include all kinds of interests where the good of
one is detrimental to the other. He cited as an example
the case of a boss and a manual worker, where the boss
intended to obtain a greater amount of work for less pay
and the worker was seeking precisely the opposite, as
well as other similar cases.
And as I had the chance to dissent, Don Alonso contin-
ues, I objected: That statement is wrong.
That proposition is wrong? the teacher replied in sur-
prise. And why do you suppose such a thing? And he
read me the list of authors who supported this theory.
Because, I replied, all the interests of human beings
on earth are rational interests and, using that same ter-
74
minology, are always parallel. The thing is that supposed
irrationality or opposition only exists in appearance,
supercially and in the very short term, since, I repeat,
in the long term, all the interests of a family, country or
even the world go hand in hand.
I confess that at the start, my dear teacher thought that
was outright heresy, but in the end, Don Alonso contin-
ues, he set out countless examples that corroborated my
theory and, to make a long story short, the teacher was
convinced and, interestingly, let me tell you that during
that semester he even exempted me from the nal test
with a very good grade.
I was telling you a moment ago that this particular socio-
logical point of view might seem rather insignicant, but
if we go a little deeper we will realize that it has terrible
repercussions, like few things in our society.
Ill use some examples, if I may. First of all, Ill make my
point with an analogy using the human body. You see,
cells in all organisms, be they in a muscle or a tissue, are
not in opposition to those of any other part of the body.
They will be different from each other. Some may even
receive more oxygen and nutrients, but I can assure you
that those doing well will benet the rest and those doing
badly will be harmful to the rest.
When for any reason, Don Alonso maintains, seeing the
expectant look on everyones face, the false theory of
the cellular ght or confrontation ends up prevailing,
pointing to supposed inequalities in the level of receipt
of oxygen, nutrients or different cellular characteristics,
even the survival of the organism would be at risk since
it could also end up dying.
Now let me suggest some examples within the social
context, so you can see what I mean.
75
If a politician at the highest level does a good, honest
and efcient job during his term of election, the benet
generated is projected in the short and medium term onto
the community. But, there are those who cant see that
this benet, in an infallible and invisible return action,
will also benet himself and his family, since theyre all
part of this same country, which will be more prosperous
and will have greater opportunities for development.
I mean, Don Alonso assures them, with much convic-
tion, any social action always has a certain reaction,
but what many dont see is that the good or bad created
comes back in favor of or against the entity responsible
for the act.
Now, he says, lets analyze the opposite case. Lets
suppose that this politician, possessing a completely
short-sighted, backward social vision, assumes that there
is a disassociation between his interest and that of the
entire collective. Therefore, convinced hes the most
astute of mortals and with an evident lack of ethics, not
only does he do a mediocre job, but he uses public funds
improperly.
Regardless of his particular perspective, he continues
slowly, this improper behavior will not only affect to a
greater or lesser extent his electorate, but his bad man-
agement will come back to haunt him, his family and his
descendents since, as well as the civil responsibilities in-
curred, whether its discovered or not, the damage caused
will catch up with him and everyone connected to him in
the present and future by virtue of being part of a more
limited community due to his political mismanagement.
The three remaining members of the group, as if in
agreement, listen very attentively to this enthusiastic
talk by Don Alonso, even giving the impression that the
tacit agreement of this small group has been extended to
include the other witnesses of this splendid scene.
76
The sound of the birdsong, the leaves in the trees blow-
ing in the breeze and the almost imperceptible lapping
of the small waves in the reservoir is so discreet that
one could almost assume that instead of interrupting the
conversation, they seem to have decided to be respectful
of this curious dialog.
But, it is Don Alonso who seems unable to contain him-
self. He is so convinced of his theory that, putting the
special spectacle that surrounds them to one side for a
moment, he continues with his unique examples.
Now, lets analyze, he continues with great conviction,
the case of a school teacher. A good teacher, as most are,
by doing his job well is not only guaranteeing his posi-
tion, but also helping to create a better, more prosperous
country which, even if it werent his main objective, will
somehow contribute to making his own future more
solid, since if the community in which he lives is more
prosperous and developed, hes helping himself and his
nearest and dearest.
Now, lets suppose there is a bad teacher who, for some
strange reason, hasnt understood this invisible bond be-
tween his interests and the common good and, therefore,
decides to harm the community by applying pressure
and organizing street blockades. What is he producing,
not only for others, but also for himself?
Regardless of whether he realizes it or not, the following
will happen. Not only is he giving a terrible example to
students and other social groups, but hes also damaging
the image of his country and union which will, in turn,
damage himself. Why? Hes reducing the potential of the
community of which he forms part, which will undoubt-
edly affect him personally and his friends and family in
different ways, and not only in the present. The effect
77
will be felt for many years to come. It seems unbeliev-
able, doesnt it? But thats what happens.
And, you know, the worst of it is that this teacher in
particular is not even aware of the inter-relationship that
exists in all of society.
And, if Im not boring you, can I tell you about another
case? asks Don Alonso.
Go on
If we have a good plumber, for instance, and that person
always does his job efciently, could his behavior have
repercussions on him either directly or indirectly?
Of course. he says. First of all, the direct repercussions
of his behavior will be to increase his portfolio of clients
and personal prestige. Secondly, the indirect repercus-
sionsthough imperceptiblewill be that hell be aiding,
through his work, even if it is a tiny percentage, the well-
being and full productivity of the community to which
he belongs, which will almost invisibly favor him too.
Now, lets imagine, hypothetically, the opposite case.
If a person doesnt do his job well, and even as a worst
case scenario, lets suppose he goes to the extreme of
committing assaults, since he feels that he discovered
in his blindnessthat criminal behavior constitutes an
easier and quicker way of obtaining funds. How will his
particular behavior rebound on him?
His criminal behavior is not only putting his own life
at risk, but is also weakening the community of which
he forms a part. Hes damaging the image of his country
which will, by some proportion, even reduce tourism,
which will reduce his own chances of nding work, as
well as those of his family and friends, as well as count-
78
less other things that would show that all actions not only
affect our environment, but also always rebound on us
in different ways.
Millions of positive and negative actions happen each
day. Can I cite another? asks Don Alonso.
Go on
Lets imagine an irresponsible driver whose family and
friends had insisted that he doesnt drive under the inu-
ence of alcohol, but he argues that accidents can happen
to anyone and that furthermore, his car is insured and
stuff like that.
On a good dayor bad day, as it turns out, he says
jokingly, shortly before dawn, he leaves a party and
knocks over a woman, killing her. That person was a
nurse and also a single mother. The driver considers
himself slightly unconnected from the event and his poor
social perception makes him appear condent because
he has attorneys and insurance.
He doesnt even realize, or at least thats how it seems
still assuming that hell be let off by the lawthat the
damage he caused will in time rebound on him. Why?
Putting moral considerations to one side, rst he sub-
tracted from the countrys labor force by taking away a
human being who could have carried out many positives
actions and, furthermore, cant now support two small
children who will grow up in an even more dysfunctional
manner. His future behavior will also leave a lot to be
desired, which will harm everyone, including the driver.
I could make an endless list of actions in absolutely
all elds of the human sphere, showing you how every
kind of behavior, be it good or bad, will always have its
79
inevitable positive or negative consequences, rstly to
others, but later, and almost always invisibly, towards
the person himself.
The problem, gentlemen, would not be so much to show
the infallibility of this law of social action and reaction,
not even by proving how all the interests of a human
being on the planet run parallel. The distressing thing
is that the vast majority doesnt have a clue about how
this inevitable interaction between those who make up
society operates.
Also, not only does it operate at national level, but it
also extends to the entire global community. If a nation
somehow generates wellbeing over another, that benet
will later turn it into a better client or supplier of a certain
good or service, which would benet both in many ways.
Thats why youll understand why, when I was at uni-
versity and heard about that sociological theory that
assumed the existence of certain rational and other
irrational interests, I didnt share that vision because
I thoughtand I am more convinced each daythat all
the interests of a human being are rational interests and
are completely and inexorably interrelated.
Believe me, the big problem, he insists, is that this
invisible social mechanic is not felt by all and that makes
for an extraordinary limiting factor, since all human be-
havior combined causes the current state of things in the
country and in the world.
However, if up to now it has been thus, that is, that the
majority doesnt understand the reach of its actions, this
doesnt mean that it should continue to be this way, and
a real sociological perspective can and must be projected
to all if we want to see its effects.
80
There is a small pause as everyone is a little pensive. But
that brief silence does not last long because Don Alonso,
seemingly unable to avoid setting out his idea and giv-
ing the impression that he has analyzed it from several
perspectives, continues.
Im going to move ahead a little, gentlemen, because
Im sure that even though youll be convinced of the
importance of the matter, youll also have two questions.
What are the repercussions on everything, including the
forestry problems we have today? And what solution can
be given to change this?
In terms of the negative effects of the prevalence of a
primitive social perception of many, where it is assumed
shortsightedly and supercially that there is a kind of
disconnection between individual behavior and a certain
total result, believe me, provided that anachronous social
vision is maintained, true development will not come and
the results will have repercussions on everyone.
I was telling you that the total result of a country is not
the sum of the behavior of every man and woman who
form it, but if the majority does not have a clear idea of
the scope of the apparently insignicant consequence of
its own behavior as a whole, the results will be the social
panorama that surrounds us.
Many people will think the great repercussion of some-
thing apparently as insignicant as I have mentioned
unbelievable, but in everyday life, it will be projected
onto all elds of human behavior, which will include the
forestry issue that now concerns us.
The actions of a person on his society are like the case
of a tiny cell on an organism. The failed or successful
behavior of each cell will have repercussions on the or-
81
ganism in some proportion and, at a certain time, will
also harm or benet itself by forming part of this whole.
Lets look at it in a more practical manner: if any commu-
nity does not have an advanced social vision, that attitude
will be reected in dirty streets, violence, unpunctuality,
insufcient quality in goods and services, lack of probity,
family dysfunction and endless attitudes that will limit
the whole result.
And not only that, but it will mean that the community
has to spend in excess as an effect of this group of un-
suitable actions, but that excess expense in some areas
will mean that less must be spent on other key matters,
such as forestry.
Additionally, it also wields inuence on an individual
level. When someone lacks a proper social vision, if for
example, he makes a simple re in a forest, he might not
take proper care by not realizing that if a re is caused, in
reality he is also harming himself. And I could mention
thousands such cases.
With that, Gustavo, also very interested in the matter,
states Youre absolutely right, but what could we do to
change that?
That very question is one I have been asked by a person
who at that time was Minister of Public Education, when
I was in Mexico City and Ill tell you what I told him.
The approach to the subject of civic awareness has to
change, making the transcendence of this situation felt
in such a way that books on that subject may clarify the
idea of the total result of the country. Its the sum of the
behavior of each and every one of us that makes up the
82
country, and how individual actions will rebound on
each one of us.
The then Ministry of Public Education and his Deputy,
with whom I spoke in the mid-1990s, were more recep-
tive to this idea, and with a few amendments, upon prior
analysis, gave instructions to have the proposed changes
made, but they only managed to do so in a very limited
manner because the people in charge of educational
materials at that time were not keen on the proposal and
even accused me of wanting to establish an exploitative
society.
An exploitative society?
Thats what they said. Also, at a meeting where I tried
to convince them, the attorney Fernando Pineda who
accompanied me, strongly insisted that I shouldnt allow
them to disregard the educational materials proposed,
but the publishing house where I was at that time didnt
want to get into a dispute with the Ministry of Public
Education, so other texts that only slightly tackled the
issue I just mentioned were approved.
Let me be frank, Don Alonso emphasizes, I dont know
if they started to see the meaning and scope of that theory,
or deliberately wanted to throw it out, but I was even ac-
cused of using anthropomorphic examplessuch as the
interrelation that exits between behavior and a small cell
and how the behavior is projected in the entire body
and they said that pupils wouldnt understand that. Of
course pupils would have perfectly taken that in.
Gustavo, surprised, asks, Why would they want to put
something like what you proposed down? The favorable
result it would produce could not be clearer.
83
Indeed, but heres the thing: there are some theories
that mention a kind of class warfare and other things
that, from my point of view, are badly founded. And
surprisingly, there are still some groups that defend that
and consider that what I was proposing went against
their ideas.
But now that you, Mr. Mora, he insists, tell me that
there is genuine interest in improving the situation, in all
sincerity I put forward my point of view and I can assure
you that as long as each pupil and future fellow citizen is
not made to feel the great transcendence of each action,
rstly on others and then on each one of them, nothing
will advance.
And let me go even further. Dont believe that the de-
veloped countries of the world achieved their position
by possessing great natural resources, a solid economy
or for any other reason. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
They achieved that level because the vast majority of men
and women who make up these countries acquired that
apparently insignicant social perception.
To which Gustavo says, Basically, I completely agree
with you. The thing that leads me to understand that the
vulnerable situation we now have will not be solved in
the short term.
Of course not, Don Alonso replies immediately. But
remember that wise countryside saying: The longer we
take to sow, the longer well take to harvest.
Just think, soon two decades will have passed from the
frustrating experience I told you about and if we had
managed to properly transmit that crucial idea of hu-
man inter-relation to all of the then 12-year-old pupils,
we would already be in the full process of change. Many
84
generations of students would have seen things from a
more advanced perspective. But we could start now.
Furthermore, dont think that this is some kind of other
option. I can assure you that there is no other develop-
ment route. As long as we dont transmit that social vi-
sion, we wont get anywhere.
Dont let not achieving results in the short term, that is,
in the brief period of an administration, mean, Mr. Mora,
Don Alonso says, almost pleadingly, that it is not given
its due importance. Remember that important saying that
Jean de La Bruyre described very well: There is an error
in politics: thinking only of oneself and in the present.
I tried as hard as I could, he says, almost pleadingly, to
convince someone in the current government to act as
statesmen and not politicians. That phrase The politician
thinks about the next election, but the statesman thinks
about the next generation has just come to mind.
While all this dialog is taking place in such special sur-
roundings, an unprecedented event seems to occur: the
birdsong, that soft breeze that seems to kiss the grass and
leaves and the lapping of the waves give the impression
of having agreed to show a certain respect for what is
being said there, and the particular sound each of them is
making is very discreet, as if it doesnt want to interfere
in such a meeting.
Even though we are not certain whether the surround-
ings are acting in that way out of respect or confusion,
since the now submissive witnesses surrounding them
might also have an opinion and perhaps pronounce a
more severe judgment.
Furthermore, if we add that it is suitable to extend the
number of opinions to achievehumanly speakinga
85
superior truth, perhaps it would be a good idea to imagine
a hypothetical opinion on the surroundings, and above all,
remembering the voice of that poet: In this treacherous
world, / Nothing is truth nor is it a lie, / It all depends on
the color, / Of the glass with which it is seen.
Nor can we forget that there are no colors and glass more
diverse that the tones of a spontaneous rainbow, like those
that quietly light up the sky after a storm. Therefore, by
way of a cheeky experiment, let us give a voice, at least
for a moment, to those accompanying us today in this
punished planet.
