Summary of The Wild Project #122 ft Arturo Pérez-Reverte | Lenguaje inclusivo, Su vida como reportero de guerra

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00:00:00 - 01:00:00

Arturo Pérez-Reverte, a former war reporter and Spanish author, discusses his experiences and reflections on war reporting, the complexities of humans and their behavior during wartime, as well as the dangers of ignorance and stupidity. Pérez-Reverte emphasizes that good and evil are not black and white, but rather there is always a gray area in human behavior. He also shares personal stories from his travels and experiences meeting various people and characters. Pérez-Reverte stresses the importance of education and knowledge in combating ignorance and stupidity, and encourages people to learn about different perspectives and historical events even if it means confronting uncomfortable truths.

00:00:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte, a Spanish author and former war reporter, discusses his love for literature from a young age, including the impact of reading books with adventure, mystery, and tragedy. He mentions that his interest in experiencing the reality of the world through conflict and war came from his love of literature, as he wanted to know if what he read was true or not. He spent 21 years as a war reporter, which he describes as a bittersweet experience that differed from the fiction of his childhood, but his love of literature helped him cope and understand what he witnessed.
00:05:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses how his experiences as a war correspondent shaped him as a person and a writer. He explains that he didn't go to war for the thrill of it, but rather to observe and understand the realities of it. He describes the horror and intensity of war, the way it changes people and how it taught him about both the good and bad sides of human nature. Pérez-Reverte also notes that the difference between reading, watching and experiencing war is huge, and that the war has a unique smell that is difficult to describe but impossible to forget. He acknowledges that some people are better prepared than others for the psychological toll of war, but that it can drive anyone crazy.
00:10:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses the limits of journalists working in war zones, both professionally and personally. He speaks from his own experience working as a journalist in places like Eritrea and Sarajevo, and how one's temperament can affect their ability to handle the horrors they face. He notes that while some may approach it as a type of tourism, true professionals are there to do a job and report on what is happening. However, this can create ethical dilemmas when faced with situations that require immediate assistance, and it can be difficult to balance the compassion and solidarity with the responsibility of capturing the story. Pérez-Reverte acknowledges that it is not an easy problem to solve, and many journalists may struggle with their decisions and actions later on.
00:15:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about the challenges of being a war reporter, and how it takes a special kind of person who can handle the anxiety and emotional toll that comes with the job. He emphasizes that every reporter has their own personal struggles and difficulties that they must deal with, but when someone does their job well, it is truly admirable. Pérez-Reverte talks about how war can affect a reporter, and how it can lead to negative feelings and reactions such as remorse, but also how it can lead a reporter to become more compassionate and to want to help others. He ends by discussing the balance between being emotional and objective as a reporter, and how it is important to maintain a certain level of professionalism when covering difficult events.
00:20:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about his experiences as a war reporter and the complexities of good and evil in times of war. He emphasizes that the concepts of good and bad are relative and that humans can be both heroic and perverse depending on the situation. He also talks about the uselessness of labeling people with simplistic terms like "good" or "bad" and emphasizes that everyone is grey. Additionally, Pérez-Reverte talks about how he got a tattoo during his first war stint, which was a serpent that he got on his arm.
00:25:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about his younger days of traveling the world with nothing but a backpack in a time before cell phones and the internet. He shares his experiences of meeting guerrillas, narcos, and traffickers, as well as falling in love with interesting women. Pérez-Reverte also discusses his career as a war reporter and how he eventually lost faith in his job, leading to his decision to leave and focus on his novels, which provided him with financial stability and the opportunity to sail. He believes that he would have left journalism regardless of his success as an author.
00:30:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte, a Spanish war reporter, talks about his experiences covering wars and conflict, including his time reporting on the Balkan wars in the early 1990s. He explains that the war was difficult and brutal, and that he believes the situation in Ukraine could escalate and become just as deadly. Pérez-Reverte emphasizes that even the worst of people can have moments of heroism and honesty, and that there is always a gray area in human behavior. He also notes that even those who are against war may find themselves participating because of social pressure and loyalty to friends and family.
00:35:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses his experiences as a war reporter, including a memorable moment with his professor who helped prepare a group of young boys for war by marking their blood types on their hands. He adds that labeling people as either good or bad is too simplistic and that a person's loyalties can be influenced by many factors. He stresses the importance of education and knowledge in combating ignorance and stupidity, which he believes is becoming more prevalent in today's society where emotions replace reason in many instances.
00:40:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about the dangers of prioritizing feelings over reason and knowledge. He argues that feelings can lead to fanaticism and even turn someone into an inquisitor. He encourages people to learn about different perspectives and historical events, even if it means confronting uncomfortable truths. Pérez-Reverte shares a story of how he learned about the psychology of torture by listening to a former torturer. He also talks about the cruelty of war, including how children can be more unpredictable and brutal than adults. He believes that knowledge of the human condition is valuable for peaceful coexistence and understanding one another.
00:45:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about his experiences as a war reporter and the horrors of war, from seeing the suffering of innocent victims to the numbness that can result from being surrounded by death. He recounts a few specific instances that stuck with him, including a convoy of refugees fleeing from the war and a dog with a broken leg that followed him around, displaying a loyalty that contrasted with the violence around them. Pérez-Reverte also reflects on his own ignorance as a child and how it led him to make a regrettable decision that still haunts him to this day.
00:50:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte speaks out against ignorance and stupidity, saying they are the worst things in the world and are often associated with malice. However, he believes that one can negotiate with bad people and even learn useful mechanisms of evil, but one cannot learn anything from stupidity. Pérez-Reverte also shares a personal story of a blind kitten that he found in the countryside and wanted to help, but could not bring himself to take it home. He explains that the older he gets, the more he becomes cynical towards stupidity and even adopts a churlish attitude towards it. Ultimately, he believes that the things he writes about in his novels are taken from the things life has either taken away from him or given him.
00:55:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about how he constructed a certain image of himself to defend himself and to avoid giving explanations. He gives the example of using language like "usted" to maintain distance and using a certain character in his public image to protect himself. He also talks about his use of social media, particularly Twitter, and how he likes to provoke reactions and observe people's responses, though he does not often engage in debate. Overall, he seems to find social media to be a fascinating and valuable source of information and inspiration.

