Last Update on the Left - Episode 9 - The Unabomber | Last Podcast On The Left Brief

Key Takeaways

Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, killed 3 and injured 23 people over 17 years before his 1995 arrest.
Kaczynski spent years in Supermax prison, corresponding with Timothy McVeigh and maintaining a reclusive demeanor.
His personal belongings, including his iconic hoodie and cabin, were auctioned, raising thousands for his victims.
Kaczynski died in 2023 from rectal cancer, reportedly by stopping treatment and later by suicide via hanging.
Allegations suggest Kaczynski's anti-social traits may stem from CIA MKUltra psychological experiments at Harvard.

The episode introduces Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, and discusses the unusual eating habits of serial killers in prison, noting Kaczynski was a vegetarian who foraged for food.
Interest in serial killers extends beyond their crimes to their lives post-conviction, a phenomenon explored in the episode.
Serial killers like Richard Ramirez and John Wayne Gacy reportedly maintain influence and notoriety from within prison, cultivating followings and engaging other inmates in their activities.

Ted Kaczynski was held in Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, also known as the 'Alcatraz of the Rockies,' alongside inmates such as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
Kaczynski maintained friendly correspondence with Timothy McVeigh, exchanging writings and books, including 'Tainting Evidence Inside the Scandals of the FBI Crime Lab.'
Shortly before his execution, McVeigh smuggled a copy of 'Into the Wild' to Kaczynski, who enjoyed it due to its resonance with his own experiences living in the woods.
Kaczynski spent 23 hours a day in his Supermax cell with minimal light, yet reportedly preferred it to his previous shack due to its larger size.

During Kaczynski's trial, his defense team airlifted his cabin to use as evidence of his insanity, citing his unsanitary living conditions, including collecting his own waste.
The cabin featured soot marks on the wall from his stove and oil stains on the floor from his feet, indicative of prolonged periods of stillness.
After its courtroom use, the cabin was exhibited at the Post Office Museum, following the closure of a previous museum that housed it due to financial debt.

A former Supermax inmate described Ted Kaczynski as a 'weird little guy' who rarely left his cell, even during outdoor concrete recreation time.
Kaczynski reportedly exhibited a serene and confident demeanor in Supermax, appearing comfortable in isolation, contrasting with other extroverted inmates.
He showered less frequently in prison due to sensitive skin, which reportedly contradicted assumptions about his hygiene.
Kaczynski humorously complained about overcooked hamburgers in Supermax prison, despite his reclusive nature.

Ted Kaczynski engaged in a few dates with a woman who later ended their relationship, leading Kaczynski to leave negative notes about her at his brother's company.
These actions resulted in Kaczynski's termination from his brother's company due to the negative notes he left.
Kaczynski held distinct political views, supporting the 2003 Iraq invasion due to perceived WMDs but viewing politicians' motivations as ego-driven.
He considered voting for George W. Bush, believing that electing an incompetent president would weaken the American system.

An auction of Ted Kaczynski's personal effects generated significant funds for victims, with his iconic hoodie selling for $20,000 and a manifesto draft for $20,053.
Other items sold included Kaczynski's typewriter for $22,000 and a handwritten autobiography detailing his decision to become a serial killer for $17,780.
His personal journals were the highest-selling items, fetching $40,676, with most items originating from his isolated shack.
The auction aimed to contribute to the $15 million in restitution owed to Kaczynski's victims.

The auction of Ted Kaczynski's cabin yielded $190,000, which was only a small fraction of the estimated $15 million owed to his victims' families.
The logistical challenge of moving the cabin involved a truck driver who transported it across the country, later creating a personalized 'Unit Trucker' license plate.

Ted Kaczynski died in 2023 by hanging himself with a shoelace in prison, which raised questions about security protocols following other high-profile inmate deaths.
He had been diagnosed with advanced rectal cancer and spent his final year and a half at a federal medical center in Butner, North Carolina, not Supermax prison.
Kaczynski reportedly stopped his bi-weekly chemotherapy treatments for rectal cancer in 2023, choosing to 'bleed out' before his death.
Speculation arose that his advanced cancer and potential lack of intensive monitoring contributed to the circumstances of his death.

Ted Kaczynski allegedly participated in a CIA MKUltra experiment at Harvard, where a professor subjected him to psychological torture by mocking his deepest fears.
This experience, described as a psychologically devastating 'roast' aimed at destroying his ego, is presented as a potential factor in his anti-social personality development.
Kaczynski was reportedly unaware he was part of an MKUltra experiment until potentially years later, possibly after his imprisonment.
Investigators briefly considered Kaczynski's involvement in the 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders, though the FBI did not confirm a connection.