It is very likely that the other participants of that, for
now, still scene will carry out their analysis from another
surprising point of view. Perhaps they will say that the
members of that picturesque group, despite being sur-
rounded by that almost mystical environment, regardless
of whether they feel like the owners of a portion of that
pale reection of universal knowledge called human sci-
ence, and also putting to one side what good will they
had, might be judged very harshly.
What vain attempt is that, they would loudly say to us,
to want to x things with your profane hand, when it
was the same human that broke it all?
Was it really not this vain attitude that put all of nature
at great risk, like a fragile boat at the edge of a waterfall?
Arent you aware of the risk that not only you are run-
ning, but that in your insanity youre dragging all of
nature along with you? Have you really not heard the
thunderous sound of the water when it falls from a great
height and how, without meaning to, it crashes with great
force against the rock?
86
You, who are conceited, who presume to know a lot by
trusting your vain science Dont you see that in a matter
of hours, you change your conclusions like owers in a
eld shed their petals? Have you not seen the sad truth
that you are leaving behind in your wake?
Why do you presume to be able to see, if you do not even
start looking, the disaster in your path and the damage
youre causing?
Why do you pretend not to see that, by staying on the
same path, youre putting the great project of the world
at risk?
What youre proposing, like a great discovery Is it re-
ally not just the same thing that, from the same principle,
you were told to suggest? Is it not man with his malice
who turns good to bad and whose behavior rebounds
on him?
Why do you say that you cant see that the cause of the
problem and its solution is not in your inventions or in
manufacturing appliances, but rather in harmonizing your
world? As much as you raise your voices, if you dont
unite wills, if you dont join forces, the world and what
you admire today will fall from your hands.
But this possibility of judgment, at least for the moment,
must not concern us because each big and small thing,
regardless of its sizebe they large stars, those tiny bees,
or those small owerswill only follow their course and
their original designs.
So, if we have that lesson from nature, let us also create
our own, and with a little more patience, let us listen to
what we are being told by that group of people.
87
CHAPTER VII
ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
On that unrepeatable afternoon at the El Encinal Ranch,
fate has acted once again in a rather capricious manner,
which is noted by the way in which things are coming
together: it makes for a very curious combination and
within the framework of a fable like scene are a group of
people with very different perspectives and motivations,
albeit united in the face of a common problem.
Though, on the other hand, we must acknowledge that
the sometimes surprising hand of fate, acting as it is, in-
terspersing very different interests, is not being consistent
with other behaviors, since that custom of combining
different elements seems to be a resource much used
by nature.
As proof of that, all that is needed is to look above to see
that the clouds, completely ignoring human opinions,
merely slide slowly and silently through the sky, as if
going in an unknown direction. And to corroborate that
divergent behavior, on the other hand, in the same scene,
we will see that the sun, without allowing itself the slight-
est distraction or doubt, continues with chronometric
precision along a certain route, regardless of who speaks
or who keeps quiet.
This makes us realize that the different views of the group
mentioned are perfectly understandable, and only seem
to endorse the particular style of that majestic, albeit
invisible, score.
Thus we will see the interaction of different perspectives.
Gustavo, despite being impressed by the picture postcard
88
scene, is sufciently perceptive to realize that this is a
different dialog, from which some valuable things could
be taken.
And though he becomes silent for a few moments, he does
so deliberately because he wants Don Alonso to speak
at length and is thinking about the best way to transmit
what he thinks is of greater interest.
Something very different is happening to the engineer,
since neither the dialog taking place nor the surround-
ings seems particularly important. Perhaps it is due to the
fact that, on the one hand, he is already used to similar
conversations with this singular character and on the
other, his work as an agronomist obligate him to spend
time in similar environments.
lvaro had been quite surprised when he learned about
that other facet of Don Alonso, since he never would
have imagined that years ago he had made that fruitless
attempt to improve books on civic awareness.
Furthermore, he had not visualized the extraordinary
scope there could be if everyone possessed something
that was not only a different sociological approach, but
rather that the original perspective, aside from being
new was perhaps the only path that humans must have
always had, since he immediately understands that this
would have led us to a completely different panorama.
lvaro would surely prefer to know much more about
the matter, but he prudently thinks it preferable, for the
time being, not to delve too deeply into the matter so
there can be a greater exchange of ideas with the other
guests since, he thinks, what we have here in abundance
is time and Ill have my chance to talk about it.
89
But the particular case of Don Alonso is another story.
Such is the amount of things that ows from his mind
that both lvaro and the engineer better understand the
reason for his abstraction during his long walks around
the ranch: he is thinking deeply with such a degree of
introspection that almost nothing can distract him.
Though in a moment like this, when he is incidentally
asked about this kind of thing, it seems like a faucet has
just been turned on.
Havent I bored you, gentlemen? Don Alonso says. Do
you want me to tell you about a third suggestion I can
make on the matter concerning us today?
Well, actually, yes we do. Gustavo replies. Before we
leave this wonderful place, of course, wed like to hear
more of your views on the forestry issue.
Would you prefer to go to another part of the ranch or
shall we continue right here?
Id prefer to stay here. I dont think well nd another
place like this, he says, turning to the others. Is that
okay with you all?
Of course, here is just perfect.
The other idea to improve the area concerning us today,
Don Alonso starts to say, is also simple, though no less
important. However, if I may, Id rst like to describe to
you the context, in order to reect on the background
that encouraged some politicians to make several of the
mistakes they did. But fear not, Ill do it as a very short
summary.
90
In recent centuries, there were some apparently well
intentioned socio-economic theories that aimed to benet
the majority and caused more harm than good.
Some thinkers, such as Karl Marx and a certain group
that followed him, prepared a series of propositions
that, from the start, were badly founded, but managed
to convince many, given that they were embellished in
apparently profound social meaning.
These men, among many other things that they said,
thought they had to look for equality amongst human
beings as one of the basic objectives, but those apparently
laudable intentions transformed the economic structure
to such an extent that practically all the countries that
followed those propositions experienced such disaster
that they went radically backwards.
For other leaders who have not yet done so, this has
not been so much due to an ideological conviction, but
rather due to political convenience in order to try to jus-
tify their remaining in power for the inherent benets it
gives them.
But, excuse me, the engineer interjects. The search for
equality is perfectly valid and desirable, isnt it?
Of course, but not like that. Because that way all you
achieve is breaking everything. Equality must not be
sought as the main objective, but rather the demolition
of differences in terms of access to certain social satis-
ers, and this must be achieved as a mere consequence or
secondary objective, that is the product of a successful,
harmonious and well planned economy.
I can assure you that whoever seeks equality in that way
as an essential objective will cause phenomenal damage.
91
Nevertheless, we mustnt blame those who rst saw the
social issue in such a supercial way. The point is that
they didnt analyze things well.
Among many other errors, they assumed that the free
enterprise system or capitalism, as it is called, was a
kind of articial invention of some to take advantage of
others, but the truth was very different.
You see, when, in the 18th century, some thinkers such
as Adam Smith and others described the market system,
they were not inventing it, as some naively assumed, but
only describing how it operated. It is perfectly demon-
strable that this system has existed since the apparition
of human civilization, for many millennia.
Let me give you an example, Don Alonso continues.
Lets go back 40 centuries, when a shepherdlets give
him a name, Simonlooked after his sheep in a lost
mountain of Mesopotamia instead of being at a tavern
with his friends
Let me tell you that Simon did not behave like this
because he was particularly responsible, or because he
wanted to bring meat, skin and wool to market to prevent
shortages. The reason was very simple. Simon wanted
to make a prot and moved by that stimulus, without
realizing it, he contributed invisibly to adding his mod-
est production to the grand total of goods and services
produced, without which the survival of his very society
would have been phenomenally damaged.
Why do things happen like that? Could it be rather that
those seeking a prot or benet are pursuing a selsh
goal, as some have supercially stated? A slightly super-
cial analysis might say so, but if we examine the process
in greater depth, we will see that the reality is different:
92
Nature, in an incredibly wise way, gifted all the processes
it considered vital with a certain primary stimulus so
that whoever followed it would generate another second-
ary effect, which is the truly important one because it
meets other certain important objectives.
In other words, Don Alonso continues, 10,000 years
ago there was no kind of council or world congress be-
tween tribal chiefs that aimed to nd a way to encour-
age procreation in order to guarantee the survival of the
human race. I can assure you that such a hypothetical
meeting never took place, not could it have, for many
different reasons. What happened in its place?
Nature, in a much more intelligent way, placed a cer-
tain primary stimulussexual impulseand after it
produced another secondary objective that was truly
transcendental: the continuation of the species. Without
the achievement of that invisible secondary objective,
believe me, nothing in nature would have worked.
As an aside, it is logical that in the advanced stages of
human development, other kinds of superior values par-
ticipate in decision making. What I want to note is how
absolutely everything was gifted with a certain stimulus
primary objectiveand by following it another second-
ary effect is generated that is much more important, but
curiously, most of the time, not even perceptible.
With that, Don Alonso turns to some trees to his right
and, as he points at them, he says, Do you know why
those trees grow?
They are all thinking, reecting that they have never been
asked such a thing
They develop that way precisely because of a certain
stimulus or primary objective, which is to have more
93
solar radiation in order to be able to better do their job of
photosynthesis. But the majestic thing about who made
them is that, without realizing it and like something ap-
parently collateral or secondary, they are generating
countless benets for the ecosystem, as we have already
mentioned. In other words, thats exactly what nature
was looking for.
Also, since I mentioned the trees, observe how, when
there is a certain group of them relatively close to each
otherthough not too close because that would not help
themthey all seem to grow taller. Do you know why that
happens? Because theyre competing against each other,
as if they want to be taller to get more solar radiation.
But lets return to the human example and our imagi-
nary friend Simon, the shepherd from 4,000 years ago.
I can assure you that he worked very hard because, by
way of incentive, he pursued a certain benet or prot,
if you will, which turned into his objective or primary
stimulus. But observe how, without even realizing it, he
was meeting other collateral and invisible objectives,
which included contributing to bringing meat, skin and
wool to market.
And you see, the total of goods and services available
from those years and before, was made up of all those
who behaved like Simon. Were it not for people like him,
the market would have practically nothing and with goods
scarce, prices would have gone through the roof, or worse,
which would have caused an overall catastrophe.
Another invisible benet provided by Simonand this
is importantwithout realizing it, was that by having
made sure that his costs did not exceed his incomea
condition for obtaining his desired benet or prothe
subtly, albeit limited to the area of his own behavior, con-
tributed to the community in which he lives by being able
94
to optimize the use of all the resources available, since,
as all production factors are limited, had that invisible
hand not participated, the total social damage would
have taken on disastrous proportions.
The rest of the group is silent, listening to Don Alonsos
peculiar analysis, which they think is very interesting,
since they have not looked at it that way. Gustavo makes
an observation.
I personally think that its as you say, but I had a friend
at school, who would tell me that the market system
should not work since it was not perfect. What do you
think of that?
Nothings perfect, he replies. Not even marriage or any-
thing that might come to mind. But nor does that mean
we must eliminate the imperfect The entire sphere of
human behavior is imperfect, which is why labor, trade,
family, health, tax, penal, transport and many other laws
exist, precisely to circumscribe that imperfect human
behavior, trying to direct it to the common good.
Thats true, Gustavo replies.
But, Don Alonso continues, returning to human behav-
ior in the economic context, and returning to the motives
that were behind the behavior of that shepherd from 40
centuries ago. By way of a cheeky experiment, imagine
for a moment that all the Simons of those years had not
felt the almost pressing need to look after their costs.
Do you know what would have happened?
A country is not the sum of the Simons, Juans, Pedros,
Sofas and Carolinas, and all those who form it. Believe
me, if nature, in that very intelligent way, had not placed
that invisible mechanism so that each person looked after
95
his own costsin order to obtain a benetsuch an
apparently simple thing would have caused such a waste
of resources on a mass scale that the economy of that
place would have been practically ruined.
That is, esteemed gentlemen, no more and no less, what
happens when things happen without understanding
them well, even with the best of intentions. Why am I
telling you all this? Well, these motivations that incentiv-
ize productivity have been altered in some way in the
eld, and Ill tell you why.
Oh, and not only that, but this element that Ive men-
tioned must be interrelated with another perspective
that some do not clearly understand at all. Ill tell you
what I mean.
I was saying that if one person with a little knowledge
of the matter seeks equality as a primary objective, he
can cause more harm than good for a very simple rea-
son, which is not only in the economy but in practically
everything that surrounds us. You see, things operate
based on apparent inequalities.
No kind of activity could be carried outnothing at
all if those apparent inequalities didnt exist. Ill give
you a funny example: not even the toilet in your homes
would work when ushed. Now it works because theres
an inequality or differential between the atmospheric
pressure of the water tank with regard to the lower part,
but were these to be equal it simply wouldnt work.
But, he says jokingly, dont fear, theyll keep working.
No equality hunter has intervened there.
They all smile at that comment. Meanwhile, Don Alonso
continues, very convinced of his idea.
96
Do you know how that reservoir we have opposite was
lled? By a countless series of differentials or inequalities in
a multitude of things. First of all, the heat of the sun on the
surface of the ocean caused differentials between the tem-
perature of the water over that of the upper layers, which
made a certain amount of them rise through evaporation.
When the pressures were stabilized at a certain altitude,
the water formed into clouds, and other kinds of differ-
ences between the temperatures of the surface of the
earth, together with other physical divergences, caused
the formation of winds, part of which brought some
clouds over here.
Other different kinds of inequalities combined with the
action of electricity which, in turn, was formed due to
similar reasons, made the rain fall in this area, and the
differences in the level of topography of the soil along
with the atmospheric pressure and other things made the
water fall down this hillside and reach this point. A series
of more inequalities will carry this water up to the foot of
the trees and others will make it penetrate to the root.
Let me just tell you that absolutely everything in nature
and even in the universe operates as it does because of
those apparent inequalities. If in any part of Creation
a gullible or absent-minded person, trying to win easy
sympathy, manages to eliminate the disparities or dif-
ferences, everything is suddenly automatically ruined.
Even the stars move in the sky for the same reason.
So, the engineer claims, lets see if I understand. Are
you pondering social inequalities?
Not at all. Its obvious that any person with common
sense and a minimum of social and human responsibil-
97
ity doesnt want, or rather, we dont want there to be
inequalities. What Im trying to say is that rst we must
understand how things work in order not to seek equal-
ity for the sake of it.
That more egalitarian society must survive as a kind of
consequence of the performance of a certain activity or
increase in its productivity, so we can help each other
have a better community for a common benet.
The ideal is to tend towards a system of equal opportu-
nities, where it is rather the actual performance of each
human being that determines personal growth. What,
of course, we must safeguard is that our fellow citizens
have adequate levels of education and other determining
social factors.
If we proceed in such a way that productivity, effort
and personal development is not stimulated, instead of
doing good for the person and the community, they will
be harmed in a way you cannot imagine.
Why am I telling you all this? Because the erroneous vi-
sion or approach of some politicians in our country and
in others has led to us adopting practices that have not
contributed to ending poverty, but have perpetuated it.
Some politiciansnot allhave handled poverty as if it
were an evil in itself, when this lamentable social issue
is merely a consequence of other things. Its the result of
a combination of factors that we have often neglected.
