Last Podcast On The Left: Last Update on the Left 9 – The Unabomber

Podcast: Last Podcast On The Left
Date: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Marcus, Ed, Nick
Summary Prepared By: ChatGPT

Episode Overview

This “Last Update on the Left” episode focuses on the notorious figure Ted Kaczynski, aka the Unabomber, examining his crimes, prison life, psychology, legacy, and eventual death. The hosts bring their signature irreverent blend of detailed research and dark humor, diving deep into what made Kaczynski tick, how he lived in and out of prison, the legacy of his writings, and what happened in his final days.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ted Kaczynski’s Lifestyle—From Cabin to Supermax

• Ted’s Vegetarianism & Diet:
  • Much of Kaczynski’s life in the Montana wilderness involved a forager’s, largely vegetarian diet; rarely venturing to town for basic supplies like rice.

    “He would go and he would source roots and stuff. He wasn't eating well… He’d also go into town, I think once every couple months, and he would get stuff like rice…” – Nick (03:30)

• Arrest Details & Cabin:

  • Kaczynski’s Montana shack was central to both the trial and his mythos. The shack was displayed at various museums and even used as courtroom evidence to suggest his instability.

  • Upon arrest, Kaczynski was so filthy officers vomited.

  • His dismal living conditions: collecting his own waste, no real plumbing, physical traces of his body left in the cabin from sitting in one place for 23 years.

    "He was literally just sitting on buckets of his own fetid, rotting duke…and then no toilet." – Nick (15:20)

2. Prison Life at ADX Florence (“Alcatraz of the Rockies”)

• Notoriously Harsh Prison:

  • Kaczynski was housed with fellow infamous inmates: Boston Bomber (Dzhokhar Tsarnaev), 9/11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui, Timothy McVeigh, Robert Hanssen, Ramzi Yousef, and more.

• Relationships & Correspondence:

  • Notably, Kaczynski and McVeigh exchanged letters and books, including "Tainting Evidence" and “Into the Wild”—which resonated with Ted.

    “Timothy McVeigh gave Ted Kaczynski a book called ‘Tainting Evidence Inside the Scandals at the FBI Crime Lab.’ …he was really touched…smuggled in a copy of ‘Into the Wild’ for Ted Kaczynski.” – Nick (13:05)

  • These letters were often smuggled, not read by censors, and included personal discussions and shared anti-establishment sentiments.

• His Demeanor & Routine:

  • Kaczynski purportedly enjoyed the solitude and the size of his cell compared to his former cabin. He was calm and “thrived” in solitary, finding it similar to his previous isolation.

  • Complained about things such as undercooked hamburgers and lack of vegetables.

  • Rarely partook in his allotted outdoor “yard” time, preferring isolation.

    “He wouldn't even go outside even when he was…” – Marcus (23:43)

• Solitary as 'Torture':

  • The hosts acknowledge solitary confinement as torture, but Kaczynski appeared suited to it.

    “It's incredible to think that somebody could actually thrive in those conditions. He was just so… serene, so calm.” – Marcus (24:43)

3. Social and Family Dynamics

• The Family Turn-In:
  • His brother recognized a unique phrase from Kaczynski’s writings (“eat your cake and have it too”), leading to his arrest.
• Relationships with Brother & Others:

  • Discussed Kaczynski’s discomfort with social interaction, failed attempts at relationships, and problematic dynamic in his brother’s workplace after a failed office romance.

    “He retaliated by leaving all of these very mean notes about her all over the company...then he fired Ted.” – Marcus (29:52)

4. The Manifesto, Crime Details, and Legacy

• Criminal Impact:

  • Injured 23, killed 3 over 17 years—less effective as a bombmaker than his reputation suggests.

  • Crimes targeted professors, airline executives, and the "industrial society" he railed against.

    “He wasn't really a great bomb maker...” – Ed (21:12)

• Intellectual Legacy:

  • Despite abhorrence, his mathematical papers are still cited today.

  • His anti-technology, anti-industrialization “manifesto” is covered with a mix of horror and begrudging acknowledgment of certain valid critiques of society.

