The Cuban government has pulled off the unlikely feat of turning public reaction to an electrical outage into a master class of double entendre, technical confusion, dark humor, and a national venting session. This time, the blackout came with a new name, the "excitatriz," sparking lively discussion across social media due to its malfunction in Varadero.
Earlier this week, state-run media reported that the combined cycle plant of Energás Varadero was taken offline from the National Electric System (SEN) because of a failure in the generator’s excitatriz. The report, delivered with somber seriousness by journalist José Miguel Solís, highlighted the significant impact on people’s quality of life.
Yet, with thermoelectric plant breakdowns being so frequent, Cubans resorted to their trademark way of coping—mocking the chaos of the SEN with sarcasm, irony, and humor. When activist Edmundo Dantés Junior posed the question, "Who can explain the excitatriz to me?" it ignited a flood of jokes, memes, and both serious and impromptu definitions, making this electrical component the viral sensation of the week in Cuba.
The Excitatriz: A Viral Comedy Act
One commentator, with a flair for technical detail, quipped, "The excitatriz is the actress who gets excited when her scar is touched." Meanwhile, self-proclaimed experts in "thermoelectric pathology" demonstrated their command of the new blackout-related lexicon, asserting, "We know all the parts that can break and every possible failure. And what we don’t know, we make up. Let it not be said otherwise!"
Some Cubans attempted to keep their sanity by turning to sources like Wikipedia or ChatGPT to clarify that "the excitatriz is the system that supplies current to the generator's rotor." Another individual attributed the issue to inadequate maintenance, noting, "They didn’t clean the tubes properly, and the excitatriz got damaged," although this warning came too late for Energás.
A Component of Controversy and Humor
Some users resorted to more graphic imagery, likening the component to human biology. "The excitatriz is key in the thermoelectric plant: if you don’t touch it, it doesn’t generate," they jested. Theories ranged widely, picturing it as everything from a new soap opera villain to a missing piece of the Antikythera Mechanism, or even the twin sister of the chumacera (a bearing support).
In conclusion, while it's unclear if it’s an empress, courtesan, or first lady, the drama surrounding the SEN crisis in Cuba is undeniably exciting. The government insists the component "is under investigation for its potential reintegration into the system." Meanwhile, Cubans remain in the dark, both literally and figuratively, as the desire to love in this island nation dims. Yet, pondering the excitatriz and the culprits behind its state can ignite our spirits, sometimes in laughter, and other times, in frustration.
Understanding the Excitatriz and Cuba's Energy Woes
What is the role of the excitatriz in a generator?
The excitatriz is responsible for supplying current to the rotor of a generator, enabling it to produce electricity.
Why did the malfunction of the excitatriz lead to a blackout in Varadero?
The malfunction of the excitatriz caused the Energás Varadero plant to be taken offline, leading to a disruption in the National Electric System and resulting in a blackout.
How have Cubans reacted to the recent electrical failures?
Cubans have responded with humor and sarcasm, using the situation to create jokes and memes, while also expressing their frustration with the frequent power outages.