Its a logical and inevitable result of the lack of adequate
education, fair employment and family planning on occa-
sion, together with inadequate life habits, family dysfunc-
tion, sometimes erratic government policies and other
things. To make matters worse, almost as a rule, several
98
of the elements combine to a greater or lesser extent to
form a highly unfair and explosive mix.
But getting back to the matter at hand, Don Alonso,
Gustavo interjects, as if fearing that the conversation is
going in another direction. What does that have to do
with deforestation?
Well, he replies slowly, I was getting to that. What Ive
been saying was the preamble or background. The thing
is with an approach like the one Ive just mentioned, the
intention is to solve social inequality by providing per-
manent subsidies and gifts, which will only contribute
to perpetuating the situation.
Don Alonso, the engineer claims. In my work as an
agronomist, I have seen that a series of government sup-
port programs helps the people in the countryside a lot.
Dont misunderstand me, Don Alonso replies. I dont
in any way want farmers not to receive help. On the
contrary, I want to go further. It would be healthy to help
them in a more decisive way, but with an approach that
stimulates production. I like using a lot of examples and,
if I may, Ill give you one now.
lvaro, do you remember that man Juan, who once
helped us with some building jobs?
I remember him well.
When he came, Don Alonso says. I asked him about
his activity in the region and he told me that he worked
in the countryside and that he had a small plot of corn.
I asked him why he wasnt tending well to his plot since,
if he wasnt going to take care of it, it wouldnt produce
much, to which he replied:
99
Well, heres the thing, he said with great conviction, I
have a different kind of harvest.
What different kind of harvest? I asked, surprised and
fearing that he was participating in some kind of illegal
activity.
The thing is, my harvest is not what the corn produces,
but what the government gives me for sowing.
That particular approach, Don Alonso continues, ap-
parently harmless and even with a certain intention
that the government becomes a kind of great benefactor
to the farmer, is what damages agricultural and forest
productivity, which is why I risked boring you with the
ideological background of that kind of behavior.
I cant deny that there are very specic situations under
very particular circumstances where certain groups must
occasionally be helped, especially in the case of disas-
ters. But to act like that as the norm or, even worse, for
electoral ends, as others do, is harmful, even for those
who receive help.
As a sample, lets observe what happened in the example
I saw and that I was telling you about. Juan will continue
receiving help, regardless of the fact that his productivity
level remains much below its true potential.
But, you know something? Hes not to blame because
Juan or anyone would do the same. The problem really
started from when the mechanics of that assistance were
designed, which is typical of those who have the super-
cial mentality I mentioned a while ago, of people who
yearn to become great social benefactors and dont attack
the basic causes of the problem, but rather the symptom
or external manifestation, which greatly contributes to
perpetuating the situation.
100
What must remain very clear is that the vast majority of
our people, Don Alonso emphasizes, are good, capable
and hard working. Also, he says, addressing the Engi-
neer, Id need to be crazy to say not to help them. Indeed,
they should be given more help. You could almost say
that aid should be at the level of other countries we trade
with, in order to reach much higher production levels
and reduce dependency on many things such as corn.
But we would never be able to see that using the current
approach. Aid must not be subject to political consider-
ations or electoral preferences, or even inuenced by
pressure groups, but rather conditioned to productivity
and individualized results.
Now, he emphasizes, the specic design of a project in
that respect must not be the result of an action or idea of
a single person, but rather of a panel of true experts in
the eld, who leave political aspects and other interests
to one side.
I can assure you that in our country there are true farm-
ing and livestock professionals, who are as good as the
best in the world. I would only ask them for one thing,
which that they take off the paternalist clothing and in
its place look for better aid for farmers that is based on
productivity and personal effort.
Thats why I risked boring you with the background
I gave you a few minutes ago. You see, had the natural
stimuli that have motivated millions of Simons of past
centuries been removed, not only would the productiv-
ity of our hypothetical friend, Simon, and others have
been limited, but consumers would have been harmed
in passing, and many other things.
Believe me, if, with the proper assistance of experts,
we can redirect government aid and grant it on the
101
fundamental basis of results, we can be very pleasantly
surprised.
And so, yes, I can assure you that in forestry, green in-
dustry could reach its true potential, given that its highly
protable, but at the moment its very under-used.
The farming and livestock situation can be improved
in many respects by facilitating and simplifying already
existing means of nancing, and others that can be cre-
ated, to extend tax stimuli to that area, provide techni-
cal support and better varieties for sowing, guidance on
appropriate irrigation systems for each case and other
things, always maintaining criteria that strive to award
effort, hard work and higher proven productivity.

Some of those things, the engineer adds, are already
done.
Thats true, but they must be improved a great deal and
also, everyone must be informed of the mechanisms and
stimuli for helping green industry and, believe me, with
a different direction based on productivity, the results
could be surprising.
Let me warn you of something. This modication I pro-
pose could seem somewhat insignicant, but I ask that
you move it forward because Im sure that, were it to
be approved and implemented well, it could have a de-
cisive inuence on transforming lower productivity that
currently exists in some areas. The apparently harmless
change of approach can be transformed into one of the
keys for the transformation we want.
These are, esteemed gentlemen, Don Alonso states, by
way of conclusion, the three suggestions I would take
102
the liberty of making, and I think they can help improve
the forestry and agricultural situation concerning us.
Well, they are denitely interesting contributions, Gus-
tavo replies. I can see why my friend Miguel wanted us
to come here and talk with you.
I can assure you, Gustavo continues, that Im going to
communicate them at a later stage and lets trust that, if
not all of them, then a large part can be implemented.
But well see. Well put it on the table and itll be seri-
ously analyzed.
And once they are getting ready to leave the place, none
of those present notice that something curious is hap-
pening to Gustavos mood. But this is, in fact, totally
understandable. In a very short space of time, he has gone
through a huge contrast. Not only has he gone from the
hustle and bustle of the big city, but from something even
worsethe arid, treacherous atmosphere of politicsto
the frank, interesting dialog, accompanied by the oasis
of tranquility that only a place like this can provide.
Somehow, Gustavo feels that the almost magical af-
ternoon, contrary to what he thought at the start, has
meant for him an extraordinary oasis inside his conict-
ing activities. But that is about to end, since the sun has
predictably followed its set itinerary, acting impassively
and indifferently to earthly events.
One has the impression that the king of the sky, with its
offhand, determined behavior, is focused on fullling
its scheduled route and times, rather than on any other
profane matter. That impassive solar activity is perceived
by human eyes in a slight lowering in the luminosity of
the day.
103
If the surroundings could externalize any opinion, it
would surely interpret it as a subtle reminder that times
and hours should be respected accurately and clearly.
It is likely that this also inuences that intimate percep-
tion of Gustavo since, while they are gathering the little
equipment that is still around, he quietly thinks that he
may probably never spend another afternoon like this.
But very little, or nothing, can be done about it. On other
occasions, when he has wanted to preserve a certain mo-
ment, he has taken photos, but in this case he tells himself
he has enough. So, he only has one last, albeit fragile,
recourse: to tour all his surroundings with his eyes, try-
ing, if possible, not so much to keep, but to almost record
that impressive place in his memory.
104
105
CHAPTER VIII
A CONTROVERSIAL RETURN
That same discreet, quiet behavior that nature usually has
to make times and spaces be respected is back once more.
Though on this occasion, it is the suns turn to make a
slight signal and, as if it were making use of an invisible
but effective baton, by means of a slight reduction in
luminosity, indicates, with a certain dose of diplomacy,
the proximity of the end of what we call day.
That is why not only humans, but animal and even plants,
unconsciously perceive that this xed itinerary has been
established to be respected. Nevertheless, some elements
of creation are not only limited to faithfully observing
rhythms and hours, but give the impression that they are
almost celebrating it, as if it were the most splendid party.
They are entirely indifferent to the fact that, in the face of
the profane and offhand human gaze, many natural won-
ders take place totally unnoticed. And, as if not wanting
the same to happen, it is welcomed every morning with
effusive song from countless birds without the need for a
hidden agenda or any suggestion. Something similar hap-
pens when the day seems to have stealthily slipped away
from the scene, since that behavior has repeated itself.
This explains why, in fullling this mysterious protocol
or perhaps only a spontaneous act of gratitudewhen the
sun is about to quietly slip away from the scene, a large
amount of birds, as obedient as the most precise clock,
congregate in the leaest trees, where they break into
song that needs no score.
Though, as this small group walks back, rst towards
the ranch house, it seems that a multitude of birdsong
106
is not only addressing their special thanks to something
or someone on the universe, but also giving the impres-
sion that they are accompanying those four people, as
if wishing to say goodbye after their visit to this place.
But that only makes the feelings of nostalgia rise in Gus-
tavo, for whom a few hours of isolation at this almost
magical natural sanctuary has been enough to realize the
extraordinary transformation that can been made with
oft forgotten nature.
And in the mood to make the best use of these nal mo-
ments, Gustavo says to Don Alonso, Were grateful for
your time and suggestions, Don Alonso, and Ill make
good my promise to put forward these and other opinions
Ive received from well-intentioned people like you.
Lets trust, he replies, that something can be done.
And you dont need to thank me. Were grateful that you
accompanied us and listened to us because I also think
that not only us, but each citizen has opinions that must
be considered.
Theres something I cant understand, Gustavo adds. I
dont understand why some groups objected to the pro-
posals you made to improve the texts on civic awareness.
I must commend the excellent willingness, Don Alonso
emphasizes, of the then Minister and Deputy Minister
of Public Education in the late 1990s, but it was in other
areas that there seemed to be complete dim-wittedness.
However, I think what seemed more incomprehensible
can also be explained. The thing is that often we dont
see it.
Ill tell you quickly what I think happened. Those socio-
economic theories I told you about a while ago blindly
107
create class struggle to the letter in a kind of social
confrontation. And in fact, they can believe what they
want, but the bad thing is that when they try to impose
their criteria on something else, those theories are not
only based on conjecture and serious inaccuracies, but
are also obsolete due to being useless. But, theres still a
small, albeit radicalized, group that still exists.
How do you mean? I dont understand.
Its unbelievable, Don Alonso continues, but true.
Look, lets remember that when Marx went public with
his theories, even though many paid little attention to
him, with his very personal interpretation of history,
he judged that for social evolution, what was called the
dialectic of the class struggle should have taken place.
And when someone talks about something else, of a kind
of integration and complementariness to achieve devel-
opment in every respect, it automatically, albeit under
the table, crashes against its theories on ideological or
sociological grounds.
Let the record show that we are talking about very small,
but very radicalized groups that still move in some sec-
tors, including limited areas of education because, let
me clarify, the vast majority of people in this union are
extremely valuable elements and are convinced of the
great transcendence of their work.
I get the impression, the engineer interjects, that you
have also analyzed that phenomenon of socialism. Am
I right?
Well, Don Alonso replies, heres the thing. I, myself, in
my faraway youth, was a convinced socialist. At one time
I even thought about studying at a Russian university.
108
Good grief! I would never have imagined that, Gustavo
says. Then what happened?
I started to realize that those theories were not well
prepared. But oddly, that doubt made me delve more
deeply into the matter.
You see, most people who know about the matter have
studied two of Marxs works, one called The Communist
Manifesto and the other Das Kapital. My disappointment
started when I analyzed other works by him.
I have at least 19 works by this man published between
1837 to 1880, as well as six more that he wrote with
Frederick Engels, some published posthumously, such
as the second and third parts of Das Kapital.
And if, as we were saying, many focus on those two
works, they are missing out on knowing the full thoughts
of this man. He has other facets that are essential to
know.
The problem is it can happen to anyone, he assures
them. People discover that these kinds of considerations
were not well structured, no matter how profound the
social sense, which I thought they had, they supercially
seem to have.
Among other things, they will discover that this man,
though considered by some to be the very same father of
the workers had absolutely no sympathy for work at all,
and this is not a just an assumption, but was expressed
by him in his own words.
If anyone bothers to read one of his works called Eco-
nomic and Philosophical Manuscripts from 1844, they will
discover his very peculiar opinion on work. I tell you that
109
this work was unknown by many of his early followers,
such as Lenin, because it wasnt published until 1932
though, in any case, it was almost unknown.
Don Alonso stops here, as if remembering something,
making the others stop too.
Listen, lvaro, he says. I recall that a short time ago I
sent you that text by email. Do you by any chance have
that device you carry on your belt?
Let me see, lvaro replies. Ill tell you right away
That thinking, gentlemen, Don Alonso states, is totally
obsolete, but Ill tell you something as an interesting
tidbit. Hopefully our good friend lvaro has it there
Here it is, Don Alonso, lvaro says. I kept it because
I remember you recommended I read it and actually Id
forgotten.
Lets see if you can nd a little paragraph I underlined
for you. Its very short.
Here it is! Shall I read it out?
Please
lvaro reads out the passage word for word.
So what does the alienation of work consist of? Firstly,
that work is external to the worker, that is, it does not
belong to its being; that the worker in his job does not
state, but denies; he does not feel happy, but wretched;
he does not develop a free physical and spiritual energy,
but torments his body and ruins his spirit.
That is why the worker only feels himself outside of
work, and at work he feels outside of himself. He is in
110
himself when he does not work and when he works he
is not in himself. His work is, thus, not voluntary, but
forced; forced work. This is why it is not to satisfy a need,
but only a means to satisfy needs outside of work.
His odd character is clearly evidenced by the fact that,
as soon as a physical or any other kind of coaction does
not exist, he ees from work as if from the plague. Ex-
ternal work, the work in which man alienates himself,
is a work of self-sacrice, of asceticism.
Good grief, Gustavo says. So for this man work was
harmful or alienating, was it?
That is, in fact, how hes expressing it, with those very
same words, as an alienating element. And he doesnt
limit himself to labeling that transcendental part of hu-
man life and society thus, but also catalogs as alienating
issues such as Philosophy, God and the State.
However, Don Alonso says, to fully realize the magni-
tude of that nonsense and to see how it basically hung in
the air, lets see, supercially, what it led us to in practice.
By focusing on these theories, what happened with regard
to the release of the alienation of the State?
When they replaced the pattern they didnt nd an-
other more viable formula for the practical operation of
an economic entity than this one: that everything was
administered by the State. And that led precisely to the
opposite point from where they intended to arrive, to the
bureaucracy of bureaucracies where everyone becomes a
bureaucrat or an employee of a clumsy, inefcient super-
state managed by a minority who, to cap it all, will have
to drastically restrict freedom in order to guarantee it
stays in power.
111
What a great paradox. By eeing that imaginary alien-
ation of the State, they fell victim to a true and authen-
tic alienation. But the problem starts here because that
brings serious consequences, including the immediate
plummeting of productivity, which makes standards of
living vertically drop, which is aggravated, as we were
saying, by the fact that theres no more freedom.
I dont understand, Gustavo states. Was there no one
who declared this at that time to everyone?
Of course there were and many from the same principle,
but those propositions were especially tempting for some,
and it was the same force of the events that, decades later,
made them return to reality.
But in a few places, mostly underdeveloped countries
that have not experienced this, some surprisingly still
nd this kind of ideology viable.