    “One of his papers...is still used today. It's still cited. Like, it was a revolutionary paper. The man was an absolute genius.” – Marcus (08:39)

• Auction of Belongings:

  • His hoodie, sunglasses, typewriter, diplomas, and writings were auctioned to pay restitution, raising about $190,000 of the $15 million owed.

  • Discussion on the macabre appeal of ‘murderabilia’.

    “His typewriter. That’s got Tom Hanks written all over.” – Nick (38:39)

5. MK-ULTRA Experiments and Lasting Psychological Damage

• Participation as a Teenager:

  • As a young student at Harvard, Kaczynski was unwittingly subjected to a “psychological deconstruction” experiment, part of MK-ULTRA.

  • He revealed personal vulnerabilities only to be ruthlessly mocked and humiliated, which is cited as a major factor in his anti-social detachment.

  • Kaczynski did not know the experiment was part of MK-ULTRA until many years later.

    “He participated in this psychological study where he told this professor his deepest fears...then that professor...just made fun of him and just. Absolutely...destroy someone’s ego.” – Marcus (55:00)

6. Final Years, Death, and Speculation

• Death in Prison:

  • Suffered from Stage 4 rectal cancer, transferred from Supermax to a medical prison, and ultimately died by suicide (hanging). Questions arose about access to a shoelace, considering heightened post-Epstein monitoring.

  • Some speculate about murder, but consensus is suicide due to terminal illness and despair.

  • Received medical care, including chemotherapy—hosts note the paradox that American prisoners may get better healthcare than many free citizens.

    "He died from suicide by hanging himself with a shoelace from the handicap rail....most likely just no one gave a fuck about an 81 year old serial killer who had stage 4 rectal cancer.” – Marcus (49:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Kaczynski’s Hypocrisy

“You still use the mail, which takes technology...If you really wanted to do that...I’ve always kind of viewed him as kind of a hypocrite.” – Nick (46:53)

On his Prison Adaptation

“He was just so...serene, so calm, so confident.” – Marcus (24:43)

On Auctioning Murderabilia

“The handwritten rough draft of his manifesto sold for just slightly more than the hoodie. That was $20,053.” – Marcus (38:19)

Examining Prison Social Dynamics

“I feel that, yes, as an extrovert, it would be difficult. But also activities, direct...But also, as a person that does need to recharge, I would find that prison would be sort of difficult for me mentally.” – Nick (26:24)

On the MK-Ultra Experiment

“This is why Ted Kaczynski ended up being such an anti-social personality. Because he was absolutely destroyed as a child.” – Marcus (55:40)

Signature Podcast Humor

“You imagine what his balls were like...” – Nick (29:25)
“I’d do one last like {spits}...” – Ed (51:15)

Recommended Listening & Viewing (Referenced)

• Manhunt: Unabomber TV series (Paul Bettany as Kaczynski)
• “Tainting Evidence” and “Into the Wild” (books sent between Kaczynski & McVeigh)
• “Hungry Tavern” (YouTube/Instagram food channel, for post-true-crime comfort)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 03:30 | Discussion of Kaczynski’s vegetarian diet | | 10:02 | Cabin as evidence and living conditions | | 13:05 | Kaczynski/McVeigh friendship and book exchange | | 21:12 | Bomb-making ineptitude | | 23:43 | Kaczynski’s solitary habits and supermax routine | | 29:52 | Brother fires Ted over creepy office behavior | | 38:19 | Auction of manifesto and personal effects | | 46:53 | Discussion of Kaczynski’s hypocrisy about technology | | 55:00 | MK-ULTRA’s psychological study and impact | | 49:15 | Details of Kaczynski’s death and speculation |

Tone and Takeaways

The episode balances grim facts, historical context, and comedic irreverence. There’s no sympathy for Kaczynski’s actions, but a morbid fascination with the way his mind functioned, the culture that enabled him, and the system that dealt with him.

The group closes on a strong anti-bombing (of any kind) message, and a brief meditation on how societal failures, psychological abuse, and isolation can create legendary, tragic monsters—but laments that nothing excuses murder, terrorism, or the devastation Kaczynski left behind.

Final Thoughts:

“I hate him and I never liked him. No, I want that on the record. That if he could be dead twice. I like that as well.” – Nick (48:48)