The article reflects on the irony of Buenos Aires, which, while experiencing humid and hot summers, neglects the opportunity to embrace its proximity to the "wider river in the world." It emphasizes a missed chance to enjoy and revitalize a natural privilege that is often taken for granted. Instead of developing the riverfront into accessible beaches and recreational areas, the city has opted for urban expansion away from the water, leading to a separation from this vital natural resource.

Additionally, the article highlights the dangers faced by those who venture into the river despite its polluted state. The annual incidents of drownings are presented as avoidable tragedies—resulting from a reluctance to acknowledge the state's environmental issues along the riverbank. This neglect not only endangers lives but also underscores a broader urban policy failure to utilize the river as a safe public space.

Contrasting Buenos Aires with Montevideo, the author critiques the Argentine capital's historical decisions that have led to its current state of disconnection from the water, while the neighboring city showcases how a riverfront can be developed into a vibrant public space. The narrative questions the obsession with land reclamation and urban expansion that has defined Buenos Aires, suggesting a need for a reassessment of priorities to reclaim the river and enhance the urban landscape.