Thats why, coming back to your question, Don Alonso
says, youll see why, without looking for it, theres an
ideological confrontation between the proposed idea of
social integration and the theory of the struggle, con-
frontation or divisionism under any pretext.
And rather evasivelybecause they dont even dare
show themselves to be Marxists due to the term having
been discreditedthey keep trying to encourage social
divisionism, because of apparent or fabricated issues.
So, youll see how the attempt has been made to en-
courage social divisionism, because of the habits and
customs of supposed differences in terms of skin color,
language, religion, or anything that seems credible.
The problem for them, Don Alonso maintains, is that
reality, science and history are not on their side. And
112
by way of a test before those who encourage division-
ism, basing themselves on supposed differences in skin
color or ethnicities, I can tell you that, thanks to recent
discoveries on the human genome map, it has been in-
controvertibly proven that all humans on the planet are
descended from the same genetic ancestor.
Let me tell you something that some people have sus-
pected throughout history, as was the case with Aristotle,
Hernando de Soto and many others. They thought that
all the external characteristics of human beings are no
more than the consequences of climate, food, life habits
and other circumstantial determining factors.
Well, that suspicion, thanks to the aforementioned
research and discoveries on the human genome map,
has become an irrefutable and incontrovertible scientic
truth.
I mean, once and for all we must open our eyes and
realize that were on the same team called the human
race, since what before was a suspicion of a few has now
become a certainty for all.
Though in reality, rather than a more evolved posture,
we could say that its a more real position, and not only
that. The ecological, education, food and other challenges
we face are so large that we can only be fully victorious
if we have a traditionalist perspective.
What could be more important to us? Coming back to
the case I cited: defending a social catechism of someone
who is actually hanging in the air? Or the true wellbeing
and development of all human beings?
Believe me, gentlemen, its not that we have several
options or alternatives in terms of social vision, just that
113
theres a route and its the route of authentic integration
to favor true development. My only fear is that we cant
take too long to nd this path because at this very mo-
ment, needs are growing more quickly that the ability
to deal with them, and the problems are ever greater.
With that, everyone is quiet, reecting on that singular
position they never expected to nd right in the middle of
nowhere, as Gustavo jokingly said to his friend Miguel.
Theres no doubt, Gustavo reects, that an idea like that
in the sociological eld could transform countless things,
but, he replied, only to himself, how can we implement
that from a political point of view? What reaction might
there by from other groups and parties? Those ideas are
too risky, he concludes. And their cost could be unpre-
dictable.
Id better not even mention that, Gustavo continues
mediating to himself. Let someone else do it. If I arrive
in Mexico City with those ideas, theyll think Im crazy
or gullible. Deep down, he admitted, I think this man is
right, but its not viable to express that from a political
platform. Thats the job of academia or social research.
With that, Don Alonso makes an observation to lvaro.
The wind is suddenly blowing from the north, though at
this time of year I dont think were going to have a frost.
But look, even the sky wants to clear away the clouds.
Its true, Don Alonso, but I also think that it wont freeze
and, in any case, were prepared. Everything is perfectly
irrigated and thatll help it somewhat to protect itself if
the cold does come in, but right now Im going to moni-
tor the thermometers.
114
The engineer, for his part, has another question in mind.
As the ranch house is already in sight, the point of fare-
well is getting closer. He has had some serious doubts
about the population issue for some time, and in truth
has not expressed them because his friend Gustavo had
asked him not to. But, as it seems they have already gotten
all the issues off their chests, he thinks the time is right.
Don Alonso, the engineer says. I have a few questions
on the population issue you talked about at the beginning.
Can I talk to you about them?
Sure, of course.
Faced with a look of expectation and surprise from
Gustavo and lvaro, the engineer starts setting out his
questions.
You told us a good while ago something that stayed in
my mind, or maybe I didnt understand it properly. You
said that family planning had become essential in order
to be able to achieve a better society. Am I right?
Youre correct, Miguel, Don Alonso replies in his typi-
cally slow voice. From my particular point of view, I
think that demographic planning will be a kind of neces-
sity in order to access a better society. And as I said a
while ago, though the population growth rate has fallen
in our country and in the world, it still has to fall a little
more because in several rural areas of the country and
other places it remains high.
You know, I have doubts about that. I regularly attend
Bible study courses and a while ago we discussed the
topic and the priest leading the class explained that what
you say is not possible because family planning using
articial means is prohibited by the Catholic Church.
115
And did he tell you why its prohibited?
Of course. He explained it was prohibited because it in-
volves an articial element and that the sexual act should
always be open to procreation.
You see, Miguel, I mean no offence to anyone, but Im go-
ing to expand a little more on my point of view. The truth
is that articial is in almost everything that surrounds us.
Telephones, cars, planes, glasses, houses, radios, tractors,
electricity, transport, everything is articial.
And it gets worse. The element that was responsible for
population growth taking off in the 20th century was a
completely articial element: medical advances that,
among other things, enabled the use of antibiotics. In
other words, the use of those articial advancesfortu-
natelycaused the extremely high infant mortality that
existed throughout human history and which prevented
the population from growing too quickly in previous
centuries, changed the panorama completely.
In other words, when this articial, albeit transcenden-
tal, medical advance came into play, it meant that in order
to balance population growth, planning became essential.
If we dont proceed thus, articially altering one of the
sides of the scales and not the other, the population will
growas has already happenedat a vertiginous rate,
which will cause the growth of more chaotic societies
with serious shortages and will put many things on the
planet at serious risk.
Well, yes, Don Alonso, but this goes against life and that
element must take precedence above all others.
I repeat, with all due respect, that what goes against life
is encouraging the advent of an unstable society because,
as I told you at the beginning, if, because of a high growth
116
rate, the population doubles in a very short period, that
same period of time is not enough to double the satis-
ers. What we have today would occur in any part of
the world, regardless of which party is in government.
The thing is, Don Alonso, that there are some very alarm-
ist people. You see, in the mid-1970s, when the countrys
population was around 56 million, the then President of
Mexico was scared and was told that if he didnt plan the
population, by 2000 it would be over 120 million. This
turned out to be a lie because in those years, at the end
of the millennium, it barely reached 100 million. Do you
see how they calculate wrongly and just scare people?
But, Miguel, its not that the demographers calcula-
tions were wrong. Of course, it could have reached that
gure and perhaps exceeded it if campaigns had not been
implemented in that respect.
And, Don Alonso adds, the current unstable situa-
tion could be much worse, like in some parts of Central
America. Because, you see, these campaigns did not reach
as many people there as they did in Mexico. If they had
not been successful here, wed have their levels of vio-
lencealmost three times as many homicides as here,
proportionally speaking, along with very serious social
neglect.
Observe the contrast, Miguel. Now that were talking
about Central America, the countries that were left un-
touched by this chaos were places like Costa Rica because
these campaigns worked better there, a factor that greatly
helped increase the level of scholarity. And I invite you
to analyze the different situation they have there.
Gustavo and lvaro are undaunted by the engineers un-
expected statement. At the start, Gustavo thought about
117
interjecting because the turn this controversial topic was
taking made him feel a little sorry for Don Alonso, but
he immediately changed his mind, considering that both
had the ability in spades to stand up for their respective,
albeit, controversial positions. And something more could
even be learned from it so he opts to prudently keep quiet.
Those who obstruct life, the engineer states, are like
abortionists who participate in murder
No, Miguel, Don Alonso argues. Its not like that. Abor-
tion, from my particular point of view, clearly constitutes
a criminal act, because it is depriving a human being of
life, but in the case of prevention, the situation is differ-
ent, and Ill tell you why.
There are two cells of the organism that each carry half
the chromosomes: the male sperm and the female egg.
And its precisely both these elements that join or comple-
ment each other. Thats something else, and I repeat, its
a process that, from there, must not be stopped.
But, Don Alonso
If I may just nish my idea, and you can tell me what
you think immediately after.
Nor can we not consider, Don Alonso continues, that
what drives many desperate mothers to go through the
false door of abortion which, I insist, is a reprehensible
act, is the possiblity of dealing with an unwanted child
who is, in most cases, the consequence of a lack of in-
formation and family planning.
And here comes the great paradox, Don Alonso under-
lines. The indirect causes of the hundreds of thousands
of clandestine abortions in our country each year, and of
the millions in the world, are mostly attributable to the
118
defenders of life because by opposing the diffusion of
ideas relating to family planning and the use of methods
they consider articial, they have a powerful inuence
over the growth of this kind of illegal act.
I dont want to create controversy, Don Alonso, the
engineer maintains, but Ill always defend life.
Well, those of us who promote responsible paternity
arent against life. On the contrary, human life is so valu-
able that it has to be given its due importance and we
must create the possibility of a dignied and full life for
all children who come into the world.
Do you have any idea, Miguel, of the number of dead
children in the countries with the highest population
growth, where the conditions are very far from ideal?
Well, I dont know, but I imagine it must be high.
At the moment, around six million children die each year,
a situation that contrasts completely with the segment of
the world that is considered to be developed, where the
population grows at a stable rate.
You can tell me many things, Don Alonso, but Im al-
ready familiar with several countries in the world that
have a large population and do very well.
We must, Miguel, make a very important distinction.
One thing is high population density, which is not at all
dangerous, like in Japan and several other places, and
another completely different situation is to have a high
population growth rate. The harmful one is the second
because population doubles, as I said, in very short peri-
ods and not being able to double the satisers at this rate
brings injustices and very serious problems.
119
Furthermore, Don Alonso, Im recalling another problem
with what you suggest. If the population is planned, the
country gets older. What do you say to that?
Look, the people opposing demographic planning have
opted not to confront arguments such as those I have
mentioned, and instead subliminally try to diffuse other
ideas with very peculiar focus, effectively managing
to confuse many. One of these is the supposed ageing
population. If I may, Ill tell you what I think about this.
When we talk about the average age of the population,
that is, a kind of mean of ages of all the inhabitants of a
country, the desirable and logical thing would be that in
a stable societywhich we should belong to long-term
average age is around half of life expectancy. And if
a country, for instance, has a life expectancy of 82, the
normal average age would be around 41, so that one half
would be younger than that age and the other half older.
That, my esteemed Miguel, would be something com-
pletely normal or logical. But the odd thing is how some
handle it. Listen to this:
According to the last population census, which is con-
ducted every 10 years, the average age in our country
was 26 and, according to other sources, 27, but a decade
or so ago that average was 24. Headlines were rushed
out to show thatpresenting it as a negative thingthe
country is getting older, when the truth is that we are
barely getting close to the desirable age.
Those arguments do not really convince me, Don
Alonso, but on the other hand, what does sound logical
to me is that when the average age rises, the percentage
of dependents or old people increases. And you cant
deny that.
120
It must be said, Miguel, Don Alonso says with a smile,
that Im contradicting you in everything, but look, when
the average age rises, even though the number of people
in the over-65 segment obviously increases, the total per-
centage of dependents falls because, remember, the total
dependent percentage of a country is not just made up
of people over 65, but also of those from 0 to 15.
Let me put these specic cases to you. If we observe
the countries or continents with a higher dependent
population, well discover that theyre surprisingly those
with the youngest population.
Look at what happens, he continues, for instance, in
Africa, which is the continent with the lowest age, that
is, whose population is the youngest on the planet, since
its average age barely rises over 20.
Only 4% of its population is over 65, but you see, 41%
is between 0 and 15, which means that precisely the op-
posite of what those who promote the ageing population
theory assume will happen, does indeed happen, since
the facts show that where the population is youngest, the
dependence percentage rises.
Now, says Don Alonso, observe what happens in the
continent where the average age is the highest in the
world, which is Europe, since its average age is almost
40. Its true that it has a greater percentage of population
over 65 (16 %) which, if you add it to the percentage of
population from 0 to 15 (16 %), gives a dependent total
in Europe of 32%.
Compare, Miguel, a dependent percentage in Africa of 45%
with 32% in Europe. I dont know how you might interpret
that, but I think that the arithmetic itself shows us that the
desirable thing is what I suggest: have stable growth.
121
And to return to your question, Miguel, its not enough
to just be aware that exactly the opposite of what some
fear is happening. The truly important thing about the
matter is not limited to mere statistical percentages, but
rather that this enables, in practice, the use of many
more resources in education, research, housing, medical
services, infrastructure and countless necessary things.
Furthermore, Miguel, Don Alonso adds, as if remem-
bering another piece of information, now Im realizing
that my calculation actually falls short because were
making a mistake by considering the over-65 segment as
necessarily dependent.
But, what do you mean? Age takes its toll, Don Alonso
True, but Im going to suggest it from two points of view.
First, Ill give you an example of something that happened
to us right here and then, if I may, Ill explain it from a
statistical point of view.
First the example of what happened here Do you re-
member, lvaro, when we had a problem with the water
distribution network in that area behind that hill, where
we couldnt get the pressure we needed?
Oh yes, I remember, but we solved it.
Yes, of course, we solved it, but what I want to tell
Miguel is how we solved it.
You see, Miguel, we called two specialists to get and
evaluate their suggestions. One was Juan, who was
around 30, and the other was Don Jacobo, who at that
time was around 75.
Juan proposed an incredibly complicated solution, which
almost involved removing the existing network and put-
122
ting down a new one. By contrast, Jacobo, with much
more experience and in a matter of minutes gave us the
appropriate solution at less than a tenth of the cost. And
its not that Juan was not capable, but Jacobo had a whole
lifes experience and the solution he proposed ended up
being the quickest and most effective.
But, do you know what catches my attention now?
That Jacobo, statistically speaking, is already in the de-
pendent sector and, believe me, you cant imagine how
valuable his experience is because hes helped us with
other things. Do you agree, lvaro?
Completely. Its a shame you havent met him, Miguel.
He visits us sometimes. Maybe hell come when youre
here and Ill introduce you.
Well, yes the engineer argues, but I insist, the years
weigh down on us.
Whats more, Don Alonso repeats, I, myself, am al-
ready considered to be in that segment and I think I still
have a lot to do out there But, according to what you
say, Im already in that dependent sector.
Now, let me make a suggestion, Don Alonso continues,
from a merely statistical perspective.
When they established that age as the fateful age limit,
life expectancy was lower and, you do know what hap-
pened? As the years passed, life expectancy fortunately
increased, but old age or even the retirement age in some
countries didnt change and in others wasnt adjusted
proportionally to the increased life expectancy.
Well, here in our country, they did make some adjust-
ments in this respect.
123
Some adjustments, as you said, but not in proportion
to how life expectancy increases and especially not in
all sectors because there are still groups, such as civil
servants, whose retirement age wasnt changed for a
number of reasons, which did not happen in every coun-
try. Furthermore, let me just tell you this based on the
arguments you put forward, so you can see that theres
a certain inaccuracy in terms of the perception of the
dependence limit.
What happens, Miguel, is that it projects a false impres-
sion that this elderly segment is growing abnormally,
when what was needed was to appropriately adjust the
age limit, according to a changing socio-demographic
prole. This has endless consequences, one of which is
that each day there will be more people who spend more
time retired, than those who keep working.
Do you realize, Miguel, the scope of that neglect?
