Intelligence Squared Archive – The Gift of a Radio, with Justin Webb
Jul 3, 2024
Justin Webb, a veteran BBC journalist known for his work on The Today Programme, dives into his memoir, "The Gift of a Radio," reflecting on his tumultuous upbringing. He shares insights into navigating complex family dynamics, particularly his bond with his mother and the impact of mental health stigma in 1970s Britain. Webb discusses the loneliness of being an only child and how radio provided solace. He also examines his boarding school experiences and the evolution of masculinity during his childhood, all infused with dark humor and poignant reflections.
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Gloria Webb: A Complex Character
- Justin Webb describes his mother, Gloria, as a complex character who underwent a significant life change after his birth.
- Initially involved in a frivolous lifestyle, she became serious, embracing Quakerism and Maoism while remaining a staunch snob.
Lingering Snobbery
- Class snobbery, learned in childhood, can persist despite intellectual understanding of its irrelevance.
- Webb illustrates this with his inability to use the word "toilet" and his pronunciation of "controversy."
Charles's Struggles and Societal Attitudes
- Webb's stepfather, Charles, struggled with undiagnosed schizophrenia, exemplified by playing Bach loudly at night and paranoia about the car.
- Societal attitudes then treated mental illness with a mixture of fear and hilarity, not open discussion.
