Radiolab
Voice
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Voices are a product of millions of years of evolution, from fish to complex human speech systems.
- Maternal voices play an impactful role in child development and emotional security, evolving significance during adolescence.
- The loss of voice can lead to a reevaluation of identity and dignity, emphasizing that individuals remain whole despite communication difficulties.
- Disability innovation reflects personal experiences and societal challenges, as exemplified by Alice Wong and David Mirr’s stories.
Summary
The Evolution of Voice
The episode opens with a playful exploration of how human voices emerged over millions of years, tracing back to ancient fish with respiratory pouches. John Colapinto shares insights from his book 'This Is the Voice,' explaining that our vocal cords evolved from a small slit in fish to complex structures that allow for a variety of sounds, including human speech. This evolution represents a fundamental transformation in survival and communication, allowing creatures to express emotions and interactions.
The Emotional Power of a Voice
The next segment dives into the significance of voices, focusing on the unique attachment humans have to maternal voices. Daniel Abrams, a clinical associate professor, discusses studies showing that infants react to their mother's voices even before birth. As children, they form a strong neurological connection to these voices, associating them with comfort and safety. This connection transforms in adolescence when, typically, voices of peers become more rewarding than those of parents.
The Loss and Reclamation of Voice
The narrative shifts to Alice Wong’s experience after losing her speaking voice due to muscular dystrophy. Despite facing challenges in communication, Alice emphasizes the enduring dignity beyond the inability to speak. She discusses the emergence of advanced communication technology and her encounters with a device aimed at restoring her voice, reflecting on how it fails to recreate the individuality of her original voice. The conversation bridges into a broader reflection on the essence of identity and self-expression.
A Quest for Identity through Voice
Alice Wong’s journey continues as she explores David Mirr's story—the inventor of a speaking valve designed for ventilator users. His life exemplifies the intersection of disability and innovation, portraying a quest for dignity through the ability to communicate effectively. Alice’s reflective letters to David’s legacy reveal ongoing struggles within the disabled community to assert their identities and fight for their right to dignified speech.
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Show notes
Over the course of millions of years, human voices have evolved to hold startling power. These clouds of vibrating air carry crucial information about who we are–and we rely on them to push ourselves up and out into the physical world.
This week, we’re on a journey to understand how we got our unique sonic fingerprint, the power it affords us, and what happens when it’s taken away.
Special thanks to Alice Wong, Wren Farrell, Hector Espinal and his parents, Crisaly and Hector Espinal, Mary Croke, Nancy Kielty, Beth McEwen, Robin Feuer Miller, Roomful of Teeth, Amanda Crider, Caroline Shaw, Judd Greenstein, Leilihua Lanzilotti, Rebekka Karijord, and Michael Harrison.
EPISODE CREDITS:
Reported by -Annie McEwen and Matt Kielty
Produced by - Annie McEwen and Matt Kielty
Original music and sound design contributed by - Jeremy Bloom and Matt Kielty
with mixing help from - Jeremy Bloom
Fact-checking by - Anna Pujol-Mazzini
and Edited by - Alex Neason
EPISODE CITATIONS:
Books -
- Disability Intimacy by Alice Wong
- Year of the Tiger by Alice Wong
- This is the Voice by John Colapinto
Websites -
Audio/Artists -
Roomful of Teeth (https://www.roomfulofteeth.org/)
- Partita for 8 Voices written by Caroline Shaw
- AEIOU composed by Judd Greenstein
- On Stochastic Wave behavior by Leilehua Lanzilotti
- Fugue by Rebekka Karijord, taken from the record “The Bell Tower", featuring Roomful of Teeth.
- Just Constellations, composed by Michael Harrison
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