Art introduces his audience to a fun-filled show. He reminisces about the previous day’s show where he spontaneously opened an international line and interacted with callers from various global locations, including Japan, Norway, Canada, Mexico, and Okinawa. Art expresses his excitement to repeat this engaging activity, mentioning its dependency on ionospheric conditions, which tend to be favorable in winter due to fewer thunderstorms.
The conversation then shifts to the unusual weather patterns causing havoc across different parts of the United States. Art describes the extreme conditions, ranging from heavy snow and ice leading to severe flooding in areas like New York, West Virginia, and North Carolina, to high winds in Buffalo, New York, strong enough to damage the dome of the UN General Assembly building. He also highlights the bitter cold in the Midwest, with life-threatening temperatures in Minnesota and a drastic temperature drop in Chicago, which also suffered a tragic apartment fire.
Art criticizes the political manipulation of natural disasters and emergencies, exemplified by U.S. Secretary of Housing Henry Cisneros attributing the Chicago fire to the government shutdown and lack of building inspections. He rebukes the attempt to politicize tragedies and expresses disdain towards such behavior.
The segment concludes with a mention of the peaceful resolution of the hostage crisis in Turkey, contrasting it with a violent outcome in Russia, where a village was leveled.
Art Bell describes a violent conflict in Russia, where elite Russian troops, frustrated with their political leaders and facing communication issues, launched a heavy assault on Chechen rebels. This attack, involving tanks and rocket launchers, resulted in the death of 180 rebels, though 150, including the leader, escaped back to Chechnya. Art expresses his belief that the conflict in Chechnya is far from over and fears the potential escalation to nuclear or biological warfare.
Art then critiques Russian President Boris Yeltsin’s handling of the situation, contrasting it with U.S. President Bill Clinton’s statement that Russia is fundamentally a democracy. Art questions the timing and validity of this statement, given the recent brutal attack on the village in Russia.
Switching topics, Art discusses the concerns of the baby boomer generation about their retirement. He notes the alarming statistic that one boomer turns 50 every 75 seconds, with many unprepared financially for retirement. This lack of preparation, attributed to the generation’s ‘live for today’ mindset, raises questions about their future comfort and security. Art suggests that this anxiety could be shaping political opinions in the country, particularly regarding financial and social security matters.
Art then delves into intriguing scientific news from NASA’s Galileo probe, which survived an hour in Jupiter’s atmosphere and collected valuable data. This data, according to Art, may force scientists to reevaluate theories about the formation of the solar system, challenging established scientific beliefs such as the Big Bang theory. Art ponders the intersection of science and theology, considering how the hand of God might have been involved in creation. He expresses his view that theories of evolution and creation aren’t necessarily at odds, suggesting that divine creation could have set the natural processes in motion.
The show then turns to Ken Goddard, the director of the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Lab. Art talks about the lab’s work, including their studies on viruses, specifically one in Australia potentially lethal to rabbits and the implications if it jumps to humans.
Art recounts his previous experience with Paul Niskanen, praising the superb organization of a trip to China. He invites listeners who joined the trip to share their experiences and announces an upcoming Scandinavian-Russian cruise.
A caller named Mark from Phoenix expressing his fascination with astronomical events, particularly the Galileo probe and its implications for our understanding of the solar system’s formation. Art and Mark discuss the intersection of science and religion, pondering the role of a divine creator in the process of creation and evolution. They reflect on the mystery of creation and whether humanity is meant to fully understand it.
Art then humorously addresses faxes he has been receiving from people claiming to be immortal. He expresses his mild suspicion that there might be some truth to these claims, acknowledging that while some may be liars, others seem articulate and credible in their assertions of having lived for hundreds or even thousands of years.
The conversation shifts to a discussion about the potential for a virus in Australia, lethal to rabbits, to jump to other species, including humans. A caller raises concerns about the virus potentially affecting humans or other animals like kangaroos, drawing parallels to the Hantavirus and its transmission to humans.
