The Micah Hanks Program

This week, we lead off with reports from the Storm Area 51 Event outside of Rachel, Nevada which, fortunately, resulted in no actual attempts at infiltrating the high-security installation in the Nevada desert. We also report on how genetics is helping construct the clearest picture ever of a mysterious group of ancient human ancestors; also, Google has reportedly achieved "quantum superiority," but what does this actually mean, and what could it indicate for the future of computation?

Then later in the program, we turn our attention to one of the most chilling cold cases of all time: In the first days of February 1959, an experienced group of hikers from the Ural Polytechnical Institute were trekking along the slopes of Kholat Syakhl in Russia's Ural mountains. While the ultimate cause of their deaths remains unknown, investigators arriving on the scene days later found evidence that something had caused the group to cut their way out of their tent, rushing into heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures despite many being underdressed and even barefoot.

Known today as the Dyatlov Pass Incident, the case remains unsolved after sixty years. In February of 2019, Russian authorities announced that they planned to reinvestigate several possible solutions to the mystery, all of which were weather-related. But could there be more to this long-standing unsolved mystery, and what can be made of the many bizarre claims that have surfaced over the years about strange lights in the skies, and other haunting stories about the area known today as Dyatlov Pass?

• Area 51 festival wraps up in Nevada; Earthlings head home
• First-Ever Reconstruction of a Denisovan Shows What These Ancient Human Ancestors Looked Like
• Google claims it has finally reached quantum supremacy
• Russia reopens investigation into 60-year-old Dyatlov Pass Incident

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On this edition of the program, news of a mysterious rash of earthquakes in a small Southern town has many locales wondering what might be rumbling below. However, it has Micah asking whether anybody in the affected area has been looking up... we also touch on a recent confirmation provided by the U.S. Navy to researcher John Greenewald about unusual objects depicted in three pieces of footage its fighter pilots obtained... and which apparently were never meant to be released to the public.

Then Micah recaps his recent trip to the Marion, North Carolina Sasquatch festival, where a variety of local art, crafts, and colorful characters were all on display, in tribute to America's most famous (and reclusive) hairy biped. We cover some of the events, as well as the claims by the research community present at the event, before shifting our attention over to the subject of "alien big cats", involving sightings of large, black cats in various parts of the Americas. In fact, Micah was recently treated to a remarkable story by a man who shared not only one, but two sightings of large black cats resembling melanistic jaguars or cougars in parts of rural Western North Carolina. Could there really be exotic looking large cats that range further north into parts of the United States?

Then in hour two, after touching on the exciting discovery of a new interstellar object that may have entered our solar system, Dr. Brian Keating of the Simons Observatory joins us to discuss his passion for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), which he explains as being not merely the search for aliens, but the quest to find evidence of their techno-signatures, which may help astronomers finally prove that sophisticated alien technologies may exist in our universe. In addition to his views on the SETI program, Dr. Keating also gives us his views on the so-called "Sagan Effect", many problems with science and the peer review process, and an update on the forthcoming Nobel Prize season, a topic covered in his book Losing the Nobel Prize: A Story of Cosmology, Ambition, and the Perils of Science's Highest Honor.

Below are links to stories discussed on this week's program:

• Six earthquakes in five days reported near this Western North Carolina town
• Ex-Google worker fears 'killer robots' could cause mass atrocities
• Dutchmen arrested at secret US airbase Area 51 with drones and cameras
• Stealth or spaceship? Here's what that 'UFO' you saw may really be
• Unidentified: U.S. Navy Confirms The Objects in These Videos Can't Be Explained
• Bigfoot In NC: Man Says He Caught Video Proof West Of Charlotte
• Oumuamua 2.0? There's a New Interstellar Object Passing Through the Solar System
• Homepage of the SETI Institute
• The Official Website of Dr. Brian Keating

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This week, we lead off with the appetizing subject of cannibalism, and why a Swedish professor and climate researcher recently argued that it might be in humanity's future... an idea that even the most environmentally-minded among us just can't get behind. Although looking back to the ancient past, news from earlier this year certainly showed that it happened with Neanderthals. Also in news of ancient discoveries, we find an unusual artifact from a site in Russia named after fabled Atlantis which bears a striking resemblance to modern technology.

