The Magic and Miracle of the Human Voice | The Slowdown

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Journalist and novelist John Colapinto — Courtesy John Colapinto

The Magic and Miracle of the Human Voice

Journalist and novelist John Colapinto traces the origins and implications of speech, and how it connects us to other species, in his book “This Is the Voice.”

February 17, 2022

5 minute read

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In 1999, journalist, author, and novelist John Colapinto damaged his vocal cords while singing in a rock band without properly warming up. The incident sparked a decades-long investigation into the miracle of the human voice and its biological, sociological, and psychological implications.

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