Another caller inquires about the Galileo probe. Art reiterates the significant data it gathered from Jupiter’s atmosphere, emphasizing its potential to challenge existing theories about the formation of the solar system. The caller speculates about the role of centripetal force and the composition of planetary atmospheres, leading to a discussion about the conditions necessary for life.
One caller discusses the recent discovery by the Hubble telescope of planets 35 million light-years away that could potentially sustain life. They speculate about the nature of life on these planets, suggesting that any biological organism living there would need to be incredibly dense and strong. Art humorously proposes that such a being, if it came to Earth, would be akin to Superman, possessing extraordinary strength and resilience.
Another caller, Jeff from Milwaukee, updates Art on the local weather, describing a dramatic temperature drop. Art and Jeff ponder whether the extreme weather patterns are part of a natural cycle or the start of a significant climatic shift. Art expresses his belief that the following year could bring even worse weather conditions.
A caller from Indiana engages Art in a discussion about smoking and the difficulties of quitting. They also touch on the topic of a man who underwent a controversial medical procedure involving orangutan bone marrow. Art expresses interest in interviewing this individual, reflecting on the unpredictable outcomes of tampering with nature.
Art then mentions his plans to potentially host a show featuring a representative from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and someone from a militia or the so-called “Freemen” group. He hopes to create a dialogue between these different perspectives.
One caller humorously speculates that if a being from a planet with intense gravity were to visit Earth, they would be incredibly strong, akin to Superman, but also physically altered due to the gravitational differences, potentially being only 15 inches tall and six feet wide. This leads to a playful discussion about the physical adaptations required for life on different planets.
Art then reflects on his childhood dream of broadcasting on a 50,000-watt clear channel station, sharing his passion for radio and how he used to listen to distant stations on a seven-transistor radio. He expresses gratitude for achieving his dream, now broadcasting on numerous powerful stations across the nation.
Focusing on the show’s reach, Art decides to conduct an experiment similar to one he did the previous night, inviting international callers to share where they are listening from. He provides a special phone number for international calls and asks the domestic audience to refrain from using it, hoping to hear from listeners in distant locations like Okinawa, Johnston Island, Guam, and other far-flung places.
Art also revisits the topic of the Galileo probe, emphasizing the potential significance of its findings in Jupiter’s atmosphere. He highlights NASA’s upcoming announcement, which could challenge traditional scientific views on how the solar system was formed. Art expresses his curiosity about what these new revelations might be and how they could alter our understanding of the universe.
The segment concludes with Art reading a humorous fax about the “secret of antigravity,” involving the tendency of buttered bread to always land butter-side down and cats always landing on their feet.
The conversation then shifts to a more serious topic with the mention of articles in mainstream media about mind control. This piques Art’s interest, as he wonders about the potential existence and implications of mind control technologies.
Art also receives a request from a listener named Karen Carroll in Mesa, Arizona, to open up the “alien line,” a special call-in line for discussions about extraterrestrial life and related topics. Art agrees to open this line in the next hour, after his segment with Paul Niskanen discussing the upcoming trip.
The highlight of this segment is a call from someone at the Arctic Circle, near the Ekati Diamond Mine in Canada. The caller, amidst a humorous and slightly inebriated conversation, shares his observations about the local wildlife, particularly the muskox population. He also makes connections between various issues in the U.S., including militia movements, weather problems, and military policies, suggesting they are all interrelated.
The caller describes the extreme weather conditions in the Arctic, with temperatures around -43 degrees Celsius and significant snowfall, yet life continues without much disruption. He notes the lack of daylight during this time of year, with it being mostly dark but not completely pitch black.
Art takes a call from the Arctic Circle, where a group of individuals humorously conclude that Americans might be perceived as somewhat “wimpy” when it comes to dealing with harsh weather. The caller from the Arctic Circle, seemingly in a jovial mood with his companions, jokes about Canadians not having militias and not experiencing hysteria over extreme weather like Americans do. He playfully suggests that they might come down to the United States after finishing their bottle of Canadian Club.
Following this, Art receives a call from Jim in Monterrey, Mexico. Jim discusses the current situation in Mexico, highlighting issues such as poverty, ignorance, and corruption. He comments on the possibility of a revolution in Mexico, although he believes it’s not imminent. Jim also mentions that many Mexicans have bank accounts in the U.S. and might cross the border in case of trouble, but they are unlikely to create problems as they would be spending money in the U.S.
