The voice is critical to attracting the mate and vanquishing foes. When men are speaking with other males whom they identify as more dominant than them socially, they raise their pitch in deference. We don't even realize we're doing it. So you've got that genetic accident of a lower voice. Well, who prevails in getting the mates? Those guys. That's really putt's theory for this extraordinary thing about species: Our voices are massively different between men and women.
Today, we are revisiting one of our favorite episodes: an interview with New Yorker staff writer John Colapinto. In his brilliant book, "This Is the Voice," John says that while opposable thumbs are handy, the voice is our species' greatest attribute. We rely on it to communicate and collaborate, woo our mates and protect our children, win wars and make podcasts. John would know. A vocal injury changed his relationship with his instrument and set him on a path to better understand what his voice means to him — and what the voice means to humanity.