Blog #6 NPR Radio Interview Analysis

Interview: “Undiagnosed Asperger's Leads To 'Life As An Outsider'”

The interviewer provided a substantial amount of background information about Tim Page, the interviewee. She presented listener's with background information about Page, including his academic accolades as well as the fact that he is a Pulitzer Prize music critic. She also mentioned his memoir, “Parallel Play: Life as an Outsider,” which was the subject of the interview. Questions were guided based on the relevance to Page's memoir, which kept interview on topic.

The interviewer asked questions such as, “What kind of licenses did your eccentricities give you?” and “Looking back, how did Asperger's syndrome affect your liking to music?”. Page responded to her questions with logic and seriousness. From trying LSD to his addiction to marijuana to counter his stress, Page answered each of her questions without sounding defensive or angry. The interviewer built up her questions utilizing several excerpts from Page's memoir.

The relationship between the interviewer and interviewee seemed positive and fair. No arguments or discomfort took place based on their tones during the course of the interview. Although a portion of the interview involved Page being labeled as a crack addict, Page handled it safely and was apologetic towards the actions he made in the past at that point in time.

Overall, I learned about Asperger's syndrome, which is an autism spectrum disorder that leads to difficulties with social interaction. Page mentioned he felt pressured and much anxiety through his high school and college years, experimenting with several drugs to ease it all. Page's liking for music keeps him going and despite his son having the same syndrome, who is only 19, Page wants his son to not feel judged or depressed. If Page is a Pulitzer Prize music critic with Asperger's syndrome, I am sure his son is capable of something greater. The interview ended cheerfully and respectfully, with all questions answered and no conflict.