Art then gets a call from Perth, Australia, demonstrating the impressive international reach of his radio show. The Australian caller confirms that he is indeed in Perth and has been listening to the show, although not directly on the radio.
Art continues his international call-in session, speaking with a caller from Perth, Australia. The caller, initially believed to be a listener, reveals himself to be Stan Dale, a known figure to Art and his audience. They discuss the advent of video telephony, with Art mentioning his plans to experiment with this new technology, which would allow listeners like Stan to see him in real-time via a video call.
The conversation then shifts to the weather conditions in Australia, where Stan mentions it’s been exceptionally hot, reaching 108 degrees in the shade. Art, curious about global weather patterns, inquires whether this is normal for Australia, to which Stan responds that it’s typical for that part of the country.
Art and Stan then delve into a serious discussion about a rabbit virus outbreak in Australia. The virus, initially released on a small island to control the rabbit population, has reportedly begun to spread across the continent. Art reads a quote from a researcher expressing concern that the virus might jump to other hosts, potentially leading to a disaster. Stan notes that while rabbit viruses aren’t a new issue in Australia, he hasn’t seen much recent news about this particular outbreak but promises to keep an eye out for more information.
The segment ends on a light-hearted note as Stan jokes about experiencing nosebleeds, wondering if it’s related to the rabbit virus. Art encourages Stan to keep him updated on any new developments regarding the virus and the potential earthquake threats in the region.
A caller from Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba, tunes in on WJR Detroit using a Zenith Trans-Oceanic radio. The caller discusses listening to Art’s show for UFO sightings reports, mentioning a notable sighting in Lockport, north of Winnipeg. Art acknowledges the increasing frequency of UFO sightings globally, especially in Mexico, where hundreds of thousands of people report seeing UFOs daily.
The conversation then shifts to radio technology, with the caller mentioning his vintage Zenith radio equipped with tubes, a classic piece from 1948. Art highlights advancements in radio technology, noting newer transistor devices’ enhanced sensitivity and selectivity.
Another caller, from a location 150 miles north of Norway, tunes in from the high ranges on the dial, possibly picking up the broadcast from Seattle’s KOMO station, which could reach over the poles. The caller, an American, explains that he’s with his father, a geothermal expert surveying oil fields in the area. He mentions engaging in activities like cross-country skiing and plans to return to the U.S. in a few months.
Art continues to receive international calls, this time from a captain of a seismic survey vessel in Trinidad. The captain, John, explains his work off the east coast of Trinidad for the oil monopoly and a consortium of oil companies. He describes the seismic survey process, involving an array of transponders and receivers used to map the subsurface strata by sending shockwaves down into the ocean floor.
As John narrates an incident that occurred on December 28th, he mentions a piece of equipment, the Sir/Mr. Reef, which continuously measures salinity, temperature, and depth to ensure the accuracy of the sonic signals used in the survey. He reports that while conducting the survey, the Sir/Mr. Reef suddenly surfaced with alarms going off. As the team tried to reel in the equipment, the sea where it had been positioned lit up with a bright white light, visible even under the cloud cover and reflecting on the clouds, resembling a searchlight shining up from the sea.
John observed this phenomenon on radar and noted there were no countermeasures or anything unusual at the time. He expresses his curiosity and concern about what could have caused such an unusual and striking event in the ocean.
John describes encountering a large, unidentified object in the sea. He explains that during a seismic survey, their equipment, the Sir/Mr. Reef, surfaced unexpectedly after colliding with something solid. The side-scan sonar showed a large object, possibly metallic, which was not part of the seabed. John speculates that it could have been a submarine, but the size of the object suggested it was much larger, akin to a very large crude carrier.
The mysterious object appeared on their radar, about four miles behind the vessel, and remained there for about 20 minutes before disappearing. John expresses uncertainty about whether the object submerged or moved away, as they didn’t encounter it again during their subsequent surveys.
