The late Terence McKenna was an American ethnobotanist, lecturer, author, and advocate for the responsible use of psychedelic plants. McKenna spoke to Art from his off-grid home on the Big Island of Hawaii using voice over internet, at a speed of 6mbps, which was a near-miracle in 1998. McKenna called it a "model for the future" where people could work from home. He also discussed AI and the possibility that an alien intelligence could exist "as information" and enter our awareness via the internet.
McKenna also spoke about the history and effects of psychedelics such as mushrooms and DMT. He described how DMT allows the user to experience direct contact with an apparently alien intelligence. He believed psychedelics could transform society by showing people the "oneness" of reality and move them away from consumerism and meaningless toil. He also compared his theory of "time wave zero" to Art's concept of "the Quickening." Beginning in the second hour, McKenna answered questions from callers.