You summarized my feelings as well. I used to love listening to Coast to Coast with my roommates. We would mostly get high and listen to the interviews and callers. It was late at night. For a period of time, we were in a liminal space that allowed us to disconnect from the real world for a while.
Now, I think you can trace a line from Coast to Coast to The Big Lie, Instagram gurus espousing crystals and astrology, and Qanon believers.
To be clear, I don’t think Coast to Coast created that culture. It’s fun to entertain Fortean ideas and a fascination with the paranormal has always existed. But weak-minded people have a tough time discerning fantasy from reality, and the internet and social media make it easier for them to get lost in the rabbit hole.