The conversation then shifts as Art opens what he calls the “alien/immortal line.” He shares a message from a caller who claims to be immortal, explaining how his soul can inhabit other people’s bodies through mutual agreement and leaves the body when it physically dies. Art invites credible and articulate aliens or immortals to call in, emphasizing that insincere or fake-sounding calls will be cut short.
Art also touches on recent scientific discoveries, including the announcement of two planets 35 light years away that might be capable of sustaining life, and upcoming information from NASA’s Galileo probe that could challenge our understanding of the solar system’s formation.
The segment concludes with a caller named Gary asking about the BBC’s frequencies for world band radio and discussing theories about Earth’s changing distance from the sun and its impact on weather patterns.
A caller named Gary brings up a scientific theory suggesting that the Earth is gradually moving closer to the Sun and slowing in its orbit, contributing to the worsening greenhouse effect and more violent weather patterns. Art agrees that even a slight shift in Earth’s position relative to the Sun could significantly impact life on Earth. Gary also mentions a study about declining sperm counts, questioning why such a critical issue isn’t more widely reported in the media.
Following this, Art addresses calls on the “alien/immortal line.” A caller claiming to be an alien from two galaxies away says he’s been stranded on Earth since 1966. He identifies himself as a scientist and suggests that humans should conduct medical experiments on humans instead of animals for more effective results. The caller, who appears to be around 50 years old, says his species has a slightly longer lifespan than humans and travels using electromagnetic craft.
Another caller speculates he might be an alien from the Zeta Reticuli star system but isn’t sure, leading Art to disqualify him, emphasizing the line is for those certain of their extraterrestrial origin.
Finally, a caller claims to be immortal and currently residing in California. He believes he is immortal based on his plans to be cryogenically frozen before death, a concept Art challenges by pointing out the uncertainties of cryonics and the possibility of freezer burn.
Art speaks with a caller claiming to be 1,000 years old and living in Nevada. The caller says he became immortal after being visited by extraterrestrials. He describes the experience as a “preset assignment,” suggesting a predestined agreement rather than voluntary participation. The caller asserts that being immortal is neither cool nor tiresome but dangerous, involving many trials and tribulations. He then mentions Project HAARP, predicting a catastrophic event in southern New York involving a radiation cloud from Manhattan Island, followed by a significant storm on the East Coast.
Another caller shares a personal story about being married to an immortal. He recounts a childhood memory of meeting a girl at a carnival with distinctive red shoes and auburn hair. Decades later, he encountered the same woman, unchanged in appearance, at a discussion group in Phoenix, Arizona. The caller claims they married but the relationship did not last.
One caller recounts a mysterious experience from his past. He met a woman who appeared not to have aged over the years. He first saw her as a girl at a carnival and then, decades later, encountered her again, unchanged. He married her, but they eventually divorced. Years later, he saw her yet again, still looking the same age, with a daughter who appeared to be her sister due to the lack of aging. The caller, now 65, remains puzzled by her seemingly eternal youth.
Another caller claims to be an alien, suggesting a connection with the devil and mentioning cattle mutilations. Art, skeptical of the caller’s credibility, questions his claims and motives.
A third caller, John, asserts he is 2,000 years old and knew Christ. He believes his immortality was granted by the will of God after he asked for it. John sees his prolonged life as a blessing that allows him to do God’s work and spread his word. However, he also acknowledges the challenges and burdens of living for such an extended period.
A caller from Fremont, California, named Steven inquires about how to access the show’s chat channel but unfortunately doesn’t have a computer. He also recalls a previous call where he shared an extraordinary story about a bird laying an egg in his hand.
Another caller claims to be both immortal and alien, asserting he has been traveling back and forth through time and other dimensions. He struggles to explain the concept of time from his perspective, suggesting it differs significantly from human understanding. The caller indicates that “extraterrestrial” is just a label humans have applied to certain entities, urging humans to look back at the wisdom of ancient peoples who understood how to journey and communicate with the mysteries of the world.
One caller claims to be immortal and an alien, stating that he has been around since time began and exists beyond all time and space. He suggests that he makes up stories as part of his immortal nature, leading Art to dismiss him as a “congenital liar.”
