Librarian Sylvia Brown discusses her research into a mid-1970s north Africa earthquake that unleashed what many have since called "the voice of God." The quake triggered a mass, 48-hour bout of glossolalia, or speaking in tongues, across much of Eritrea. The U.S. government harnessed that energy and still deploys it on Americans today when, for instance, they're deciding whether or not to eat at Ruby Tuesday's.

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Credits:

Eva Lewis played Sylvia Brown. Eva performs with Press Play, White Privilege Black Power, Lena Dunham, NIXON and Colossus. Follow her on Instagram at @evarlewis.

Jamal Newman played Hasaan Gray. Jamal performs with Lena Dunham and NIXON. You can follow him on Instagram and Twitter at @hell0newman, and find him at jamalnewman.com.

Produced by Tim Townsend.

Theme music by Bart Warshaw.

Cover art by Claire Smalley.

Website by Chance Griffin.

Visit us at optophobia.org