01:00:00 - 02:00:00

Arturo Pérez-Reverte, a Spanish author, shares his experiences as a war reporter and how it changed his perception of humanity. He reflects on the complexities of life and warns that overprotecting and avoiding intellectual confrontation can leave individuals unprepared for the challenges of life. Pérez-Reverte also discusses his opposition to gender-neutral language, emphasizes the reality of immigration, and talks about the negative impact of politics on society. He highlights the professional attitude of reporters in war zones and shares personal anecdotes from his time as a reporter, emphasizing the importance of humor as a coping mechanism amidst the trauma and tension of war reporting.

01:00:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses the complexities of his life and the nature of humanity. He reflects on how his work as a war reporter allowed him to observe how humans react to certain situations and how it made him question whether an idiotic and ideologized world deserves compassion if it is perturbed. He also expresses concerns about the rise of misanthropy and the dangerous implications of condemning or applauding actions without considering the distance and context. Despite the complexities of life, he notes the admirable actions of humans amidst the chaos of war, reminding us to have a healthy perspective and distance when making moral judgments.
01:05:00 In this section of the interview, Journalist and Writer Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses his experiences reporting from war zones and the different types of fear, including panic and the fear that is necessary for a journalist to do their job. He also explains that while it may be tragic, being killed while doing your job as a journalist in a war zone is not the same as being assassinated, and that it is important to understand the risks involved and to go into those situations with a full understanding of what may happen.
01:10:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses his experience as a war reporter and how it is a dangerous job that requires a certain mentality. He mentions that death is a part of war and that journalists covering wars must be prepared for it. He also talks about the importance of trusting and working only with people who are reliable and professional. Moreover, he touches on the issue of female journalists covering wars, saying that, despite their bravery, it can be dangerous for them because of the risks of rape and violence.
01:15:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses his experiences working as a war reporter and how he viewed the people he worked with as family. He acknowledges that while there were both men and women on his team, he tended to avoid working with people who made his job more complicated. Pérez-Reverte also praises the bravery of the women he worked with, citing examples of female photographers who risked their lives and repeatedly returned to war zones despite injuries. He notes that in war situations, women can face additional challenges such as lack of access to hygiene products, but their resilience and determination make them an impressive spectacle to witness.
01:20:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte, a Spanish author and former journalist, discusses his opposition to gender-neutral language and defends the importance of maintaining the integrity of the language for the sake of literary expression. He argues that while he supports the feminist cause and believes in gender equality, he cannot compromise his craft by conforming to language that goes against the basic rules of syntax, grammar, and narrative economy. He also reflects on the changing landscape of literature, where female characters are increasingly given more prominent roles and complexities, and acknowledges the need for the language to evolve to reflect these changes.
01:25:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses how the suffering of humanity is the same no matter the country or ethnicity, and that the wars and trauma he experienced in the Balkans were a prime example of this. He emphasizes that we in Europe have created a bubble of comfort and have forgotten about the true reality of the suffering that exists in other parts of the world, including poverty in Africa and the mistreatment of women in Afghanistan. Pérez-Reverte warns against assuming that Western values and lifestyles are the only path to success, as history has shown that even prosperous and secure societies can crumble in the face of invasion or other threats.
