Recap

Open Lines & A World With No Humans

Filling in for George, Ian Punnett hosted an evening of Open Lines. Sarah in New York played a reverse speech audio clip from Ian's 10/6/07 chat with Jon Jefferson, author of Beyond the Body Farm. According to Sarah, when part of Jefferson's interview is played backwards the phrases "terrible substance in them" and "has all the toxins in it" can be heard.

Deborah in Indianapolis commented on Sarah's reverse speech audio clip, as well as shared a story about a friend who claimed to have escaped death when her car miraculously went through a truck that was about to hit her. Jerry, a pastor in North Carolina, talked about the power of prayer to bring about the speedy death of persons suffering from terminal illnesses. Several callers phoned in to discuss what they perceive as a loss of rights in America.

During the first hour and a half, Ian spoke with author Alan Weisman about his book, The World Without Us, in which he imagines what our planet would be like if people suddenly vanished.

According to Weisman, most of the world's 440 nuclear power plants would meltdown within one week of humankind's disappearance, wreaking unprecedented environmental destruction. New York City's subway system would fill with water only days after our departure, causing the streets and buildings above to collapse. Rivers, trees and wildlife would once again return to cover the Big Apple, Weisman said.