The episode begins with Art welcoming the audience to “Area 2000,” a program sponsored by the Bigelow Foundation, and introduces the night’s guests and topics. Art highlights a report from Linda Howe, focusing on alternative realities and dimensions, followed by a discussion with Chad Deacon about crop circles. Linda outlines her investigative journey in England, exploring crop circles and the concurrent phenomenon of animal mutilations, presenting an interconnected narrative of global anomalies. She emphasizes findings from Dr. Lovingood regarding chemical and physical changes in plants from crop circle sites, adding depth to the phenomenon’s mysterious nature.
Linda shares insights from a Canadian study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Researchers led by Dr. Nicholas C. Spanos investigated individuals reporting encounters with anomalous phenomena, such as UFO sightings and alien contact. The study found these individuals to be as mentally sound as the general population, with several participants reporting detailed experiences, including telepathic communication and missing time. These findings challenge stereotypes about individuals reporting UFO encounters and catalyzed media interest, resulting in broader discussions about these experiences.
Art and Linda also explore the cultural implications of such reports, noting a story from Washington, D.C., highlighting individuals who claimed ongoing UFO encounters. As Linda narrates these connections, she suggests a shared thread linking crop circles, UFO sightings, and abduction phenomena, hinting at dimensions beyond ordinary human perception.
Linda continues her analysis, discussing reports from two women on a Virginia horse farm who claimed recurring interactions with UFOs and beings described as non-human. These entities reportedly materialized from thin air, reflecting long-observed patterns in UFO and human abduction narratives. The women detailed experiences of being taken to brightly lit environments, undergoing medical-like procedures, and being returned, likening the experiences to how humans take pets to veterinarians—traumatic yet possibly purposeful.
She further highlights the growing academic interest in these phenomena, emphasizing that studies by Canadian psychologists are treating the subject seriously, with media outlets expanding coverage. As 1993 ends, Linda speculates on the potential for significant revelations in 1994, possibly from political or governmental sources. She discusses the involvement of high-ranking officials, such as Bobby Ray Inman, who could possess knowledge about phenomena like UFOs, and the possibility of MJ-12—a rumored group managing extraterrestrial information—being real.
Linda reflects on the urgency of shifting societal paradigms regarding extraterrestrial life, stressing the abundance of testimonies and military sources suggesting decades-long interactions with non-human entities. She expresses hope that governments might soon openly address these realities as humanity approaches the year 2000, suggesting a slow but deliberate preparation for broader disclosure.
Art and Linda continue discussing the challenges governments face in disclosing the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. Linda emphasizes that individuals like Bobby Ray Inman may know more about the subject but might hesitate to reveal details due to the public’s readiness and the intricate implications of such knowledge. She reflects on how generational shifts since the 1940s have made gradual disclosure more viable, suggesting the government may aim to ease society into acceptance over time.
They ponder the complexities of telling a story that challenges day-to-day human experiences, with Linda noting that constitutional and ethical reasons demand greater transparency. The pair question whether revealing such information would result in societal chaos or if the prolonged silence has been a strategic effort to protect the public. They explore how the secrecy has grown into an institutionalized stance, fueled by fears of disrupting global systems—political, religious, and economic—while pointing out the moral weight of withholding the truth.
Art and Linda also delve into the psychological and strategic dimensions of disclosure, speculating on whether governments have deliberately postponed the conversation, weighing the potential fallout against the benefits of public awareness. They note that internal groups, often symbolized by “MJ-12,” may struggle with the decision to release this paradigm-shifting information.
Linda shifts focus to claims of English military involvement in staging crop circle hoaxes during the 1990s. Confidential sources suggested the military planted symbolic items such as candles and Bibles within crop circles to frame them as occult phenomena rather than extraterrestrial in origin. This effort appeared aimed at discrediting the crop circle phenomenon. Linda raises profound questions about why these formations would be considered national security concerns and why global collaborative research into their origins remains limited.
Art transitions to introducing Chad Deacon, founder of Pacific Research, who has extensively studied crop circles since 1990. Chad describes his initial interest in the subject sparked by a television program on the phenomenon. He recalls being captivated by the unexplainable aspects of crop circles, which defied traditional science and technology, suggesting a possible link to another dimension. Chad highlights his participation in Project Argus, a major scientific investigation into crop circles, and his close collaborations with prominent researchers like Colin Andrews and George Wingfield.
In conversation with Art, Chad reflects on the origins of crop circles, noting their sporadic mentions throughout history but asserting their modern prominence began in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He acknowledges the difficulty in definitively tracing their beginning, emphasizing their mysterious and unclassified nature.