01:30:00 In this section of the video, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses how society has forgotten that pain, horror, death, and tragedy are normal and that rejecting this reality can leave one unprepared and vulnerable. He goes on to say that the human condition is what it is, and that we are not all the same. He warns against overprotecting and avoiding intellectual confrontation, as this can leave individuals unprepared for the hardships of life. Ultimately, Pérez-Reverte argues that those who come from difficult beginnings are better prepared for life than those who have not faced similar challenges.
01:35:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses the reality of immigration and contrasts the hard work of immigrants who come to Europe to make a better life for themselves and their families with those who have everything handed to them but do nothing with their lives. He also shares his views on politics and politicians, saying that he has become disenchanted with the political system and that there are few politicians that he admires or supports. He champions education and critical thinking as essential in understanding the world and encourages people to look beyond the surface level issues to understand the historical and cultural factors at play.
01:40:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses his views on politics, especially the negative impact it has on society, particularly the poor. He highlights the dangers of politicians getting too involved in complex issues, leaving the less fortunate to pay the price. Pérez-Reverte also shares his opinions on Putin and his actions towards Russia's empire, believing that though he is a patriot, his actions and nationalism could lead to disaster. The conversation moves towards the impact of war and violence on society, with Pérez-Reverte acknowledging that it has always been a part of humanity's pursuit of power and resources. He also reflects on his experiences during the Siege of Vukovar, which he remembers as one of the most difficult experiences of his life.
01:45:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte, a former war reporter, talks about the experience of being in a warzone and how it changes your behavior as a reporter. He explains that a war reporter knows how to move and behave in a warzone just like a footballer knows how to score a goal or make a pass. Pérez-Reverte also shares a personal anecdote from his time reporting in war zones, where he had to climb onto a column to avoid the smell of excrement in a hotel during the siege of Genoa. He highlights the professional attitude of reporters in war zones, and how sometimes humor is essential as a coping mechanism amidst the trauma and tension of war reporting.
01:50:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about his experiences as a war reporter and how it can be difficult to handle the raw horror of the events he witnessed. He also explains that the use of humor can be a coping mechanism under such circumstances. Pérez-Reverte reveals that he left war reporting because he was tired and no longer believed in what he was doing. He also shares some funny anecdotes from his time as a reporter, such as being in Sarajevo during a football match and buying eggs on the black market for a birthday party, which he put on his expense report.
01:55:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about a New Year's Eve party he attended with journalists while reporting on the war in Romania. They decided to invite the prostitutes who worked for Ceausescu's secret police to rehabilitate them and give them a chance to celebrate. The party was a success, and everyone had a good time, including the prostitutes who were hiding in fear. Pérez-Reverte also shares a story about a woman in Sarajevo who offered him sex in exchange for cigarettes but he refused, as he couldn't use his position to take advantage of a vulnerable woman.

02:00:00 - 02:45:00

In this video interview, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses his experiences as a war reporter and how they informed and inspired his novels, the importance of humility and lifelong learning in his profession, and his approach to writing and reading. He also touches on the decline of cultural literacy and the changing nature of storytelling in the modern world, as well as his experiences working on film adaptations of his novels. Despite occasional bitterness and cynicism, Pérez-Reverte emphasizes the humanity to be found in even the midst of the horrors of war, and encourages people to listen and learn from their elderly relatives before their unique perspectives and memories are lost forever.

