Human Voice

Every voice matters. These are the words found on the home website of StoryCorps a non-profit organization that records the stories of people, all people. They record anyone who has a tale they want to share. There are three StoryBooth recording stations in New York City, San Francisco, and Atlanta. There are also two MobileBooths that travel the country. A person can simply make an appointment and come to one of these stations. They can come alone or they can bring someone with them. A facilitator will explain the process and if necessary will conduct the interview. The interview is forty minutes long and will consist of whatever questions the participant or participants want to be asked. These questions can be anything, big complicated questions about life or simple personal questions. At the end two CDs are created, one for the participants and one for the Library of Congress. StoryCorps can also obtain a copy if the participants sign a release for. These stories are then broadcasted on NPR's Morning Edition and are posted on their website.

The stories vary in content. Some are sad and tragic. Some are uplifting and funny. Some are nostalgic and sweet. Some are amazing. And they're all true. They are the real experiences of real people. They are conversations and monologues of people speaking from their heart with their own words. It has an impact that even an award winning novel would have trouble duplicating. The site even has animated shorts for some of their recordings and the feelings are only enhanced by the brilliant artwork.

One of their stories is from the oral historian Studs Terkel, an inspiration for the organization. He recounts his experience in an airport where the only voice he heard was that of a computer. He says how it spoke of the thirty second delay caused by a couple that got on at the last minute. He says how the couple were given the evil eye by the other travelers. He says how he tried to make a joke out of it. There was only silence. He then asks a baby on the train "What is your opinion of the human species?". The baby giggles. He says "Thank god, the sound of a human voice."