Chad Deacon elaborates on the evolution of crop circles, tracing their rise to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s in South Central England, near ancient monuments like Stonehenge and Avebury. Initially, the formations were simple circles and few in number, but they grew increasingly complex and abundant over the years. Chad highlights early research by Colin Andrews and Pat Delgado, emphasizing how the phenomenon seemed initially confined to Britain.
Chad addresses the skepticism surrounding crop circles, noting that claims of hoaxing by individuals like Robert Irving, Doug and Dave, and others fail to hold up under scrutiny. Public demonstrations by these individuals produced crude imitations that lacked the intricate and refined features of authentic crop circles. Authentic formations, Chad explains, display an extraordinary precision and aesthetic beauty, with stalks flattened seamlessly and often layered in ways that seem impossible to achieve manually.
He discusses specific anomalies found in authentic crop circles, such as multiple layers of stalks interwoven without damage, despite the stalks being brittle and prone to breakage during the late harvest season. Chad asserts that the lack of footprints and the apparent resilience of the stalks further suggest that these formations cannot be human-made, adding layers of mystery to the phenomenon.
Chad explains how crop circles gained prominence during the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly in South Central England near historic megalithic sites like Stonehenge and Avebury. Initially, crop circles were simple and few, but over the years, their numbers and complexity increased significantly. He recounts investigating claims from hoaxers, such as Robert Irving and the duo Doug and Dave, who alleged they had fabricated all crop circles since 1978. Chad emphasizes that these claims lack substantial proof, and when tested, these individuals failed to replicate authentic crop circles.
He notes distinct differences between man-made and genuine formations. Authentic crop circles exhibit precise, layered arrangements of stalks, often interwoven without breakage, creating a smooth and visually appealing pattern. In contrast, the hoaxers’ efforts resulted in uneven, clumsy outcomes, often leaving crops damaged or improperly flattened. Additionally, Chad highlights anomalies such as multiple layering of stalks and the lack of footprints or disturbances in the surrounding areas, which are hallmarks of genuine formations.
Chad further points out that many crop circles appear under challenging conditions—often at night—making it unlikely for hoaxers to execute them undetected. The stalks themselves, especially later in the harvest season, are fragile and prone to breaking, yet authentic circles show no signs of damage.
Chad elaborates on the intricacies of authentic crop circles, emphasizing their impossible-to-replicate characteristics. Authentic formations display precise, single bends at ground level, with no crimping or damage to stalks, even when interwoven. He notes anomalies such as untouched individual stalks amidst flattened crops, a phenomenon that would be implausible for human efforts or natural forces to replicate uniformly. Hoaxers like Doug and Dave, despite their claims, failed to produce authentic results during controlled tests, and their narratives—sneaking out nightly to create thousands of circles in poor weather—stretch credibility.
He confirms that crop circles are not confined to England but appear globally, including in Canada, the United States, Eastern Europe, Russia, Japan, and Australia, often in industrialized nations. Chad dismisses unverified reports of formations in unusual locations, like ice fields, focusing instead on the overwhelming evidence tied to crops. He reasons that crops serve as an ideal “canvas” for leaving detectable traces, as they are guaranteed to be discovered during harvest.
When asked about the purpose behind these formations, Chad acknowledges potential messages, citing symbols resembling astrological signs like Venus or Mars, but emphasizes the elusive nature of definitive interpretations. He suggests the possibility of an alien intelligence behind the phenomenon, using these formations to capture human attention in a subtle yet unmistakable manner.
Chad discusses the elusive nature of crop circle messages, noting that while some symbols hint at ancient languages or astrological signs, no clear or repetitive message has emerged. He stresses the intelligent placement of crop circles, often in fields where they are guaranteed to be found, but avoids declaring a definitive pattern. Addressing the claim of hoaxes, Chad shares that he has not encountered clear evidence of fakes during his investigations. Farmers who charge admission often do so to recover losses from flattened crops rather than for profit.
Chad shifts to molecular changes observed in crop circle plants, referencing Dr. Levengood’s groundbreaking research. The biophysicist discovered alterations in the microfibril tissues of affected plants, specifically around the seed heads. These tissues, responsible for ion transfer, show enlarged structures that allow a faster nutrient flow, a feature not found in mechanically damaged crops. Experiments with microwave exposure replicated similar effects, suggesting the involvement of microwave-like energy in the creation of crop circles. However, the exact energy or technology responsible remains unidentified.
Chad expands on Dr. Levengood’s findings, noting the immense energy required to create the effects observed in crop circles, which appears similar to microwave activity. He discusses skepticism regarding the possibility of the phenomenon being caused by advanced technology like Star Wars satellites, citing the absence of widespread environmental damage or dead animals typically expected from such energy levels. Interestingly, the energy affects only the crops and not the surrounding wildlife, with rare exceptions.