Another caller, curious about the HAARP system, mentions rumors from Alaska that it’s being used to manipulate the weather. The caller also shares a historical tidbit, suggesting that the only two U.S. presidents who weren’t Masons were Kennedy and Lincoln.
The show then receives a call from a man who believes his wife might be immortal or reincarnate. He describes her as having clairvoyant abilities, including predicting when they will receive money and foreseeing his injuries. He recounts an instance where she had a vision of their car being upside down on the road, which made them reconsider a planned trip.
One caller shares his plans to attend Art’s book signing in Portland on his birthday and inquires about purchasing the book at the event. Art mentions considering pre-selling books with a special mark and will update listeners as plans are finalized.
Another caller discusses the comet Hale-Bopp, referencing an article in Astronomy Magazine. He expresses disappointment, stating the comet might not be as spectacular as initially anticipated. Art responds by highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Hale-Bopp’s behavior and visibility, mentioning the varying estimations about its size and trajectory.
A caller from Portland mentions a book by Eugene Shoemaker, a renowned authority on asteroids and comets, and suggests Art invite him as a guest. The caller describes a doomsday scenario from the book involving a super comet entering our solar system and the potential catastrophic consequences of Earth passing through its debris.
Art concludes the segment by promoting an upcoming show featuring Ken Goddard, the director of the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Lab. He hints at discussing the Australian rabbit virus and other viruses, comparing the lab’s secretive nature to the settings described in the book “The Hot Zone.”
A caller from London, England, discusses hearing about the rabbit virus epidemic in Australia and its historical occurrence in England back in 1954. He also shares an interesting anecdote about the Concorde’s takeoff setting off car alarms in London.
The show then shifts back to the “immortal/alien” line, where a female caller claims she is immortal. She recounts her life starting in the 1920s as a prostitute and describes a traumatic event where she was attacked and left for dead. She recalls waking up unharmed and realizing that she had undergone a significant transformation. Since then, she claims to have lived for over a hundred years, appearing as a young woman in her twenties.
The caller also shares her experience of marrying wealthy older men and inheriting their wealth after their passing. She talks about the challenges of her condition, such as her husbands eventually noticing that she does not age.
Gabriela shares her story of living for over a hundred years, appearing as a 22-year-old woman. She recounts how she survived a traumatic event in the 1920s and mysteriously stopped aging. Gabriela talks about the difficulties of her condition, including the challenges of maintaining relationships and seeing loved ones age and pass away while she remains young.
Gabriela also discusses her encounters with other beings whom she believes want to destroy immortals like her. She expresses a desire to understand the purpose of her prolonged life and considers attending Art’s book signing in Portland but worries about revealing her identity.
A caller named Mike from Portola, California, brings up a controversial idea about population control through the introduction of a lethal disease. Art engages with this thought experiment, pondering the moral implications of such a decision. The conversation delves into the hypothetical scenario where one has to choose between releasing a lethal organism to control the population or facing the environmental collapse due to overpopulation.
Another caller claims to be an alien from a distant star system, providing a fantastical account of their arrival on Earth. The caller mentions crashing in Roswell, New Mexico, and explains that their species uses human blood plasma as a form of energy, which they inhale from their atmosphere. This, according to the caller, is the reason behind cattle mutilations as cattle blood plasma is similar to human blood. The caller also touches on intergalactic conflicts and refers to a well-known incident involving a space shuttle and a supposed missile, indicating their species’ involvement.
One caller requests Art Bell’s fax number to send a three-page document for review. Art provides his fax number and also shares his email address (artbell@aol.com) for other listeners who might want to reach out to him.
Another caller claims to be immortal and recounts an experience from childhood where an elderly man told him he would never die. The caller also mentions a random encounter at a mall where a stranger, supposedly able to see auras, identified him as immortal. He believes he has a significant mission that will reveal itself in a few years, adding an air of mystery to his claim.
A caller named Mike from Madison suggests that Art should seek out a climatologist to provide insights into the current weather changes. Art acknowledges the suggestion, noting the importance of understanding the weather’s impact.