If you win by answering questions on a call-in on NPRs' satiric news radio show, “Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me”, you get announcer Carl Kasell to record his voice as the outgoing message on your answering machine. By now, hundreds of answering machines probably boast Carl's voice. His must be the most popular voice in America. How long will it take before everyone in America has Carl's voice on their machine? Will manufacturers catch on and license his voice for all answering machines? Will all our voice mail announcements sound like Carl someday?
Now, I like Kasell's voice. He has that warm, friendly and paternally authoritative sound so dear to NPR listeners. But I don't want Carl's voice on my answering machine. I want my own voice. I'm not Carl Kasell. I hope he doesn't want to be me. Does he have his own voice on his answering machine or would he like my voice? I'd be glad to record it for free. Why do so many people want Carl's voice on their answering machines? Is it because they don't like their own voices? Or do they want the prestige of having a professional announcer providing their outgoing message?
How does Carl feel if he hears his voice when he makes a call? Does he want to talk to himself? I talk to myself. Does he? But I don't use an answering machine to do it. If I heard my voice on someone else's answering machine I'd wonder what covert government agency was attempting to compromise my life. Or would it be an arcane joke by a friend? I wouldn't want to record my voice on someone else's machine. Perhaps it's a plot to confuse callers. If we put others' voices on our answering machines would that thwart national security spying on us?
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