Well, yes
I think we should analyze the consequences a little
more, not just from a statistical perspective, which can
give us all an inaccurate view by producing that false
impression that I mentioned of a growing segment of
old people. Thats the least of it. The most serious thing
is the following:
Mistakenly leaving the retirement age unchangedor
not adjusting it sufciently in other countriesmeans
that, on the one hand, an extremely important percent-
age of the population is being wasted in exactly one of
the most valuable stages, when they have accumulated
more experience and still have huge potentialas in the
case of Don Jacobo. Furthermore, the added burden from
pensions will become unsustainable, I can assure you.
124
It would seem, Miguel, unbelievable to many that ev-
erything you mentioned happened due to seemingly in-
signicant neglect, but if we analyze things a little more,
well see that this adjustment was essential And the
fact that old age was not gradually and proportionally
moved has repercussions in countless things.
I mean, Don Alonso adds in conclusion, the scope
of that which is apparently so simple is three-fold: one:
statistically, which is the least serious, though also im-
portant; two: a vast human potential still with so much
ability and a very valuable accumulated experience is
stupidly wasted; and three: the pensions burden will
become unpayable. And all because this adjustment was
not made at the right time.
However, the mistake was not so much from a demo-
graphic point of view, and furthermore, a correction
statistically speakingof this kind cannot feasibly be
implemented unilaterally by a single country because
international data collection is carried out according to
globally determined standardized parameters. The perti-
nent statistical adjustment must come from a world body.
But, Don Alonso, Gustavo interjects, albeit rather qui-
etly, but still very attentive to the topic, why do you say
that the mistake was not primarily demographic?
The mistake, or neglect or whatever you want to call it,
he replies, was made from a political point of view since,
in the past, many of the worlds governments, Im sure,
were well awarethey had very capable advisorsof
the gradual, albeit, imperceptible variation in the socio-
demographic prole, which obligated them to carry out
the aforementioned adjustments, but they most likely
didnt want to confront its political cost and preferred to
leave it to the next generation, and so on.
125
But, he continues, you cant pass the ball indenitely.
Were close to breaking point and though these things
are almost never spoken of, its a matter well have to
face. And if it continues to be deferred, the snowball will
keep growing.
That, Don Alonso says, is what I think is happening.
Though he has tried to stay out of this discussion, Gustavo
realizes perfectly well that Don Alonso is sufciently in-
volved in the topic and the arguments of his friend, Miguel,
are not well structured, so he says, Excuse me, Miguel, I
think Don Alonsos right. And, whats more, its going to
get dark very soon.
Okay, thats ne, Gustavo, the engineer replies. Just
tell me, Don Alonso. What would you do about the age-
ing issue?
You know, Miguel, Im no good at political questions,
but the solution, not only on that topic, but on any topic,
will be to tell it like it is. Pertinent adjustments have to
be made. Old age has to be raised proportionally. First
of all, so that it reects the reality, and I myself at retire-
ment age, according to how life expectancy has increased,
dont see any other alternative.
Any countrys government, Gustavo interjects, is un-
likely to want to face the implementation of a measure
like that because, as you say, the mere announcement of
it will likely reduce popular acceptance.
I disagree slightly, Don Alonso says. It all depends
on how the matter is implemented. We cannot, gentle-
men, keep treating people like children. Citizens react
responsibly when we have been able to generate trust
and expose them to things as they are, therefore, Im in
126
favor of implementing this since, if we dont proceed
thus, the situation will become unsustainable, exposing
the full panorama.
Come on, Don Alonso! Gustavo exclaims. Remember
that in politics not everyone plays clean and people are
only interested in winning the election. Even if they
make promises they know perfectly well arent viable,
they know that many people are not well informed and
will support them.
Im unaware of that phenomenon, but thats the risk
in a democracy. Hence the great importance of having
sufcient political skill to implement things clearly and
convincingly in order to incentivize citizens to support
what is sustainable by making them all see that a pros-
perous society will favor everyone.
Thats precisely why I said, Don Alonso told with a
smile, that Im no good at politics because I think that
options must be put on the table and that the population
makes the decision by voting. If we sidestep the issue and
take the easy path, which is to keep quiet, or even worse,
promise the impossible, as demagogues and populists do,
society will realize in time and that political price they
didnt want to pay will hit them much harder.
Now Im the one whos contradicting Don Alonso,
Miguel interjects. There are ever more people suffer-
ing the consequences of chronic degenerative diseases,
such as diabetes, arterial hypertension, heart disease,
diabetic blindness, renal damage and a whole multitude
of things. How can we even think about suggesting that
the retirement age be adjusted in this way if health is
failing more each day.
What you say is true, though that has another cause
and solutions that must also be faced before its too late.
127
Industrial food and drink manufacturers have for de-
cades been allowed, with the hidden agenda of increas-
ing their sales and prots, to sweeten almost everything
they make. And even though theyve achieved their goal,
they saturated citizens with a very high amount of sugar
and rened ours, which is creating another terrifying
time bomb.
But, I insist, thats another problem with other causes
and solutions. Let me tell you that when I had the great
honor of forming part of the National Academic Council
of a very prestigious scientic and cultural society in
Mexico City, I made signicant indications in that respect,
which were published.
However, such are the powers of advertising and persua-
sion acquired by junk food manufacturerswith consum-
ers own moneythat they rolled over every medical and
scientic argument that was put forward with the force
of a steam roller.
While they are standing discussing this barely 300 feet
from the house, Benjamn looks at them strangely from
afar. The engineer seems to recognize that the demo-
graphic arguments set out by Don Alonso are solid, there-
fore, still insisting on his theory, he decides to modify
his argument.
You will not dispute, Don Alonso, that we must always
be respectful of a certain authority. In this case, I think
we should respect the authority of Father Francisco, who
leads the Bible study group I belong to and told us what
I have said to you. Do you agree?
Its good to be respectful, Miguel, he states calmly, but
lets remember that absolutely all human beings, without
exception, are subject to errors and, in this case, those
128
who support the theory you mentioned are wrong and
that brings serious consequences for everyone.
Perhaps thats why, Don Alonso continues, and this
can be veried in the Gospel according to St. Mathew,
Chapter 23, Verse 9, Jesus Christ himself warns us about
not dominating anyone on earth over others. Youre tak-
ing Bible study courses and Id ask you to read what Ive
just quoted and even mention it to Father Francisco. Of,
if you prefer, bring him here to talk with me.
And, whats more, since the Christian movement wasnt
born yesterday, but that been in existence for around 20
centuries, it would be better to analyze what has hap-
pened throughout history. What has happened? Have
people never made mistakes? Can we have blind trust
in people?
The truth is that its not just the Catholic Church that
can make mistakes. Any church can, given that human
beings tend to do this. The only one who doesnt make
mistakes is God, and thats why its important to follow
his word.
And, as you already have to go, Don Alonso says, so you
can at least be on the highway before nightfall, Ill quickly
tell you just two curious cases that illustrate my point.
When the lightning rod was invented in the 18th century,
there was no shortage of priests who assured us that this
invention was articial and would openly interfere with
the will of God. They said that if he wanted lightning to
fall on a certain person or thing, this new gadget would
impede this, and was in opposition to the Creator.
Despite certain opposition, many lightning rods were
installed. At that time, there was a ood in Lisbon and
129
there was no shortage of people who pointed out that this
was a direct punishment from God for having installed
lightning rods.
Nevertheless, a short time ago, lightning struck the Vati-
can, whose dome fortunately has a lightning rod. Had
it not had one, the dome would most likely have fallen
from the force of the electrical discharge.
Look at this other case, he adds. When anesthesia was
invented, which was rst used in dentistry and later on
women in labor, there were plenty of people who pointed
out that it was prohibited by God.
Good grief! Whys that?
Some said that in the Book of Genesis, the rst book of
the Bible, God said to Eve: You will give birth to your
sons in pain, meaning, therefore, that anesthesia was
prohibited. But at that time, Queen Victoria of England
was about to have another child and ignored that obser-
vation, telling her doctors to use it on her. From then
on, the priests who opposed it did not make any further
objections.
This doesnt mean Im attacking the Church, Im just
saying, Miguel, that surely for that reason, Jesus Christ
himself, knowing that humans can make mistakes, said
we shouldnt let anyone dominate over others.
With that, Gustavo interjects. He thinks that not only is
the position of his friend, Miguel, very fragile, but that in
reality, they will barely reach the minivan before nightfall.
Don Alonso, Gustavo says. We are innitely grate-
ful for such a pleasant and interesting day, but time is
pressing.
130
As I was saying, Im the one whos grateful. Its been
a pleasure speaking with you. And Miguel, excuse my
different point of view, but its what I think and, since I
stick to my convictions, I had to express myself.
No problem, Don Alonso. We all expressed our own
opinion.
Don Alonso embraces each one and says, lvaro, my
dear friend, can you escort them to the minivan? Joaqun
has gone and the gate is surely closed. Please, take ash-
light in case its dark when you come back.
Of course, Don Alonso.
Bye, gentlemen, and thank you. Have a safe journey.
Thank you to you and lvaro for your time and company.
Oh, and tell Doa Ofelia that her food was extraordinary.
Ill tell her
131
CHAPTER IX
THE DIFFERENCES INCREASE
In reality, not so many hours have passed since these two
unexpected visitors arrived at El Encinal Ranch, and now
they are about to leave.
Miguel, due to the difference of opinion he has had with
Don Alonso, which caused him to feel a little uncomfort-
able, is almost pleased to leave. The truth is he never
imagined he could have such a difference of opinion with
Don Alonso, since he has always considered him very
balanced in his opinions.
In contrast, the situation is different for Gustavo. He
is sorry to have to leave and he himself cannot explain
whether it is due to the intensity of the conversation, Don
Alonsos unique personality, or having been immersed
for several hours in those almost magical surroundings,
but Gustavo has the feeling that part of him is going to
stay there.
And it almost seems that the surroundings are conspir-
ing to accentuate that feeling, since nature, in a kind of
invisible but harmless prank, with a simple change in
wind direction, has removed the entire white cotton wool
rug that was hiding the heavens leaving a magnicent,
completely clear sky, which, as the minutes rush by and
the day is ending, is changing its color to an ever more
intense blue.
As if this were not enough, a large number of birds that
have congregated in the large trees on the path think that
the change in wind direction not only does not represent
any impediment to continuing their party, but on the
132
contrary, because they guess that if nature makes that
decision, it will have many reasons for doing so, therefore,
they feel they only have one viable option: they have to
celebrate more loudly.
And while members of an orchestra might be disheart-
ened to play to an almost empty auditorium, the birds do
not mind at all that only three pensive people hear their
songs. It would not matter if there were no one. Their
joyful songs would still be released to the four winds.
And as for the indifferent attitude of the birds to the,
at times, disconcerting conduct of those three persons,
perhaps they have only become more tolerant, and have
gotten used to the ever vain human desires, their com-
ing and going as fast as the wind, only to then return to
the same point they occupied earlier. So, it is better to
ignore them.
Nevertheless, if mundane desires mean nothing to the
other members of nature, we can, as a merely curious
observation, delve a little deeper into the dialog that is
developing between those three people.
Theres no doubt, Miguel, Gustavo says with great
conviction, that coming here has been interesting and, if
Im honest, at the start I thought it would just be a waste
of time. What I still cant nd is the way to incorporate
everything we talked about into a compact, interesting
report and, whats more, I confess I dont know up to
what point this can be implemented politically.
Well, in my case, Miguel adds, I dont think I was very
convinced about the demographic issue. I still have my
doubts.
Gustavo and lvaro look at each other with an expression
of amazement at what Miguel is saying.
133
Miguel, while I dont know up to what point the other
opinions he gave us can be applied, the gentleman is right
in regard to demographics. If we dont sort this out, none
of the other things will be able to be solved. I know what
Im talking about
Perhaps, Miguel replies. But there are other things that
are more important.
What is your main doubt? lvaro interjects.
My disagreement stems, he replies quickly, from the
approach you take with the matter. By way of an example,
you say that population growth in Europe is reasonable,
when I think that this is why they have so many problems
at the moment
I think thats incorrect, Miguel, lvaro says. The prob-
lems in Europe have other causes. You see, as we have
so much more time here, I have spoken a lot about this
with Don Alonso and, if you like, I can tell you something
about this
Good grief! Gustavo adds. Why are you studying that
issue?
Because, he adds, Don Alonsos successor at the scien-
tic and cultural society he belonged to when he formed
part of the National Academic Council calls him regularly
by phone and as there is data and internet programs he
doesnt know how to use, he asks me to help him and
then we often talk about it.
Gustavowithout saying itis ever more convinced
that the progress of communications, as they said at the
start, is leading to an amazing transformation in the dif-
fusion of knowledge and information technology, since
now, in all corners of the globe, whoever has the means
134
and especially the desire to nd out more about these
things can do so. So, making use of the little time they
have left to get to the minivan, Gustavo says to lvaro,
Now, lvaro, what do you think about what Europe is
currently experiencing?
In my opinion, its a product of different factors, and
though we dont have much time left, I could briey talk
to you about some of them.
First, he states, is the population element, but not in
the way that Miguel thinksthat its affected by its stable
demographic growthbut rather
But of course it is! Miguel interjects. There are coun-
tries like Germany and others that dont even grow
If I may, Miguel, its not like that. Look, its true that in
Europe there are some countries that dont grow. But,
as a whole, the European Community has around 5.5
million births and around 5 million deaths a year, in
other words, it grows by half a million per year. But the
problem doesnt stem from that.
The problem is the opposite. Excuse me, lvaro says,
as he stops a moment to consult an electronic device he
carries on his belt. Let me access some data I have here.
Just a second
Gustavo and Miguel observe the technological advances
while they wait a little
Here it is! lvaro says. Look, though Europe has stable
population growth, it is located next to the continent
with the highest demographic growth rate in the world,
which is Africa, where each yearaccording to data from
2011there are around 40 million births and 13 million
135
deaths, that is, the population grows by 27 million a year.
Plus, a non-quantiable percentage of the population is
crossing the Mediterranean in increasing numbers, since
they cant nd opportunities in their countries for the
reasons Don Alonso pointed out a while ago.
In Asia, let me see, lvaro says, there are around 76
million births and 30 million deaths, which is a net annual
growth of 46 million. And a certain percentage, albeit
much lower than that of Africa, also ends up in Europe,
due to the enormous difference in living standards.
But inside this added population segment, many are
not even part of the work force of the region and there
is endless demand for education, medical and other ser-
vices, which represents a signicant cost for the European
Community.
That, in addition to everything, is slowly, but inexorably
changing the ethnic composition of the region. But thats
the least of it, because at the end of the day, we must all
consider ourselves on the same team. However, for the
purposes of this analysis, an undeniable related conict
is being created. But, I will continue with what I consider
to be the other elements it has against it.
European integration has not been carried out in the
best possible way, since as an important lady in German
politics described: We started to build the house from
the top. And now it has different economic and social
policies, which cause regional conicts that have reper-
cussions on others, and in most cases it will be very hard
to be truly integrated through common rules. I trust they
will manage to do it.
