I left Spanish Wednesday night, to see Who is Mr. Schmitt? , and I began, as usual, a walk along Prado Street towards the Palace, which led me, winding next to the Congress, to Alcalá and Cibeles, where I took a taxi.

The coincidence of duration and schedules wanted this time that, in addition to joining the large flow of spectators who left the Spanish, I then faced the opening of the doors of the Teatro de la Zarzuela and the departure of the audience of the Teatro Bellas Artes .

A show of nightlife in the city . A show after the show, the rivers of people, the conversation and farewell corridors, the search for taxis, the dispersion of bars, cafes and restaurants that were filled instantly ... Movement, colors, laughter and noise between the illuminated signs , the lights of the cars, the lights of the windows and the neons of the buildings, the reflections of the shop windows and the shadows of the night. A 50s Broadway or Berlin 20s environment . Movie, as they say.

I arrived home, and when I put the Channel 24 Hours, I found the Barcelona riots broadcast live. Sometimes, the TV screen divided into three parts, with as many points of conflict. I thought it would have been fantastic if three cameras picked up live the departure of the spectators of the Spanish, the Zarzuela and the Fine Arts. Wouldn't that also be a show? Different, of course.

And I also thought if it is necessary for television and newspaper websites to broadcast live streams from Barcelona at all times. Suppose the intention is informative, but what is the result? Does it harm the city? Does it discredit independentism or police action, according to tastes? Does it induce a fear that makes the order crave? Does it invite a personal or vicarious epic? Does it cause a protest call effect? of soda?

In any case, and in the trend market, it is also a show. Hypnotic: the fire, the races, the loads, the falls, the sirens, the destruction, the throws ... The emotions of the violence and the violent emotions . But is it necessary? Is it useful under clear and responsible criteria? Is it an inevitable consequence of the informative duty?

It is a show, a fashion generator, like so many things that the audiovisual market touches and transforms without plan or meaning, advancing the offer without waiting for demand, creating variety and consumption. Let's see tonight, how are you?

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Barcelona
  • theater
  • Columnists
  • Opinion
  • Madrid

Global playground This is not America

Turn of the page: Sanchez's frog jump

Global courtyard University, yes or no?