He recounts two unusual cases involving dead porcupines found in crop circles in Canada. In one instance, a porcupine appeared flattened, dehydrated, and its quills swirled in the direction of the crop pattern. Chad speculates the animal’s defensive posture might have resulted in it being caught in the formation process. In another case, only the quills and bones remained, with the remains blackened as if subjected to intense heat, though lab tests showed no signs of burning or fire.
Chad dismisses the likelihood of military experiments causing these formations, questioning why such activities would occur in densely populated areas of England. He highlights that many observers and researchers watch these fields nightly, making covert operations highly implausible. Despite numerous efforts, including watches and cameras, no one has successfully captured the creation of a crop circle on video.
Chad discusses reports from individuals claiming to have witnessed crop circles being formed. These accounts often describe an eerie stillness before the event, followed by violent movements of the crops and a whistling or howling noise. The described conditions bear similarities to those of tornadoes, but Chad notes that the precise, cookie-cutter edges of crop circles do not match typical wind or storm damage. Meteorological conditions, such as swirling winds, have been investigated but do not align with the characteristics of crop circles.
When asked about UFOs, Chad describes a possible loose connection, citing reports of strange lights and small, shiny objects—about one to three feet in diameter—seen skimming across fields. One significant sighting near a crop circle involved a team of researchers, including Stephen Greer, who reported a structured UFO. These events, while rare, are corroborated by credible witnesses and sometimes captured on film.
Chad recounts his experiences on crop watches, often using cameras and night vision equipment to monitor fields overnight. While most attempts yield no results, he recalls one memorable incident involving a spectacular crop circle formation and an intense feeling of energy in the field. Though nothing materialized that night, such moments underscore the mysterious nature of these phenomena and the persistent efforts to understand their origins.
Chad recounts another instance of frustration while observing crop circles. On one occasion, a new addition to a formation appeared overnight while his team was nearby but unable to witness its creation. Similar accounts, including an incident involving an ABC program’s night watch, reinforce the elusive nature of these phenomena. In another case, a fog descended over a field just before sunrise during a watch, obscuring visibility, and when it lifted, a new formation had appeared. Chad suggests these patterns indicate an intelligence actively avoiding detection.
He explains Project Argus, an international research initiative funded by the Bigelow Foundation, which aimed to identify the energy source behind crop circles. Using advanced instruments to detect microwave radiation, ground vibrations, and traces of radiation in soil and crops, the team found no definitive evidence but gathered valuable data. While Project Argus didn’t uncover a “smoking gun,” it helped refine research methods and focus future efforts.
Chad highlights Dr. Levengood’s experiments involving microwave energy to replicate the effects seen in crop circle stalks. The energy levels required, especially if delivered from a satellite or aircraft, are so immense that such technology remains speculative. Furthermore, the absence of casualties or detectable radiation strongly suggests the phenomenon is not terrestrial or related to existing technologies. Chad notes that research continues, including germination tests, to explore potential insights into the nature of the formations.
Chad shares findings from germination tests on seeds collected from crop circles and control samples. Seeds from within crop circles germinate faster and grow better under suboptimal conditions, suggesting the energy responsible for the formations alters the genetic or cellular structure of the seeds. He plans further tests to explore whether similar effects can be induced by artificially applied microwave energy.
Discussing predictions for the coming year, Chad anticipates crop circles becoming increasingly complex and continuing to capture attention. He notes a trend where fewer circles have appeared since their peak in 1990, which coincided with high sunspot activity. Dr. Levengood hypothesizes a connection between sunspot cycles and the phenomenon, though Chad argues that such energy must be guided with precision to create intricate patterns, akin to an artist painting on a canvas.
Chad likens the phenomenon to artistic expression, observing that some formations appear sophisticated while others seem simpler or less refined, suggesting the involvement of different “entities” or energy levels. He emphasizes the meticulous nature of many crop circles, further distancing them from random environmental or natural occurrences.
Chad delves into peculiar effects observed during crop circle investigations, including physical sensations and equipment malfunctions. He describes experiencing headaches upon entering certain formations, which dissipate upon leaving the area. In one incident, a tape recorder placed in a formation inexplicably recorded at half speed throughout its use, despite functioning normally before and after. A German film crew also encountered rapid battery depletion, with a fully charged battery pack dying in just 8 minutes—a phenomenon observed only in rechargeable batteries.
Chad also notes frequent camera malfunctions. A photographer’s electronic camera repeatedly failed to capture images of a specific crop formation but worked normally when aimed elsewhere. Similarly, film from crop circle sites occasionally fails to develop, leaving blank frames for the affected area while other images on the roll are fine.
These anomalies suggest the presence of a localized energy or electromagnetic activity within crop circles, yet attempts to measure this with instruments have been inconclusive. Chad emphasizes the mysterious nature of these occurrences, reinforcing the idea that crop circles are influenced by forces beyond ordinary understanding.