Another problem, lvaro adds, is that there are
countries in the Community that, as we said a while
136
ago, havent adjusted their retirement age to the same
percentage to t in with how life expectancy has risen,
and now theyre facing astronomical gures for pensions
which, by not making the pertinent adjustment, will
become unmanageable, an experience from which we
must learn.
As if that were not enough, there are European coun-
tries that surprisingly still have a certain percentage of
their economy run by state companies. When those en-
tities dont create successful partnerships with private
companies, their efciency level is lower, reducing the
countrys economic vigor, which then has repercussions
on the entire zone of inuence.
And another thing, lvaro continues, to top it all, their
currency level, I feel, is a little high, a factor that con-
tributes to the cheapening of imports and makes their
exports more expensive, which are elements that do not
only drain their economic resources outwards but also
increase internal unemployment.
Thats why youll understand, he continues, why other
high exporting countries are more concerned when their
currency rises than when it falls, since they realize
very well that they lose competitivity.
I didnt think, Gustavo says, that currency level was
so inuential.
Of course its inuential, very much so. Ill give you a very
simple example. On one of my trips to promote avocado
sales, I wanted to buy a cap at a German airport, but I
didnt because it cost almost 700 pesos. Conversely, I got a
similar one in South East Asia for a little over 100 pesos.
It inuences, he continues, many things, even tax
policy and other elements, one of which is the value of
137
the currency itself, and I feel the Euro is a little high,
which doesnt help them either.
There are countless other things, lvaro says that are
limiting the region, but what you say, Miguel, with all due
respect, doesnt limit it at all. Indeed, stable population
growth must become, in the medium term, a reality of
all countries in the world, since it will bring a suitable
and important increase in human development indices.
The engineer is pensive and adds, I dont agree, lvaro.
I was told, Miguel says that when the number of chil-
dren per woman drops to 2.1 in a country, the population
falls
That was the commonly held belief some time ago, but
the facts proved that it doesnt happen like that. Look at
the case of the European Community, with the number
of children much lower than what you say, 1.6 on aver-
age, the population still grows by almost half a million
per year. And even worse, China has an average of 1.5
children per woman and its population keeps growing by
around 7 million per year. Let me clarify something: with
fewer children per woman than Europe, Chinas popu-
lation grows more because both its population pyramid
and the total number of inhabitants are very different.
Furthermore, lvaro adds, I dont know the true cause
of your concern, because you see, if at a certain point
in the future, in the remote case that it were estimated
that the population should rise by a few tenths of a point
of the number of children per woman, as has already
happened during certain periods, such as after wars, the
situation reverses. But right now we face challenges that
put the planet at risk, and this is the only way we can
move forward, believe me.
138
An even worse scenario, Miguel, lvaro emphasizes.
Even in the remote case that you didnt believe it was
viable to stabilize the worlds population at 7 billion,
we would still have problems, since with respect to the
ecological balance were near the limit in several senses.
But why? Miguel replies. If the greatest population
growth is taking place in regions where energy needs
are lowest. And dont tell me any more of your stories.
But, Miguel, lvaro replies, consider that to be related
or temporary, since said lower energy consumption per
inhabitant is lower for the time being, but that doesnt
mean that a person from Central Africa pollutes less be-
cause he is more responsible than someone in Europe, for
example. The thing is that for now, Africans and others
dont have many cars, electrical appliances or countless
other things. But, their legitimate aspiration is to have all
those things, which will happen as their income rises.
To give you a better example, Miguel, Ill tell you about
another case. In 2010 there were around 14 cars for every
100 inhabitants on average on the planet. But while there
are countries that have between 80 and 90 cars for every
100 inhabitantsthe most developedthere are others
where the average is very low.
But this doesnt happen like that because they are more
ecological, but rather because, for now, they cant do it.
Look at what happened in China once the standard of
living rose; many replaced their bicycle with a car and
now its the country with the most cars on the planet,
and if it keeps developing as it is, the number of cars in
that nation alone will be unimaginable.
Thats why, Miguel, some analysts get confused when
they dont interrelate changing factors. Let me ask you
139
a question, just as a mental exercise. Lets assumeand
I dont think this is viablethat we manage to stabilize
the population at 7 billion, and now lets suppose that,
as the world economic income level rises, the average
number of cars for every 100 inhabitants rises, lets say
to 40. Might we have any idea of the amount of energy
required to move them? The amount of pollution gener-
ated? The number of highways needed for them?
Now, Miguel, lvaro continues in his mental exercise,
Lets imagine these two changing elements interacting
jointly. Lets assume that the population is not stabilized
at 7 billion, which is the most likely outcome and, at the
same time, the number of cars for every 100 inhabitants
keeps rising. What would logically happen? Are we ca-
pable of realizing what that means?
Well, but there are ecological ways of producing energy.
I trust that a change is being produced, but remember
that even producing those ecological complements con-
sumes energy, too, and its not just the energy needed for
cars, but for all other elements of modern life, to which
every citizen of the planet has a legitimate right to aspire.
Furthermore, Miguel, I repeat that the problems can-
not grow more quickly than the ability to solve them.
Remember that most conicts are born from that. If, at
a certain time, we were sufciently effective in solving
the monumental challenges we face, as I was saying, a
very slight increase in population growth would x it.
But to do it the other way round, as you suggest, would
put the stability of the planet at risk, and that would be
extremely irresponsible.
Does that that convince you more, Miguel? Gustavo
says.
140
Well, a little, but dont forget that each new inhabitant
of the word, even though it has a mouth, also has two
arms to work
I completely agree, lvaro replies. But dont forget that
any good thing can turn into something bad if it hap-
pens more quickly than we want it to. And with regard
to the population, believe me, this is where we mustnt
make mistakes because it affects human life.
And while the engineer is left thinking, lvaro adds,
Listen, Miguel. So you have a more complete idea of
what it would mean to continue as we are now, Ill tell
you this: on one occasion, with a program I have, I made
Don Alonso a mathematical projection up to the year
2200 of the total number of inhabitants that would be
living on the planet by that date using exactly the same
percentages from 2010: a growth rate of 1.2 per cent and
a world average of children per woman of 2.5. Do you
know how many people there would be by 2200 if we
were to continue growing as we are?
Dont tell me any more of your stories, lvaro, you know
the growth rate is going to fall in the coming decades
Well, yes, it would fall because it is assumed that ever
more people will be convinced of what Im now saying.
But if that were not the case and most thought like you,
it would not fall.
But, I was saying, Miguel. According to that mathemati-
cal projection, if we were to continue at the same growth
rate of 2010, the population would go from almost 7 bil-
lion to 66 billion by 2200. Obviously, the balance of the
planet would be completely broken a long time before,
within a few decades.
Thats why, lvaro continues, and pardon me for con-
tradicting you, the question isnt so much whether the
141
population should be planned or not, but rather whether
this will occur whether we still have time to do it.
The best way to take care of life, as both you and Father
Francisco say, Miguel, is by favoring the advent of har-
monious societies that offer for centuriesas long as God
allowsthe ability for all human beings on the planet to
have the satisers not only for a dignied life, but also to
move forward with their potential. The rest is just words
oating in the wind, and are even counterproductive for
the life of the planet and its inhabitants.
With that, they see the minivan with Juan waiting for
them, so Gustavo, on noticing that his current interlocuter
also had very clear ideas on several things, tries to make
the most of his time until the very last minute and says,
Well, I think, Gustavo says resignedly, that the day ew
by and just for my personal curiosity, I have one nal
question. You, who have such particular ideas, tell me
as concisely as you can, now that you are talking about
Europe, what do you think Don Alonso or you could do
there to improve things a little?
As I have said, this unstable situation is a product of
several factors combined, but to answer your question,
I will only talk about the economy.
Don Alonso says, and I think hes right, that in all eras
of history, though we humans have been at the same
pinnacle of knowledge, the truth is that we always, and
right now, have a lot to learn about all sciences, includ-
ing, of course, Economics.
And its essential, lvaro maintains, and I agree with
him, to advance a great deal more, which well only
achieve precisely when we can increase general education
quite a bit more so that research capacity develops as it
142
should. This is the only way well advance the extraor-
dinary human potential, which right now, as it always
has been, is being wasted.
As Don Alonso mentioned a while ago, the people who
historically have been able to take advantage of part of
their capacity is an insignicant percentage, which con-
stitutes the biggest mistake or crime committed by the
human race.
And, by way of an example, Economics, due to its limited
advance or evolution, is limiting its potential by putting
human beings at the service of an economy that has not
sufciently evolved. What should be happening is that
the economy is at the service of unmet human needs
because, believe me, as long they exist or there is paltry
development or unemployment, the economy is not do-
ing its job properly.
And, according to you, what could be done?
Public investment must be channeled or adjusted in
this direction, rst to satisfy said shortages and then to
give the entire population the work it deserves and the
means to support itself.
What do you mean, my dear lvaro? Gustavo says,
intrigued. That sounds like something one of those
economists called Keynes talked about, who mentioned
the importance of achieving, among other things, full
employment.
Since you mention this economist, lvaro says, allow
me to describe what, in my opinion, happened.
That economist was good, amongst others that existed
such as Adam Smith, David Ricardo and several more.
143
Unfortunately, in Latin America, Keynes acquired a bad
reputation, given that many of his theories were applied
disastrously due to the particular ideology of whoever
implemented them.
Now, explains that to us.
The aim was, lvaro adds, to use those economic
theories to make a kind of amalgam with some theories
that had been proven not to work. You could say that
it was one of the worst possible ways they could have
been applied.
And how do you know about that?
Well, I dont know if I told you, but my degree is in
Economics And he continues.
And, as I said, what some nations did, primarily in Latin
America, including unfortunately Mexico from 1970 to
1982, was precisely that. They increased state interven-
tionism in the economy to then increase public spending
through the state-owned sector. But, you know, even that
gigantic error serves as an extraordinary lesson to evalu-
ate what was done well and badly.
That state-owned experience, he adds, combined with
an attempted increase in demand through a terrible ap-
plication of Keynesianism was one of the best recipes for
disaster. Why? The public company has shown itself to
be inefcient and incapable of even reimbursing the trea-
sure or society with the amount equivalent to what was
invested in it. And in Mexicos case, had we continued
along that road, we would have been heading towards a
disaster of colossal proportions.
Fortunately, from 1982, the same government, still with
an ideology similar to that of those responsible for this
144
disaster, eventually realized that the extremely high levels
of internal and external debt were pointing to a public
sector decit, unbridled ination, devaluations and other
problems, and decided to change course.
Faced with these undeniable results, they realized that
those theories didnt work and faced with the risk of
confronting radical groups within their own party, many
of whom had even separated from the political group and
founded another one, they decided to drastically change
the course.
But this change couldnt be made suddenly. It had to be
done gradually, and it wasnt until the early 1990s that
state interventionism in Mexico was coming to an end.
Im telling you all this, gentlemen, because, as I was
saying, we have here an extremely valuable experience,
from which we must take both the good and the bad and
learn in order to avoid ending up in similar situations.
And one of the conclusions would be that we cant have
extremes, that is, the State should participate in public
investment, but not in the disastrous way it did during
that period.
lvaro, Gustavo says, you mentioned the good part of
that experience. What was it?
The good part of those decades was that Mexico expe-
rienced extremely outstanding economic development
a little before 1970, which was recognized world-wide.
For many years we had sustained economic growth of 7
percent, ination of less than that of our trade partners,
almost zero debt and a solid currency. Thats why in the
international nancial eld, they talk about the Mexican
miracle.
145
I dont understand, Gustavo replies. Why did all that
change?
Because of a simple wrong diagnosis by the political
leaders of that time; its that simple. They evaluatedvery
lightly, and inuenced by their particular ideologythat
despite this exemplary economic growth, there were still
very marginalized sectors and they thought that what was
wrong, according to them, was the economic system
since they stated that it was obsolete and replaced it
with what I mentioned. It was a total disaster.
And why do you think that, despite this exemplary
economic development of 1970, there were still very
marginalized sectors?
For the same reasons we have been talking about. If the
population growth rate is now still a little high, back then
it was extremely high. We were doubling our population
in a matter of 25 years and had a demographic growth
rate similar to that which exists in some parts of Africa
today. And, believe me, no economy on the planet will
be able to double its satisers at that rate. I repeat, from
1970 a supercial and erroneous diagnosis was made on
the true causes of social backwardness.
Thats why, lvaro continues, Don Antonio Ortiz Mena
correctly said after 1982, If we had continued with the
growth we had before 1970, oil would have appeared,
we would have reduced the population growth rate and
Mexico would have moved from being an underdevel-
oped country to being a developed country. I fully agree
with this statement of this extremely distinguished civil
servant, known as Don Alonso.
And, he continues, dont think that we only lost those
twelve years. We were also at least doubly affected by
146
the negative consequences because there was astronomi-
cal debt, state interventionism, ination, devaluations,
capital ight and other things we couldnt solve in just
a few years.
But, lvaro continues, I dont want to stray too far from
your question, Mr. Mora. I spoke about this experience
because you mentioned Keynesianism as something
negative. The harmful part was not Keynes theories, but
their terrible application in relation to state intervention-
ist policies.
But, in any case, lvaro says, those two economic
policies describedthat of success and that of failurein-
volve a moral: that vast difference stems from something
apparently very simple: the question is not whether or
not the State intervenes in investment, but rather the key
is in how it is done.
Look, lvaro maintains, the main feature of the channel-
ing of resources before 1970 was that it was done through
direct investment into production and, thereafter, an ex-
traordinary amount of resources was channeled through
state companies to supposedly stimulate demand.
This explains why the results were like going from day to
night. Before 1970 there was order, stability and growth
and thereafter came chaos, debt, ination, devaluation,
and there were even shortages of certain products. And
there are the facts to corroborate this.
Its your fault, Mr. Mora, lvaro says jokingly, that Im
telling you all this, but its very relevant to what you asked
me about my opinion of what could be done in Europe.
I thought, he also says jokingly that I had lost you to
the other side.
147
I talked about this, lvaro says, because it was rel-
evant.
I dont want to bore you too much, lvaro, but just for
my own curiosity, how do you think that public resources
can be channeled into a depressed economy like that of
Europe or another similar economy?
Action must always be taken, lvaro says, according
to several basic elements: rst, locating the actual social
needs, then there must be some guarantee that the funds
will be used in the designated area, and with the full
possiblity of their recovery.
Furthermore, that added investment must redound, at a
certain later time, to an increase equal to or greater than
the area of goods and services. That way, there is a guaran-
tee that stability is maintained parallel to growth, which
will also tend towards a situation of full employment.
Believe me, lvaro insists, when its not possible to
achieve at least these elements, the economy is not ful-
lling its mission properly.
Conversely, when state intervention is carried out cor-
rectly, these two basic objectives, among others, are
fullled: one, the objective to meet certain social needs
and two, the tendency towards a situation with a low
unemployment index, since its the only way for a soci-
ety to accomplish its potential, but under conditions of
full stability.
That doesnt sound bad, but lock that idea down in a
practical way, or give me an example like you usually do.
What would you do if, for instance, you wanted to stimu-
late a depressed economy, but in a completely healthy
way, applicable to the case of Europe or another one?