Then later in the program, we are joined by author and researcher Laird Scranton, whose recent work in comparative cosmologies of world cultures has led him to some interesting conclusions about the Maori culture, New Zealand's indigenous people. Are there links that can be found in the Maori language, and parts of the ancient world, specifically ancient Egypt, India, and Eurasia?

Scranton is the author of Decoding Maori Cosmology: The Ancient Origins of New Zealand's Indigenous Culture, which examines all of these themes. Scranton's previous work has traced many world cosmologies far enough back that links to the enigmatic Gobekli Tepe are strongly implied, as well as connections to North Atlantic archaeological sites that remain curious to us today. But what do all of these have to do with the Maori of New Zealand? We look at these questions and many more on this edition of The Micah Hanks Program.

Below are links to stories discussed on this week's program:

• Professor Says Eating Human Flesh Will Save Planet From 'Climate Change'
• Neanderthals Resorted to Cannibalism in the Face of Climate Change
• Archeologist in awe at 2,100 year old iPhone-like belt buckle unearthed in Atlantis grave in Tuva
• Ocean research facility mysteriously vanishes from the Baltic Sea floor
• Navy withholding data on UFO sightings, Congressman says
• Alien civilizations may have explored the galaxy and visited Earth already, a new study says
• Dead Sea Scrolls used salts that were not found in the region of their discovery
• Strange life-forms found deep in a mine point to vast "underground Galapagos"

Episode art via Wikimedia Commons/Flickr CC 2.0.

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This week on the program, as we begin to engage for hurricane season here in the Carolinas, we lead off with news that includes a 3.8-million-year-old early human ancestor, as well as a few items from the "crypto-corner" and the world of nature and physics. Then getting to the heart of the discussion, Micah brings the listeners along for an adventure into the heart of one America's most scenic--and mysterious--wilderness locations: The Linville Gorge.

Outlining the curious history of this protected wilderness, we begin with the history of the Brown Mountain Lights, a unique earthlight phenomenon that is purported to occur in the Gorge, and which Micah has studied now for a number of years. We also discuss some of the Cherokee legends and folklore about the area, in addition to stories of unusual animal sightings as Micah sends "dispatches from the road" in true Maverick Podcasting style.

Parts of the Linville Gorge were also featured in the documentary series Hellier, in which stars Greg and Dana Newkirk accompanied Micah to some of his famous locations along the rugged cliffs and caves of the Gorge. We cover the history of some of the local folklore that has caused so much intrigue about the location, beginning with the story of Ralph Lael, an early "contactee" who claimed not only to have met alien beings, but even possessed what some called an "alien mummy." Micah's extensive research into this topic leads us to a very different conclusion about this unusual item of esoterica... we also discuss odd rumors about an "underground base" in the region, and how they stemmed from an obscure book published in the late 1970s.

Finally, as our story reaches its climax, Micah returns--alone--to an eerie cave location for the first time in years, documenting the experience in podcast form and rounding out an adventure story sure to entertain both intrepid mountain climbers and armchair scholars alike.

Below are links to stories discussed on this week's program:

• Hurricane Dorian Still Pummeling Northwestern Bahamas as Outer Rainbands Reach Florida Coast
• Hurricanes drive the evolution of more aggressive spiders
• A 3.8-million-year-old skull reveals the face of Lucy's possible ancestors
• Hunt for Nessie: DNA narrows mystery of beast to one theory
• An anonymous flyer denies Bigfoot is the reason for bridge closure
• Compasses at Greenwich Are About to Do Something Not Observed in Over 300 Years
• 'UFOs' Are Flying Out from Supermassive Black Holes and Reshaping Galaxies

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On this edition of The Micah Hanks Program, after a re-cap of Micah's recent visit to a Bigfoot conference, we touch on the fires that have been devastating the Amazon jungles for the last several weeks, as well as NASA's investigation of what could be the first crime committed in space. Also, we report on RNA that was recently sequenced from a wolf-hybrid puppy that lived more than 14,000 years ago, and why it has become the latest landmark achievement in genetic science.

Then getting into the discussion of anomalies in archaeology, we begin with a look at a peculiar story about a Wisconsin lake, which involves many local divers who, for decades now, have said they have observed a series of pyramid-like stone structures at the bottom of Rock Lake. The archaeological community has dismissed the stories, noting the likelihood that these are merely stones piles that were deposited at the end of the last ice age; but has the potential for actual structures of unknown provenance been completely ruled out?

