There Goes BellGab

[Smokin Hot Bob]

The BellGab Archive is revived. Celebration is in order or at least the clink of a glass or two.

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

[KSM]

The BellGab Archive is revived. Celebration is in order or at least the clink of a glass or two.

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

That is a different template than the board was. I don't like it. Why would anyone clink a glass or two over anything like that? It was there. It was sorta fun for a while. Then it was gone. I think that's enough.

I will say that it was sort of fun being banned for three weeks about six months into my membership in COASTGAB. @Bart Ell was banned several times the later released BELL gab. Only way he'd learn.

[Smokin Hot Bob]

That is a different template than the board was. I don't like it. Why would anyone clink a glass or two over anything like that? It was there. It was sorta fun for a while. Then it was gone. I think that's enough.

I will say that it was sort of fun being banned for three weeks about six months into my membership in COASTGAB. @Bart Ell was banned several times the later released BELL gab. Only way he'd learn.

Any idea as to the bellchan reference?

[Walks_At_Night]

That is a different template than the board was. I don't like it.

I like that I am in first place in the posts.  As it should be........

[Smokin Hot Bob]

Was Bart completely expunged? He did have a reputation.
.
HACK COURT: THE SUMMONING OF BART ELL

https://www.bellgab.com/index.php?topic=12442.0

[KSM]

Any idea as to the bellchan reference?

Although I cannot speak for MV I always took it as a sort of trope after a wave of new members flooded the place and suddenly we weren't in Kansas anymore. Things were less about C2C and Art as it morphed into a "den of vipers" message board.  New members were 4-Channers..  I guess   *shrug*

I like that I am in first place in the posts.  As it should be........

HA! Yeah I saw that. And ya still walkin' at night!

Was Bart completely expunged? He did have a reputation.
.
HACK COURT: THE SUMMONING OF BART ELL

https://www.bellgab.com/index.php?topic=12442.0

That's Deacon posting that. Like the cast out 1/3 the fucking goofballs couldn't behave here so they were banned by September of 18 and seemingly bitter about it? Fuckers have always gotten way too wrapped up in all this gab shit. Right? And the slow weeding out of the Tootsie Wootsie's and the cunts from NJ.

I should be banned just for going to New Jersey every second or so summer.

[Bart Ell]

@Bart Ell was banned several times the later released BELL gab. Only way he'd learn.

I wuzza bad boy.

[Smokin Hot Bob]

Some interesting objective opinion.

Creating a Community Inspired by Bell Gab

Nostalgia for BellGab | Users Yearn for Thriving Community

A wave of reminiscence envelops online forums as former members express their longing for the vibrant community once found on BellGab. As users share memories and grievances, the conversation reveals more than just nostalgia; it also highlights conflicts and concerns surrounding current platforms.

Reminiscing About the Glory Days
Some users recall the excitement surrounding Art Bell's return to radio, which energized the BellGab community. "I remember the excitement when Art was returning to radio with Sirius," one commenter noted, emphasizing how those moments brought people together. However, many feel a stark contrast to today’s environment on sites like EllGab, which has failed to recreate that sense of connection.

Interestingly, members shared a collective disappointment regarding the change in topic focus on platforms they once thrived in. One user lamented about the shift, stating, "It used to be fun when the Politics thread stayed in its own little zone now it seems to have taken over the entire site." This encapsulates the frustrations felt by many who long for a community untouched by divisive politics.

Declining Engagement and Contentious Spaces
Despite previous allure, forums like EllGab struggle to maintain active engagement. A significant sentiment among commenters is that the conversation is now dominated by a few individuals, creating an echo chamber. One member remarked that the site has become just another right-wing message board, pushing away those who might hold differing views.

“Hardly anyone posts on EllGab, and there only seems to be a bare handful of regular posters,” one user pointed out, adding to the growing concern about dwindling participation.

Exploring Potential Solutions
Given the current state of online discussion groups, some users are contemplating the possibility of starting a new community altogether. The desire for a fresh space, one that embraces diverse views while celebrating the weird and wonderful, remains strong. “I want to build a community like that,” another user expressed, reflecting the ongoing hope for revival.

This begs the question: Is it possible to recreate the camaraderie that once defined BellGab, or have those days faded into memory?

Key Insights
◇ Many members miss the excitement surrounding the early days of BellGab.

▼ Current participation on platforms like EllGab is notably low.

☆ Users are eager to build new communities, reflecting a strong desire for connection.

As 2025 progresses, the debate continues on how to foster meaningful interactions and create inclusive spaces online. Distinct voices may still echo in forums dedicated to the supernatural and unexplained, but the challenge remains for communities to adapt and grow.

What Lies Ahead for Online Communities?
There’s a strong chance that we will see the emergence of new forums that prioritize inclusiveness and diverse perspectives. As frustrations grow on current platforms, many are likely to seek alternatives that foster genuine conversation without the divisiveness seen today. Experts estimate around 60% of users are considering moving to new spaces if they can find ones that replicate the camaraderie of the old BellGab. This shift may not happen overnight, but as discussions continue to unfold, a push for healthier online interactions could reshape how communities form and thrive.

A Refreshing Historical Reflection
In some ways, this situation mirrors the early days of punk rock in the late 1970s. Just as music fans grew tired of the mainstream sound dominated by polished pop, they craved a return to raw and honest music that reflected their true selves. This led to the birth of DIY music scenes across the globe, with communities forming around shared experiences and authentic expression. Similarly, those longing for the camaraderie of BellGab might just spearhead the creation of new spaces that embrace the quirks of the paranormal while keeping divisive elements at bay.

Source: Naomi Chen Dec 1, 2025 Mystery Lores

https://mysterylores.com/news/building-bellgab-inspired-community

[KSM]

Some interesting objective opinion.

https://mysterylores.com/news/building-bellgab-inspired-community

Interesting. Good find. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that I am the member referred to with regards to the "dwindling participation" remark which was commentary and not a longing for so-called good ol days.

But seriously, don't you think Bellgab (before that CoastGab and before that, George Noory Sucks) was a different story because much of the conversation way back then centered around C2C with ART BELL while he was still alive and even guest hosting Coast on weekends? Art certainly fostered drama whether intentional or not which also fed the beast for a few years with the Dark Matter and MITD happenings.

Does anyone really long for all that again? Once was enough and the lightning in a bottle that was Art in the 90's was a one time happening survived only by nerds like me with AB collections/libraries.

[PB]

... Does anyone really long for all that again?...

Only if we can get weekly updates on rods and moth man.

[JUAN]

That was then - when it was a problem to get 4mb of memory to install Win95, but Art told us how to do it.

[KSM]

Only if we can get weekly updates on rods and moth man.

Oh Good Lord, Rods! yip.

 I have the John Keel Mothman book but have yet to read it. It's been lonely for over 15 years on the shelf among the other books that have been read, some of them more than once. Can't bring myself to read about the Moth....MAN, man.

That was then - when it was a problem to get 4mb of memory to install Win95, but Art told us how to do it.

I liked those mid 90's classics. Listening a few days ago Art was pushing the climate change thing several years before the Superstorm book and movie. He had no financial incentive at the time so evidently he drank that kool-aid years before he stood to make any $$$ on the subject.

[Morgus]

That was then - when it was a problem to get 4mb of memory to install Win95, but Art told us how to do it.

I remember when Art Bell had an early studio webcam (pre-internet) where you used a dial-up modem to a special phone number and got to watch Art in a tiny window video for a couple minutes and you could type text messages to him while watching!

[JUAN]

Yes, Art and Keith were pioneers in streaming.