Chad addresses several questions about the nature and origins of crop circles. One caller inquires about the possibility of Star Wars technology, such as finely tuned microwaves or lasers, being responsible for the formations. Chad explains that crop circles predate the 1970s, making it unlikely that modern technologies are involved, especially considering the significant risks and public visibility of conducting such experiments in populated areas.
Another caller draws parallels between the stillness reported during crop circle formations and accounts of UFO sightings or abductions. Chad acknowledges the similarities, reinforcing the possibility of a connection. He reiterates that while no absolute evidence links crop circles to UFOs, the intelligence guiding these formations suggests an alien origin. The patterns, he notes, seem designed to provoke curiosity and play subtle “games” with human observers.
A caller mentions a reported instance of a coin found within a crop circle bearing the same pattern as the formation itself. While Chad has not heard of the specific case mentioned, he recalls a similar event in Germany.
Chad discusses notable incidents involving crop circle discoveries, including a famous German case where a metal detector unearthed gold, silver, and bronze plates bearing the exact pattern of the crop formation. These plates were quickly acquired by collectors, with at least two still existing. Chad notes the rarity of such finds and emphasizes the importance of preserving formations in their pristine state for research.
He advises farmers who discover crop circles to restrict access until researchers can investigate, allowing them to check for footprints, take samples, and photograph the site. Chad recounts a fortunate experience in Canada where a farmer reported a new formation and ensured it remained untouched until Chad arrived. The formation displayed no signs of human interference, no disturbed soil, and crops slightly raised above the ground, further supporting its authenticity.
In Canada, the absence of “tram lines” common in England makes it nearly impossible to enter a field undetected. Chad explains that such factors, combined with the unique conditions of the formations, point to non-human involvement, adding to the ongoing mystery.
Chad discusses various theories and interpretations of crop circle patterns. A caller proposes that the simplest formations may be akin to teaching an alphabet, progressively evolving into more complex “sentences” as time passes. Some formations resemble hieroglyphic-like writing, with one translation reportedly stating, “Fill up your wells; there’s a drought coming.” Another caller mentions deciphering a message saying, “The serpent race returned,” from an early English formation. Chad acknowledges the intriguing nature of these theories but emphasizes the need for more robust data.
On a practical note, Chad provides advice for farmers and researchers, reiterating the importance of preserving formations for initial analysis before public access. He also highlights the geographical distribution of crop circles, noting their prevalence in South Central England, with only a few recorded in Scotland and Wales.
A caller suggests that crop circles might resemble schematics for electronic circuits or align with experiments involving orgone energy or radionics, as studied by Wilhelm Reich. Chad admits he hasn’t noticed schematic similarities but is open to the idea. He expresses frustration that if these formations are a form of communication, the messages are not conveyed in a comprehensible manner, such as in a known language or universally understood symbols.
Chad explores the possibility that crop circles could be projections from another dimension, as suggested by a caller. He acknowledges that the intelligence behind the formations might exist in a different dimensional plane and discusses efforts to analyze crop circles in three dimensions using computer modeling. This includes studying patterns and relationships within the formations, such as mathematical correlations based on the diatonic (musical) scale.
Chad mentions Gerald Hawkins’ work on the mathematical aspects of crop circles, noting that while no definitive conclusions have been reached, this line of research remains one of the most intriguing. He emphasizes that the patterns might represent a form of communication on a mathematical level, though their precise intent remains elusive.
A caller raises the question of prehistoric markings or indentations in grass fields observed near Stonehenge in 1977. Chad clarifies that these were likely burial mounds or remnants of ancient excavations, as they predate modern crop circles. He points out that crop circles do not leave indentations in the ground, as they involve bending crops without disturbing the soil.
Regarding the potential impact of radiation or energy, Chad notes that investigations have included studying microorganisms in the soil, as their sensitivity makes them potential indicators of anomalous energy. He highlights the ongoing efforts to uncover the true nature of these phenomena.
Chad concludes by summarizing the challenges in crop circle research, noting the lack of consistent evidence despite extensive investigations. While there have been minor anomalies, such as the two porcupine cases, no patterns definitively explain the phenomenon. He compares the effort to assembling a puzzle where many pieces are missing or do not fit together. The lack of observable effects on insects or microorganisms further deepens the mystery.
Chad expresses his determination to continue the research, planning a return to England for further investigations using advanced scientific techniques and instruments. He emphasizes the infectious nature of crop circle research, which compels investigators to persist despite the elusiveness of answers.
Art thanks Chad for his insights and promises to invite him back for updates. The program closes with a mention of the Bigelow Foundation’s involvement in supporting such research and an invitation to listeners to join the show again for future discussions on UFOs and related phenomena.