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From the High Desert book cover

From the High Desert

A Cultural History of Art Bell

Thumbnail for January 25, 1998: Reverse Speech - David John Oates | Dreams - Trish & Rob MacGregor

January 25, 1998: Reverse Speech - David John Oates | Dreams - Trish & Rob MacGregor

Jan 25, 1998
1h 33m
0:00 / 0:00
Reverse speech analyst David John Oates examines Clinton-Lewinsky audio reversals with Art Bell before authors Trish and Rob MacGregor discuss dreams, literal dream warnings, lucid dreaming, and out-of-body experiences. Oates plays recordings of President Clinton, Mike McCurry, Al Gore, and George Stephanopoulos speaking forward, then reveals hidden messages embedded in the reversed audio. Among the most striking findings are McCurry saying "damn him, this is ugly and a mess" and Clinton producing several coarse reversals that suggest deception about the nature of his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Oates explains the fundamentals of reverse speech, demonstrating how the unconscious mind constructs clear phrases within normal conversation at intervals of every ten to fifteen seconds. He shares examples ranging from baby speech to Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface, and recounts the personal dangers he has faced pursuing this research, including his house being burned to the ground.

In the second half, authors Trish and Rob MacGregor join to discuss their book on dreams. They explore flying dreams, out-of-body experiences, recurring dream patterns, and the fine line between lucid dreaming and astral travel. Callers share vivid personal accounts of prophetic dreams and unexplained nighttime encounters.

Key Moments

  1. Al Gore reversal on Clinton: 'his awful pride, I don't deserve it': Oates plays Vice President Al Gore's MLK Day speech announcing a civil rights enforcement initiative with Clinton, reversed to 'his awful pride, I don't deserve it.'

  2. Mike McCurry reversal: 'damn him, this is ugly and a mess': Oates plays White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry's first press conference on the Lewinsky scandal forward, then in reverse, hearing 'damn him, this is ugly and a mess.'

  3. Stephanopoulos reverses to 'grave fate': Oates plays George Stephanopoulos's televised warning that the allegations could lead to impeachment, reversed to a clipped two-word phrase: 'grave fate.'

  4. Clinton's denial reversed: 'I see that we're broken': Oates plays Clinton's 'There is no improper relationship' denial in reverse, hearing 'I see that we're broken,' with the president's voice cracking on the word 'broken.'

  5. Clinton reversal: 'make her swallow, you trash': Oates plays Clinton on PBS NewsHour denying the Jones charges, reversed to allegedly say 'make her swallow, you trash, and easy roll.'