148
In the specic case of Europe, lvaro says, they let the
problems I mentioned and several others grow, and you
cant take isolated action in only one area of the economy.
You have to try to improve other things at the same time.
However, he continues, lets put aside the other ele-
ments for a moment, just for the purposes of an example.
A while ago I told you that the modern economy must
serve man and not the other way round.
Therefore, lvaro continues with great conviction, one
of the rst steps would be to detect a certain social need
and then seek to satisfy it through a correct investment
in the active eld, operating like a kind of second oor
bank. And, through the traditional banking system, with
the objective of guaranteeing each peso spent, but also,
I insist, conditioned to what I have just said, so that a
subsequent increase in the eld of goods and services
can be generated.
And, once a legitimate need is detected, this is where
resources are channeled and, as you asked me for a spe-
cic example, heres one: green industry. Its proven that
in this eld most parts of the world are going backwards.
Forests are being destroyed at a rate almost unquanti-
able for every passing minute.
Look, for instance, at whats happening right now in
many places: there are unemployed people and, parallely,
there are unmet needs, such as the green industry one
I mentioned, and others. I think, gentlemen, that there
the economy is not doing its job properly.
Do you know why I say this? When forestry investment
and wood and cellulose production are managed well and
in an ecologically responsible way, they become an excel-
lent protable and environmentally friendly option. Let
149
me mention the case of the United States and Canada.
These two countries produce around 50% of the worlds
wood pulp and, despite this, since this resource is well
managed in those countries, their forests keep growing.
Lets observe how, despite their signicant participation
in global wood production, their forests grow more each
year.
To better illustrate what Im saying, Ill give a small-
scale, albeit valid, example because a nation is but the sum
of all its individualities: on one occasion, to encourage
reforestation and with the help of experts, we prepared
here at the ranch a pilot study on forestry investment
for a surface area of 250 acres sown with trees to obtain
wood within a certain time. We proved that it was an
excellent investment and benecial to the environment.
Whether it be Europe of anywhere else, if the State
does not take on a more participatory role in the face of
a specic and clear need, like green industry and others,
and ignores the large numbers of unemployed, things will
get worse and Ill tell you what will happen.
They will continue to have large numbers of people
without work, paying them unemployment benet, if
that scheme exists in their country, instead of having
most people working in productive activities. The easy
path for the State to take is to cross its arms, but this is
usually, counterproductive.
I mean, Mr. Mora, it all has to be according to a legiti-
mate and viable human need and on a basis of economic
realism in order to guarantee nancial stability. In other
words, what the State invests should then be projected
into something real and tangible, and should result in
an increase in goods and services since with that we
150
can successfully solve a problem and keep most people
working and producing.
Seen from another perspective, Mr. Mora, the problem
is not whether a resource is spent or not, but rather it all
depends on how it is spent, or more correctly, how it
is invested. And if a certain expense by the State brings
as a consequence an increase equal to or greater than
that spent on the production of goods and services, I can
assure you that the economy remains perfectly healthy
and growing.
Playing devils advocate lvaro, I think your approach
leaves out the social cost, a key element of all modern
States.
Oh, well, of course! These conditions I mention are
indispensable, but they only refer to added investments
used as accelerators of the economy. The other budget
items, such as social expenses in a modern State, are
other subjects I havent even broached because thats
done traditionally by keeping incomings and outgoings
balanced.
Youve got me thinking, lvaro. Of course, Im not an
economist and I dont know if youre right or not, but
what I do know is that it sounds interesting.
With that, while they take a few more steps, Gustavo
adds, still a little pensive, Something has occurred to me.
Lets say, lvaro, that that strategy or monetary policy
you speak of was implemented and lets say it worked.
But, if I let my imagination y, you say that the economy
must be directed to social needs. However, if the vari-
ables, including population, stabilize, as you suggest, with
the passing of the decades, those needs appearing now
as urgent will be resolved and, according to what you
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propose, once that time comes, where will investment
be focused?
Wed have to see, Mr. Mora, lvaro maintains. But
in that hypothetical moment theres no need to worry
because a true statist would immediately redirect the
economy towards the greatest value of all: the human
being as a person, seeking to make the most of its great
potential. And that is not utopian.
Since we talked about assumptions, lvaro says, and
as you yourself say, lets say we manage to get to a point
where the needs have been met. At that moment, it
will almost be necessary to redirect investment towards
natures key value, which is man himself. And by pro-
ceeding thus, we substantially increase the level of edu-
cation and research, and human capacity will rise to an
unimaginable scale.
And lvaro continues, I think I can explain it better
with an example. Do you remember when Don Alonso
told us that we should learn about the behavior of trees,
which have two opposing phases?
In truth, lvaro, I dont remember too much about that,
but explain it to me now, so I can see exactly what you
mean.
A tree, he says, pointing to one, usually has two stages
that, though both important, cant be carried out at the
same time. First is the growth stage and then fruiting.
The second cant take place until the rst has stabilized.
You see, lvaro continues, if it grew in an unlimited
manner, a long series of physical impossibilities would
lead the tree itself, at a certain point, to feel that it has to
stabilize its development, which is where fruiting takes
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place. It happens thus because its vital energy will now
be channeled towards that transcendental second stage,
which constitutes the main objective of its existence.
Something similar, lvaro says, happens in our world.
Humanitys main strength in the past has been directed,
aside from barbarities such as wars, at trying to solve,
with little success, countless shortages. But, as these are
solved, our vital strength could be directed at the better
known valuable element, which is the human being. And
that will be the main and true change of civilization.
And how, specically, would that happen?
That will be implemented by people of that era. The
only thing I can assure you of is that for that next phase,
stabilization in growth is required, together with the cor-
rect management of the other things by government and
society in order to solve countless challenges that afict
us today. What follows will come automatically. I dont
know if we will see it, but I have no doubt at all that it
will be thus.
Oh, lvaro! Youve no idea how sorry I am that the day
has ended.
With that, they nally arrive at the minivan, where Juan,
the driver, looks at them expectantly.
How are you, Juan? Gustavo says. I hope you didnt
get bored.
I always come prepared with something to read and I
also went for a walk nearby. This place is really pretty.
The only bad thing is I have a slight stomachache
Oh, dear! And whys that?
153
I ate a second helping. Joaqun brought me some food
and then lvaro, as he didnt know, sent me some too
and I really shouldnt have kept it, but as it was all so
delicious, I ate it all
lvaro says jokingly to Miguel:
You see, Miguel, what I was saying?
Miguel is surprised and doesnt know what he means
Remember, what I told you, lvaro says with a smile.
Anything, no matter how good or even how excellent
it is, becomes a problem if the capacity to handle it is
exceeded
Youre going to start giving dumb examples, Miguel
replies. But dont think you can convince me.
At that moment, when Gustavo look upwards, he can see
countless stars lling the sky and there is no explanation
of where so many came from. He decides to say goodbye
before Miguel and lvaro start another discussion, and
interjects.
Well, lvaro, now we really are leaving and believe me,
were very grateful for your time, the conversation and
the company.
Delighted to have had a different day thanks to your
visit Oh, and hopefully at least some of what we spoke
of will be of use, because there is so much that can and
must be done.
Well pass it on
They say their friendly goodbyes and once they leave,
lvaro proceeds to close the gate and returns slowly to
the ranch house.
154
He cant help feeling a little surprised, since he feels
there has been a marked contrast in everything: just as
that splendid afternoon has given way to the darkness of
the night, in a similar way, once those unexpected guests
have gone, the intense conversation has been replaced
by a great silence.
Even the birds contribute to that unexpected stillness,
though lvaro knows very well that they do not inten-
tionally behave like that, but as obedient followers of a
mysterious protocol, which would surely show that once
the sun goes they must be quiet. Only the slight breeze
emits a gentle sound that kisses the leaves and grass and
is accompanied by the song of some excited crickets.
He thinks to himself as he walks that no sound is needed
because the impressive deep blue sky covered in stars
seems to accompany it, since he almost feels that they
are walking with him. In the same way, the wind that
barely touches him brings an aroma of grass, which is
like nothing he remembers
As he slowly walks, enjoying the exceptional moment, he
also remembers the wide range of topics they discussed
and something Don Alonso said to him comes to mind:
God gifted us all different perspectives for a reason, so
that by comparing them we can access a higher truth
within the human context.
But, there are some positions, he says to himself, whose
particular truth is not compared with that of others. Any-
way, things are thus for a reason and surely each part of
the world that surrounds us is important.
Suddenly he stops to look at the sky again, framed only
slightly by the outline of the trees, and wonders: if, as
a kind of cheeky experiment, all those mute witnesses
155
that accompany us in the world were given a voice, what
would they say about human behavior? How would they
judge our actions?
Its true, he says to himself, the thought is completely
absurd. Were surrounded by inanimate things. How-
ever, the bad thing would be, if it could be done, that
we wouldnt like their opinion at all. But here on this
night, we exceptionally assume that those accompanying
us can somehow express themselves. What would they
say? Would their current silence be approval, prudence
or even shame?
This is why lvaro condently justies himself. If nature
today has surprised everyone with its series of changes,
lets allow ourselves to be infected by its passing crazi-
ness and prudently let all those witnesses in the world
acquire a voice just for today.
The entire world will understand how right we are when
we completely ignore human stupidity
See what they do in their craziness. They call themselves
wise, even say they are homo sapiens, and they are
completely lost
They do not realize that by straying off their path they
put the world and all its wonders at risk
The path we take in obedient silence could also be theirs,
if they left their arrogance behind
How do those, who in their craziness call themselves
wise, act?
Some say one thing and others the opposite, and in the
meantime the world turns and its creatures suffer
156
Oh, if only they would return to the route that was
always very well signposted, treating each other like
brothers
If they turn to the sky, acknowledging He who made
them and following his teachings, the world would stop
weeping!
Forget that we spoke today! Let it not be recorded in the
holy books that we offered our opinion without permis-
sion and broke our silence
The stones want to speak, to tell them their truths, but
we want to be obedient which is why we impede them
We want to be obedient to what we were told at the
start: that when we see mistakes, we only look and keep
quiet
Alvaro keeps quiet as he gazes at the outline of the trees,
also turning upwards, where they seem to look at all
the stars. He feels the gentle breeze kiss his face, listens
to the persistent song of crickets and ponders: I think
its best they dont say anything, that they keep silent,
because their judgment, while perhaps just, would be
disappointing.
With that, he arrives at the house and decides to have a
drink before retiring to his room, when Benjamn and
his brother Joaqun quickly come to ask him something.
What happened to Don Alonso?
What are you talking about? Did he say something?
Thats why I mean, Benjamn says. He didnt really
want to talk to anyone or eat anything and went upstairs
157
to his room, very pensive. Ive noticed that when some-
one comes to visit, like those men today, this sometimes
happens to him.
Why did you let them in, Joaqun? Benjamn says, rep-
rimanding his brother.
Thats why I asked you rst, he replies. And you told
me to let them in
Dont worry too much, lvaro interjects. The thing
is that Don Alonso, though he doesnt show it, quickly
perceives others and when he sees something negative it
annoys him a little, which is no ones fault. Please dont
worry. Ill go up to see if I can talk to him. Do stay calm,
have a good night and sleep well.
lvaro quickly goes upstairs to Don Alonsos room and
before knocking on the door, can hear the music from
the opera Nabuco, but that does not abate his concern,
quite the contrary, because he remembers that on similar
occasions he did the same thing.
Once he enters the room, lvaro immediately sees that
Don Alonso is very concerned and says to him, What
did you think of the visit today?
Theyre good people, he says as he turns the volume
down. But I dont think theyll do anything that we told
them.
Why do you think that?
Mr. Mora has good intentions, but the people who re-
ceive his report will have a different perspective. First
of all, they wont nd a way to manage the matter in a
politically protable manner, so the most likely outcome
158
is that theyll sidestep the issue or put it to one side. And
also, if they think theres any risk, theyll be even less
inclined.
On the other hand, lvaro, aside from the fact that, ac-
cording to them, they might think theres a political risk,
theyll probably realize that the eventual positive results
wont be reected in the short term, in other words, dur-
ing the term of the current administration, and that will
have an even greater inuence on them not giving it the
importance it requires.
Ill tell you this, he adds, despite the fact that I think
the current administration has good intentions and the
ability, I do think that the matter might get stuck with
middle management. And remember that, to top it all,
there are certain opposing political groups that will sys-
tematically oppose almost anything thats proposed to
them.
Aside from everything, dont think that this incorrect at-
titude of many is limited to the political arena; it extends
to all kinds of human behavior overall. A very common
way of behaving is to try to impose our own point of
view, thinking that we can better see the true scope of
things and we try to twist them in a certain direction,
depending on our own convenience or opinions.
As proof of that, he continues, youll see what will
happen with the demographic issue: there are sectors,
such as the ultra-conservative extreme right, thatll slyly
and automatically oppose anything that looks like popu-
lation planning and that will be very serious, youll see.
Because if the population growth rate doesnt fall to a
more reasonable level, the problems we have today will
barely be a prelude to much more instability.
159
Furthermore, lvaro, dont think that this problematic
situation is exclusive to our country. It extends to almost
three quarters of the world, which is how much of the
world is considered to be underdeveloped, and what
makes a problem more dangerous is precisely when its
not identied as such
And as I said a while ago: using the particular methodol-
ogy used in demographic measurement, annual growth is
associated with a base thats increasingly growing, which
produces the false impression that, in percentage terms,
we have a true falling rate and the majority is convinced
that this is a problem thats already been solved.
I was thinking about that, Don Alonso continues, and
Im sure that when Mr. Mora, despite his excellent in-
tentions, puts the matter to other people, theyll simply
show him the falling percentages I mention and wont
see it from the perspective we set out. Therefore, as Mr.
Mora wont want to get into a conict with his superiors,
the matter will be led away.
Do you know something, lvaro? Im not so worried
about the issues discussed as such, but rather the attitude
many take towards them. Its true that there are people
who realize many things very well, but the vast majority
is occupied in other matters.
But, okay, lvaro replies. Though youre right, you
mustnt worry too much either By the way, he says,
trying to deliberately divert his attention onto something
else, Ive sometimes noticed that you listen to that opera
Nabuco, which by the way is very good. Is there some-
thing in particular about it?
I dont know, my esteemed lvaro, he says, if youre
familiar with the context of its story, but let me describe
it
160
Of course he nods quickly, still wishing to distract
him.
That opera is about a tragedy in a town in Israel, when
Jerusalem had been destroyed several centuries before
Christ and many of its inhabitants were taken captive
to Babylonia. They obviously, according to the author,
started yearning for old times. Listen to that part of it
where it says:
Oh, my country, so beautiful and lost! Oh, remembrance,
so dear and so fatal! Golden harp of the prophetic seers.
Why dost thou hang mute upon the willow.?
Let me tell you honestly, lvaro. The worlds golden
harp has also been forever quiet, hanging uselessly from
a tree, when it could be playing extraordinary melodies
of love, peace and harmony for all, but human blindness
has impeded it.