This leads us to the Rock Lake enigma's connection with a nearby archaeological site called Azatlan, which shares its name with the fabled original homeland of the Aztecs. Some look at this aspect of the Aztec mythology as being similar to the fabled Atlantis, which philosopher Plato wrote about centuries ago; but whether or not Atlantis really existed, there are some remarkable archaeological discoveries being made today which suggest that people in the ancient world were far more well-traveled than we once thought.

Curious legends like those of the pre-Inca tradition of "Viracocha" have perplexed scholars with their hinting at possible interactions between different cultures in the ancient world. Such stories were also what fueled Thor Heyerdahl to sail across the Pacific Ocean, to prove that ancient people might have done the same. Could early migrations into the Americas have occurred much earlier than once thought, and perhaps with the help of ancient sailing vessels? And if so, where did some of those early arrivals come from originally?

Below are links to stories discussed on this week's program:

• Amazon rainforest fire: What's happening now and how you can help
• Nasa said to be investigating first allegation of a crime in space
• Scientists Sequence RNA of 14,300-Year-Old Wolf Puppy
• Viracocha and the Legendary Origins of the Inca
• Epic pre-Columbian voyage suggested by genes

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This week on The Micah Hanks Program, we lead off with news of law enforcement in New York City collecting DNA from a number of individuals without their knowledge or permission, and the controversy that has ensued since news reports about the operation came to light. While on the subject of genetics, we also look at the controversial studies conducted by Spanish scientists in China where the successful initial stages of hybridizing a human-monkey chimera were achieved. What are the ethical considerations here, and why does the news have some members of the scientific community concerned?

Then for the latter portion of the program, we shift our attention over to the landmark film 2001: A Space Odyssey as we seek answers to how science fiction influences engineering, scientific discoveries, and the future of space travel. At the center of the conversation is the eerie "monolith" depicted in the film, the appearance of which marks changes in human evolution over millennia by a mysterious, "alien" force. Arguably, many of the greatest discoveries in the history of science drew initial inspiration from creativity; much like the monolith itself, we explore questions like whether the mere interest humans have in the possible existence of extraterrestrial life is enough to drive our innovation and discoveries in the direction of profound new technologies... perhaps such advancements could one day even reshape our idea of what it means to be "human."

Below are links to stories discussed on this week's program:

• Police are collecting DNA from people without telling them
• N.Y.P.D. Detectives Gave a Boy, 12, a Soda. He Landed in a DNA Database
• Spanish scientists create human-monkey chimera in China
• 6 Reasons Astrobiologists Are Holding Out Hope for Life on Mars
• Europa Clipper's Mission to Jupiter's Icy Moon Confirmed
• Michael Benson: "What 2001 Got Right."
• Keir Dullea on "The Broken Glass"

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This week, leading off with news we take a look at the incredible "Goliath" frogs in Cameroon that recently revealed a surprising secret... we also look at a "sorcerer's treasure trove" recovered from the famous and ill-fated archaeological site of Pompeii. We then examine how the latest A.I. is able to predict the success of certain films; and based on the results, it's a good thing they aren't predicting who will commit future crimes… yet. We then shift our attention over to a Buddhist temple in Japan that is reaching an all-new and younger audience with the help of a "robot priest." This seems fitting since most people appear to already worship the technology around them here in the West.

Then getting to the heart of the discussion this week, we are joined by Brett Tingley, an investigative writer for sites that include The Warzone, whose recent articles on a series of mysterious U.S. Navy patents have been raising questions… and eyebrows. At the center of this unfolding story is the mysterious inventor behind the patents, Salvatore Pais, whose work Tingley has been chronicling now in articles that feature his probing for answers about the novel technologies Dr. Pais is said to have developed.

The fact that they are nearly identical to alleged technologies long discussed in UFO reports is probably no coincidence: we take a deep look at this developing story, and what it could have to do with technologies in development by foreign superpowers like China on this edition of The Micah Hanks Program.