02:00:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses his experiences as a war reporter, including a memorable moment when he arrived at a morgue and saw the bodies of war victims, and another moment when he encountered a friend in the warzone unexpectedly. He also talks about how his experiences have informed and inspired his novels, such as The Painter of Battles, which helped him to process and understand the mechanisms of the world he had lived in for 21 years as a war reporter.
02:05:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about the difficulties of writing a story that is truly realistic and includes all the complexities of relationships, such as love, betrayal, and changing personalities. He notes that, as someone who has had an eventful life as a war correspondent, there are certain things he wishes he could unsee, particularly when it comes to protecting his daughter's innocence. Despite his occasional bitterness and cynicism, he insists that he is not a cynic and has seen too much goodness in people to be one. He recalls a story of a sniper he worked with in Sarajevo who explained to him the nuances of shooting at people, and how he tried not to kill people outright with his first bullet, even if it made it more dangerous for him. This anecdote is a reminder that, amidst the horrors of war, there is still humanity to be found.
02:10:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about his experiences as a war reporter and the intense situations that come with it. He also comments on the importance of travel and the value of writing as a form of catharsis. He expresses his gratitude to his readers, acknowledging that they are the ones who make him feel free. Additionally, he recommends that writers facing writer's block turn to classic literature as a source of inspiration.
02:15:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte speaks about the importance of humility and learning in his profession. He shares how when he was a young reporter, he was always eager to learn from others, and this attitude of humility helped him gain the trust of his colleagues. He mentions how reading widely, even from genres considered low-brow or inferior, can help a writer learn different techniques and styles, and ultimately develop their own unique voice. Pérez-Reverte emphasizes the importance of always being willing to learn and grow as a writer, and the value of being a lifelong reader.
02:20:00 In this section, author Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses his approach to reading and learning from other writers, advocating for a humble and unapologetic approach to taking inspiration from those who have come before. He cites Joseph Conrad as one of his favorite authors and the one whose works he feels have aged the best with him, and speaks highly of his personal favorite books, including Don Quixote and the writings of mountain climber Reinhold Messner. The discussion turns to Pérez-Reverte's own works, and he shares that his book The Painter of Battles is his most autobiographical and meaningful work, while The Fencing Master is his most commercially successful. Finally, Pérez-Reverte speaks about his early experiences with writing for fun, and his eventual decision to pursue writing as a profession after realizing it could provide him with both enjoyment and a steady income.
02:25:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte talks about his various books and the writing process. He recommends the book "Un Dia de Cólera," but notes that it was the most challenging book he's written due to its structure and numerous characters. He also talks about his popular character, Falco, who he describes as an anti-hero, and shares that some of his books have been deemed "too politically incorrect" for the American market, but he refuses to water down his writing. Pérez-Reverte also speaks out against the culture of political correctness and states that he believes in the right to express oneself freely without fear of being censored or incurring the wrath of the inquisitorial mob.
02:30:00 In this section of the video, Arturo Pérez-Reverte speaks about the importance of preserving the memories and stories of the elderly, as each person takes with them a whole world when they pass away. He encourages people to ask questions and listen to their elderly relatives, as they will carry with them a unique perspective and memories of a world that no longer exists. He also touches on the changing nature of storytelling and the decline in the popularity of reading, stating that while the novel may be losing its popularity, new forms of storytelling such as video games and podcasts may take its place in the future.
02:35:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses the importance of demanding quality and content depth from any support of the media. Pérez-Reverte acknowledges the positive aspects of modern adaptations of classic stories into video games and films. However, he notes that a lack of cultural literacy and low demands from viewers can lead to the decline of profound content. He also emphasizes the value of learning from the past and maintaining one's curiosity to comprehend and not demean humanity. Despite agreeing to some of his work's adaptations for film and series, he admits that the end product may not necessarily remain faithful to the original story.
02:40:00 In this section, Arturo Pérez-Reverte discusses his experience working on a movie with Roman Polanski, called "The Ninth Gate". He mentions that while it was not based on his exact novel, he enjoyed watching the film adaptation and particularly liked the main actress, Emmanuelle Seigner. He also mentions that he always puts in his contract that he must approve the title and script of any adaptations of his work. The conversation then ends with the guests signing a poster of Justin Bieber.
02:45:00 In this section, the host and guest discuss the modernity of Arturo Pérez-Reverte's writing and how it may surprise some readers who view him as an old-school author. The conversation also touches on Pérez-Reverte's persona on social media and how it can give off a different impression than his true self. The section closes with Pérez-Reverte quoting a famous saying about not trusting prophets or inquisitors.