Half of Spain missed solar eclipse, proudly so

Solar eclipse: Half of Spain missed it and boasts about it

The recent solar eclipse split Spain in two: those who looked up and those who did everything else. In an informal poll, the watchers narrowly lost by a technical tie: 47% versus 53%. This approximate figure dispels the myth that such a phenomenon unites everyone; instead, it reinforced both camps.

The Spain that looked away

Reasons for ignoring the sky are as numerous as the people citing them. The most symbolic excuse is "Vicente," referencing the Spanish saying "where Vicente goes, everyone trinc." It became a metaphor for herd mentality. What started as individual defiance—"I won't go because Vicente is going"—spread through public discourse. Others cited clouds, prioritized naps, or claimed they already know sunset without needing to drive just to watch darkness fall quickly.

The business of going against the grain

The most analyzed stance was compulsive non-conformity. "I won't watch because everyone else will" was heard before and after the event. Yet, refusing to watch simply because others do is as predictable as watching because others do. One depends on the other: without a herd, there is no instinct to stand apart. Critics noted this contradiction: staying home to defy neighbors still centers the decision around them.

Glasses, antiestéticar, and hoaxes

Skepticism found fertile ground in cardboard eclipse glasses distributed by press and shops. Rumors spread online that thousands of units had invisible scratches risking retinal damage. This joined classic conspiracy theories claiming the government used the eclipse to hide rituals or cause eye harm. None were documented, yet reality wasn't needed. Medical advice against viewing the sun unprotected was conflated with suspicion that warnings hid ulterior motives.

Disappointment among travelers

Among those who took the event seriously, stories abound of poorly executed trips. A traveler who drove 150 kilometers to Tordesillas reported a fleeting spectacle: once the sun showed 3% of its surface, glare returned, ending totality in seconds. No total night, no applause. "It lasted nothing," one attendee said. Another, who moved 20 kilometers to avoid crowds, complained that the only rude people nearby gathered exactly when it mattered. Seeking solitude, he found company.

In the hours trinc, while the eclipse lasted barely a minute, the conversation will last weeks. Some already mark next year's calendar for a morning eclipse with better visibility. But first, one must decide whether to go. And there, the modern "Vicente" will appear again, because as long as some look at the sky, others prefer looking at their neighbor who doesn't.