Below are links to stories discussed on this week's program:

• The world's biggest frogs build their own ponds
• Pompeii archaeologists uncover 'sorcerer's treasure trove'
• A.I. predicts which movies will succeed—and fail—simply from plot summaries
• Playing god: Japan temple puts faith in robot priest
• Docs Show Navy Got 'UFO' Patent Granted By Warning Of Similar Chinese Tech Advances
• Navy's Advanced Aerospace Tech Boss Claims Key UFO Patent is Operable

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This week on The Micah Hanks Program, we bring news of an exciting discovery: a new species of dinosaur was recently unearthed from the depths... of a museum's archives. This reminds us of the strange affair of the "Pangboche Yeti Hand," a portion of which was smuggled out of Tibet decades ago by legendary tracker Peter Byrne, along with the help of actor Jimmy Stewart. The relic met a similar fate, where it languished in a museum archive for decades before its rediscovery.

We then turn our attention to disturbing reports of cattle deaths out of Oregon, which bear all the markings of such "classic" mutilations... apart from the initial reports that indicated the animals had apparently been shot in the head. This was later amended, when further reporting on the strange animal deaths featured supposition by law enforcement that the creatures might have been poisoned, but not by any conventional or unintended means. It's time that we get to the bottom of the mutilations, the senseless killing of livestock, and the destruction of property that their deaths entail.

Then later in the program, "Russian meddling" is a common term we hear in the news today, many are unaware that for decades, the Russians secretly used the UFO phenomenon as a means to try and destabilize the West. But why did the Soviet Union fabricate tales of aliens and feed them to the Pentagon, and does the UFO meddling still continue to this day?

Joining us to discuss this is Nick Redfern, author of more than forty books that include Area 51: The Revealing Truth of UFOs, Secret Aircraft, Cover-Ups & Conspiracies and his latest book, Flying Saucers from the Kremlin: UFOs, Russian Meddling, Soviet Spies & Cold War Secrets. Nick has appeared on many TV shows, including the BBC's Out of This World; the SyFy Channel's Proof Positive; the History Channel's Monster Quest, America's Book of Secrets and UFO Hunters; the National Geographic Channel's Paranatural; and MSNBC's Countdown.

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It's been a long time in the making… and we're excited to finally make the big announcement: introducing The Micah Hanks Program, the new weekly podcast and official audio offering from Micah Hanks and The Gralien Report.

Although the name has changed, the newly rechristened podcast will continue to offer even more news and insight into the realms of space, science, ancient mysteries, and the unexplained, along with articles, videos, and other content provided by The Gralien Report, the official website of our long-running enterprise.

And to help break in the new and improved podcast, we kick things off with a journey back in time, as Micah takes us to the mysterious "Cradle of Humanity" in Eastern Africa, where millions of years ago our earliest human ancestors first appeared. Over the course of the next several hundreds of thousands of years, these mysterious early humans spread across the globe, eventually making their way to every continent. But just how early did humans set foot in the Americas, and were anatomically modern humans even the first to do so?

To answer these questions, we look at some of the most controversial archaeological sites in the world, which are also alleged to be the oldest in North America. Disputed by most scholars today, these sites—if confirmed—would dramatically shift our understanding of ancient human migrations. They may also cause us to have to rethink the mobility of ancient early human groups like the Neanderthals, as well as the mysterious Denisovans, each of which is believed to have disappeared nearly 40,000 years ago. But what if these hominid groups, or perhaps even unknown varieties similar to them, existed far more recently? What would this mean in terms of the broader human story… and even claims of sightings of primitive, bipedal primates that persist in modern times?

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This week on the program, as a deadly heatwave has been sweeping across the country we look at what's been happening in the news, including a brief tribute to the life and work of Rosemary Ellen Guiley, who suddenly passed away late last week at the age of 69. Our heart goes out to the many friends and family members who thought fondly of her; she will certainly be missed.

Then we shift our attention to the remarkable achievements of the crew of Apollo 11. 50 years ago this week, NASA put men on the moon in one of the greatest technological achievements of the 20th century; joining us to discuss the Apollo 11 anniversary is Rod Pyle, the editor-in-chief of Ad Astra, the official publication of the National Space Society, and author of a number of books that include Heroes of the Space Age, Space 2.0, Interplanetary Robots,and several others.

Rod has a Master's Degree from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Art Center College of Design. He studied astronomy and geology at UCLA, and worked in public outreach at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. Rod also designed and wrote the Apollo Leadership Development Experience in association with The Conference Board and NASA's Johnson Space Center. Rod has written at length about the Apollo missions, and his latest book, First on the Moon: The Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Experience, can be found at his website.

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