Because look, he continues, there are times when I
listen to that opera because I make a kind of analogy. Each
time the people of Israel strayed off track a tragedy hap-
pened, such as being held captive in Babylonia. And do
you know what? The worlds golden harp has, of course,
remained still and silent during all those centuries and
no one even knows of its existence because we assume
an attitude that does not allow our eyes to see.
Ive always thought, lvaro, that human beings were de-
signed differently, so that we were as innocent as children
and simply followed a certain established path, because
human ability is very limited and we arent able to see
clearly the true scope and consequence of our actions
Listen, he says, shall I tell you whats worse?
161
What, Don Alonso?
That we think we can see without being able to do so.
Imagine a person who has no sight and cant or doesnt
want to admit it. What would happen to him? He would
be constantly falling over. If we look back at history there
is no century that isnt full of all kinds of mistakes.
And now I ask you: how can you ask me not to worry,
when we can palpably see that, while many things can
be xed, there are some who dont put enough effort into
this and others who atly try to impede it?
How can someone not worry when we see that human
blindness causes physical and human misery, desolation
and the world dies of cold?
lvaro is unable to articulate a response as he admits
how right Don Alonso is and, without knowing what to
say, just manages to state, Don Alonso, tomorrow is an-
other day and, as you yourself have told me, each night
is followed by day and each storm brings calm. Theres
always a solution for everything and tomorrow well keep
talking about it.
Okay, lvaro, see you tomorrow and well talk. But I
cant stop thinking how different things could be! Any-
way
With that they say goodnight and lvaro also retires to
his room, deeply unsettled, not so much because of the
almost zero expectations he also has, but because of the
concern he see in Don Alonso.
Its a bad combination in one person, lvaro says to
himself as he heads to his room, when on the one hand a
strong perception of problems is combined with a certain
162
knowledge of the reasons behind them. Someone like that
is perfectly aware of mistakes and how they are made,
and feels helpless to correct them.
Thats why, he continues meditating as he enters his
own room, the great King Solomon said: The greater the
knowledge, the greater the desire since, as a person has
a greater level of consciousness about his surroundings,
he will be more concerned about problems, and even
more so when that greater perception leads him to real-
ize theres not much he can do.

But well, he said to himself resignedly, Im going to try
not to fall into the same trap and, as I said to Don Alonso:
tomorrow is another day.
163
CHAPTER X
NIGHT FOLLOWS DAY
After having stayed up very late reading to ease his rest-
lessness, lvaro awakens startled some time before dawn
wanting to talk again with Don Alonso about many things
that were left unresolved
He suddenly remembers that Don Alonso often likes
waiting for dawn on a small hill near the house, known
as the hillock, where he sits on the eastern side of the
hill. And on that day in particular, lvaro is sure that,
due to the anxiety he perceived in him the night before,
he will surely be there almost as punctually as the ap-
pearance of a new day.
Aside from everything, he says to himself as he gets
dressed, Don Alonso is quite right to enjoy that unpar-
alleled spectacle of daybreak as often as he can, since
it seem as if nature is forcing itself to gift us something
very special.
Once he has put on his poncho to protect himself from
the morning cold and as he leaves the house, as is the
custom of all those people who are in contact with the
countryside, he turns to the sky to see if the weather
has changed and sees that everything is pretty much the
same, with the same light breeze blowing from the north,
though the thermometer has not fallen too much.
Nevertheless, it means that there is no sign of a cloud in
the sky and the only thing he can see is that magnicent
coverage of stars which, untouched by anything, has
moved and is now sitting comfortably facing west.
164
How right Benjamn was, he thought when he taught
me to tell the time just by looking at the position of the
stars. Nature, he also acknowledges, is there to teach us
things. It just has to talk. Though, as he also thought last
night, it would be better if it didnt.
As he walks to that small hill known as the hillock, feel-
ing that light but pleasant breeze on his face, he sees the
moon is now in the east, lit only in its lower part with
Venus to one side. But that partial illumination of our
natural satellite makes it look like a half moon with its
horns facing up, which also makes his imagination y
during that brief journey.
Of course, he thinks, back in the olden days the early
observers of the sky were not aware, among other things,
that the moon and stars are on two very different planes
and the distance between them is vast, since the moon
is a few hundred thousand kilometers from them and
the stars are light years away. This means that, with a
supercial human eye, a very interesting optical illusion is
produced when they move in the sky at different speeds,
and certainly catch your attention.
The backward movement of 45 minutes a day of our
satellite in relation to the sky meant that many ancient
peoples had the clear idea that the stars were coming
out of the moon, when what was really happening was
that they were only hidden by it.
At that point, lvaro remembers what Don Alonso once
said to him: that many Pagan towns in the olden days
under the rule of Isis, Diana, Artemis and others, con-
sidered the moon not only a deity, but the very mother
of goddesses since, visually speaking, those civilizations
had in reality the clear perception that many stars, which
they also considered gods, were born or came from our
satellite.
165
Of course, it becomes evident that most of the statues of
these Pagan gods, due to their association with the moon
and the rm establishment of that belief, were considered
the mother of the Gods or the queen of the sky and
had a half moon with its horn facing up placed on the
soles of its feet.
And what a curious thing, he continues thinking, as he
arrived. I think that most people and even some religious
leaders, in their eagerness to want to do things in their
own way by encouraging the worship of certain images
that still attract those symbols of olden times, cant even
imagine where they truly come from.
With that, he arrives at the small hill, but as he has come
in from one side, he already knows the path facing east
of it, which is where a privileged view can be seen facing
the sunrise and where he expected to nd Don Alonso.
And as soon as he turns to a large stone, he is presented
with a unique spectacle: Don Alonso with his arms raised,
surely praying to God.
This stops him in his tracks because what he least wants
is to interrupt this special moment. He already knows
that Don Alonso is a man with very rm convictions
about God and surely wants to make good use of this
unparalleled moment, believing that he is alone in order
to address Him.
Therefore, he decides to wait a little and goes back
discreetly, taking advantage to enjoy for his part this
beautiful spectacle in the sky, knowing that once the
sun punctually appears, he will be able to speak with
Don Alonso.
166
In order not to return home, he sits down and leans his
foot against a tree, enjoying everything, including an
unparalleled aroma of grass.
Nevertheless, as he has not slept much that night, sleep
gets the better of him and without meaning to he falls
asleep right there.
167
He does not know how much time has passed, but the
incipient luminosity of the new day and the enthusiastic
bird song wakes him unexpectedly, since he is not expect-
ing so much time to have passed.
He hastily arrives at the place he knows and Don Alonso
is no longer there. As he turns to the ground, he sees that
he left a book open, in which he has written something.
And since he knows that he sometimes suddenly starts
writing things down, he decided to keep his writings,
with his consent.
Therefore, he looks at the open book and can read what
is written:
The true painter.
If we judge by what we see, surely we are wrong, because
things exist in the world, that we dont even perceive
from afar
There is a painter who does things that should amaze
us, but as we see them each day, we are perhaps used
to them
Other painters of the world believe that painting is copy-
ing things that artists have already done
Only the true painter is he who made life and canvas, he
who drew the stars and made them spin
Only the true painter knows how to make things so beau-
tiful, striving also to transform and give the gift of life.
He takes life from the same powder, changes the face of
things, and on the same day changes embellishments,
transforming their colors
168
That is why the blue we see now all full of stars will in
a while become clearer, along with the hidden stars
And all this because he waits for you to take his hand,
to always help your brother, thus becoming part of the
canvas
As soon as he has read it, he takes the whole book so he
can later ask for his permission to keep it.
He quickly heads to where the workers are gathering,
where Benjamn assigns the days tasks, trusting he will
nd him there.
He suddenly sees him from afar, with his now famous
poncho, looking to the ground, completely absorbed in
countless things. And within a few minutes he reaches
him and, trusting his mood to be different on this new
day, says to him, Hi, Don Alonso, good morning!
My esteemed lvaro, good morning! How are you?
Don Alonso, he says, showing him the book he found
on the hillock. I found this book there on the ground
at the hillock. Can I keep it?
Of course. Why do you want to keep it?
I took the liberty of looking inside and there are a few
lines that you wrote. I promised your children that when-
ever I saw your notes Id keep them. And he adds, Can
I tell you something, Don Alonso? I could take notes from
it; write some poems, or something
Well, theres no point, the poem is already written. The
problem is that we cant see it.
169
The poem is already written? Did you do something I
dont know about?
No, it wasnt me who wrote it, and I dont mean that.
The true poem is already written and we should instead
be thinking about not breaking it.
lvaro is confused and Don Alonso adds, The true poem
is already in everything, but we cant even see it. Its in
the laughter of a child, a tree, dawn, the stars in the sky,
that ower over thereand he points to itthe wind.
There are teachings and things to admire even in ap-
parent problems, but we cant see it. And he adds, The
challenge is to discover it and look after it.
With that, lvaro realizes that he is back to his old self,
and his mood is fortunately already different from that
of the day before, so he takes advantage of this and says
to him, Youre calmer now. What did you think of yes-
terdays visit?
Oh, you can tell! I was so foolish to come to such silly
conclusions.
What do you mean?
Look, when we see stubbornness and short-sightedness
suddenly appearing in everyone, myself included, we
start making judgments and very often are completely
mistaken.
Yesterday, he continues, I was very worried, thinking,
in my poor supercial opinion, that things were work-
ing, sociologically speaking, in an erratic manner. And
the truth is that I came here early today to meditate on
the hillock right where you found the book and, thank
God, now I see things very differently.
170
So, how do you see them, Don Alonso?
The fact that things work like that, apparently errati-
cally, among many other factors and things we dont even
understand, doesnt mean that theyre wrong, but rather
that its a manifestation of the vast wisdom and goodness
of the person who made everything.
You see, he continues, once we humans, wanting to
look smart, take another path, the Lord, instead of de-
stroying everything he has made and perhaps making
it again, as you and I might do, moves things around
with a purpose that not even the majority understand,
transforming it into an enormous test eld to separate
the wheat from the chaff.
Oh, the wonderful wisdom of he who made everything!
Believe me, my good man, the more I think about it, the
more surprised I am by what we see. And how foolish
of me not to even see it! How terrible!
lvaro deliberately decides not to say anything to allow
him to keep sharing his always singular perspective.
Its true, lvaro. And there will still be people who fol-
low other things, but, fortunately, well all be judged with
an individual opinion. And our obligation is not to judge
because we cant even see anything, nor are we capable
of interpreting the slightest similar behavior. Rather, we
must focus on doing what has to be done.
And, rst of all, we humans must trust in He who made
everything, who will regenerate things in the best way
whenever He wishes. Are we going to become judges?
That would be wrong, the mere idea I think is a mistake.
Well, I assumed, Don Alonso, that a new day was going
to provide a renewed, better perspective of everything
171
and you have no idea how glad I am to hear this, and I
completely agree.
And, lastly, lvaro adds, do you think that something
will be done about what we spoke about yesterday?
I dont think theyll do anything at all for the reasons
I mentioned, he replies. I hope Im wrong, but its not
their rst priority. Look, theres a North American writer
I once read, who said: Do the best you can each day and
leave the result to God.
If its done or not done, or why is it or why isnt it
Thats a matter outside our competence. Weve fullled
our task by discussing it.
Ill tell you, he repeats. For many years I said similar
things at the Society I told you about. I said it through
all possible channels: radio, television, books. I would
have wanted to do much more, but it was impossible. But
I cant get upset. As I say, you have to trust in He who
handles everything because He can get things done. The
fact that we dont understand it is another matter. As for
the rest You know what? The rest of us are foolish, and
Im the rst of them.
With that Amarildo arrives from the house to tell him
something, Don Alonso, your friend, the historian An-
tonio Muiz, has just called to see if he can come talk
to you again.
Of course! Where is he now?
Hes in Zamora and hes asking if we can pick him up.
By the way, I have to go there this weekend to see my
girlfriend Ana Bertha. If you like, Ill bring him.
172
Good idea! Don Alonso replies. And if you like, lvaro,
go visit your girlfriend Esther because if she doesnt see
you, he says jokingly, shes going to want to kill me,
eh! And give her my regards, too. On the way back bring
my friend Antonio and his wife. Im sure theyll bring
me some interesting books.
Im going to take a walk in the high part, lvaro. If you
want to go, just talk with Benjamn about how youll
organize the fertilizer next week before you leave today,
and well see each other soon for breakfast.
And so they watch Don Alonso walk away at his char-
acteristically slow pace. Who knows what hes thinking
about.
It almost even seems that the wind and the surroundings
agree with him and accompany him, though their vote
of silence stops them expressing any opinion.
Furthermore, if they could express themselves, or at least
be understood, maybe they would say something like this:
How right we were, the winds would surely say. We
were wise, the water would also say, when we were
silent
When time is up and those waters swell, damaging ev-
erything in their wake, they will return to their riverbeds
just in time
And fortunate are those who will be well planted on
the river banks, always with leaves, fruiting well and on
time
173
DEDICATION:
This book is dedicated to that small or large part
of Don Alonso we all, to some degree,
carry inside us, which for many reasons
cannot keep its head above water.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
This book would not exist without
the historian Don Antonio Muiz Pajns diligent
revision, Ana Sofa Ochoa Ricouxs cover illustration,
Griselda Samaniego Barrns economic analysis
and Luis Tovar Carrillos typography and book binding.
The SOCIEDAD MEXICANA DE GEOGRAFA
Y ESTADSTICA, A.C. was founded in 1833
by Valentn Gmez Faras.
Its members have included many of Mexicos
most distinguished intellectuals, scientists
and politicians, such as Andrs Quintana
Roo, Mariano Otero, Melchor Ocampo, Jos
Mara la Fragua, Manuel Orozco y Berra,
Miguel Lerdo de Tejada, Leopoldo Ro de
la Loza, Ignacio Ramrez (El Nigromante),
Gabino Barreda, Santos Degollado, Justo
Sierra, Joaqun Garca Icazbalceta, Luis
Bolland Kumackl, Vicente Riva Palacio, Flix
Palavicini, Miguel Schultz, Guillermo Prieto,
Antonio Caso, Emilio Portes Gil, Jess Silva
Herzog, Jess Reyes Heroles, Daniel Coso
Villegas, Jaime Torres Bodet, Julio Zamora
Btiz, Ignacio Chvez, Miguel Alemn
Valds, Jos Clemente Orozco, Alfonso
Reyes, Adolfo Ruiz Cortines, Adolfo Lpez
Mateos and a large number of distinguished
characters, by virtue of which this meritorious
institution is considered a precursor to the
nations cultural independence.
Its founder, the physician Don Valentn
Gmez Faras, while Interim President of the
Mexican Republic, dedicated part of his free
time to attending to the victims of a cholera
epidemic that invaded Mexico City.
4
EL FUTURO CHATARRA GUSTAVO CRUZ SANTIAGO JUAN M. OCHOA T.
If you wish to be amazed by discovering
the extraordinary potential that lies inside
every human being, and if you would also
like to do so in an enjoyable, clear way,
you must read this book.
It will also help you better understand the
true origin of many of the conficts that at the
moment seem inexplicable.
Therefore, we take the liberty of guaranteeing
that the perception you have of certain keys
matters will change after enjoying every one
of its pages.

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