Erudite, polite, diffident youngsters

I was there (Royal Society) last night for their annual soiree, where Fellows of the Society bring up to London evidence of the work they have been doing in the last year. It’s an extraordinarily inspiring event. Mostly young people stand in front of what could almost be called stalls and explain the work they are doing, which is often of the highest quality, in some cases leading the world, especially work being done at Imperial College at the moment. These young people are erudite, polite, diffident and helpful. They are a much bigger part of this country than the media ever allows them to be. What a shame that we spend so much time demonising so few and so little time taking account of the many people who not only keep things going, but push things forward and do so in a manner and style which slots in very easily with the best of what we are.

Melvyn Bragg


In Our Time website: www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/