I watched this really cool nostalgic introspective about Art Bell and the impact he had on the people who lived in that time and place.

It might be easy to think that by entertaining conspiracy theories and magical thinking, he contributed to all this *motions around*.

I don't think so at all. I think that while he was broadcasting in that time and place, he was channeling all kinds of kookie ideas into a harmless form.

It wasn't until he left the air that Alex Jones and QAnon filled the space, to warp these tendencies towards authoritarian ends.

As this video partly points out, Art Bell gave an empathic and measured place for the weirdos, those who were still awake between midnight and 5am. He offered just enough skepticism and openness to keep these spooky spaces neutralized and benign. His empathy for every caller reminded listeners that we are all still human – that in spite of the vast space between us on lonely nights, we are connected.

So I got that subscription to Coast to Coast AM, and am on a bit of an Art Bell kick. As I listen, it's like night and day compared to today's grifter-led conspiracy spaces.

In terms of indulging my nostalgia and craving for liminal feelings that the Backrooms can only take so far, Art Bell is just what the doctor ordered.

https://youtu.be/G3M58o7r-w4

these dead malls, they speak of a time when a different future was foreseen for humanity. one in which people and shops still populate, and even build out and thrive in these malls. but that was how the future was. now these places will be cast away into the realm of the forgotten and wasted. like most products of this civilisation will be. like all of our personal belongings will be when we go the way that all organisms have to go one day. not knowing if even the memory will survive.

wondering what art historians will have to say about this phenomenon in the future. people of the future will be like: "why have you guys been looking at rendered pictures of empty rooms and hallways for hours on end?"

- "because the world was like it was back then."