# Theodore 'Ted' Kaczynski, known as the 'Unabomber,' has died in federal prison **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 10, 2023, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294 "2023-06-10T17:26:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/21 "2023-06-10T21:40:27Z")
And how the Feds damn near failed to hold up their end of the bargain with David. Of course had Ted decided to resist arrest, his involvement with the Feds might well have ended right there with a de facto death sentence despite David’s desires to the contrary. I have no particular sympathy for Ted, but the “good guys” throughout his f\*\*\*ed up life weren’t exactly all that good either. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/22 "2023-06-10T22:21:00Z")
Ted Kaczynski was removed from society to protect others and safely contained until his life ended. I view that as a good outcome, in that he was no longer permitted to hurt others. It’s sad he did not put his talents to better use, or that he didn’t simply live in a cabin in the woods troubling no one else. As for him being dead… well, I really don’t care. I mean, condolences to his family who no doubt had some affection for him, and some happy memories, but his death is no loss to greater world. His significance and impact ended decades ago. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/23 "2023-06-10T22:28:52Z")
It just means you got away with it while Ted suffered for your sins. 😖 ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/24 "2023-06-10T22:29:03Z")
Oh I am soooo sad. Motherfucker. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/25 "2023-06-10T22:31:32Z")
Have a blast in hell, Ted. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/26 "2023-06-10T22:31:47Z")
One of the victims (severely hurt) is Computer Scientist [David Gelernter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gelernter). I’ve never met him but we worked in similar areas and I know and respect his work. (I used to teach students his programming language Linda.) Gelernter works for the betterment of society. Anyone who thought otherwise is a loon. During that era, I saw a lot of CS profs who were really worried about all this. Prospective faculty would sometimes inquire about security measures and such. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/27 "2023-06-10T22:44:35Z")
Nah. I double checked after they caught him. Definitely wasn’t me. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/28 "2023-06-10T23:59:57Z")
That’s what _they_ want you to believe! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/29 "2023-06-11T02:23:57Z")
IASTR that he had a lengthy hospitalization as a baby, and his parents were not allowed to visit him. His mother said he was never the same afterwards. I personally think he was on the spectrum. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/30 "2023-06-11T02:41:57Z")
NYT reports it was suicide. Gift link: > **[Kaczynski Is Said to Have Died by Suicide in Prison](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/10/us/politics/kaczynski-unabomber-suicide-prison.html?unlocked_article_code=OFTUBbd-yvPcIwkX1xHzv_G21YT44S5u9Vzp8W527AXJZcP-CCpnRB0sG_X-wtIicbiXHmZKuoLRMU6pDqnvJX7AfEAKPHLvuoXoUOOP7gOdAdHOEMVn3MV38GrCmYIZU93mn1TmFUmF_AMrXhnUFpjY8liQYdXrI0mhW8YPvHL4SYRdbBBI2YcU6N4iwaSFX5U0p2YlZ1Ncov0t_GO9AZ7fh0qQ4XAswNmVBl0Ok6jS3JK4dZdPA37BqSvYDYb8RnIXlljd71n1_qS87zLyPC5pw35zFNbrIDfJKSgeNTk9C2aSRSh5qIseOVcZhjf0XFnyCD4tNgo-_SjXl7SjpswWTW2CpB7WQrFr6fk2UC8&smid=url-share)** > > The man known as the “Unabomber” had been transferred to a federal prison medical center in 2021 after more than 25 years at a maximum security facility. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/31 "2023-06-11T02:47:06Z")
This made me laugh! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/32 "2023-06-11T04:51:56Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > It’s sad he did not put his talents to better use [Maxwell Smart] If only he’d used his talents for niceness instead of evil. [/MS] ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/33 "2023-06-11T06:05:39Z")
Thanks for that article. Quoting from it: “The circumstances of his suicide are unclear, and it is uncertain whether prison officials could have done more to ensure his safety. But the self-inflicted death of another high-profile inmate, four years after the accused sex offender Jeffrey Epstein hanged himself at a Manhattan federal detention center, is certain to raise fresh questions about the quality of security, oversight and health care in the troubled, chronically understaffed federal prison system.” ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/34 "2023-06-11T06:52:50Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I wish the guiltily would live longer lives in prison and suffer. He died at age 81. What age do you think he should die at to satisfy your desire that he be punished - 88? 93? 102? ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/35 "2023-06-11T07:02:24Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > or that he didn’t simply live in a cabin in the woods troubling no one else. AFAIK, he did just that until the bulldozers / logging machinery came too close. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/36 "2023-06-11T08:29:37Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > One of the victims (severely hurt) is Computer Scientist [David Gelernter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gelernter). I’ve never met him but we worked in similar areas and I know and respect his work. (I used to teach students his programming language Linda.) Gelernter works for the betterment of society. Anyone who thought otherwise is a loon. While I don’t dispute that Gelernter shouldn’t have had a bomb mailed to him and has made some worthwhile contributions to the world I have trouble with the notion that someone who thinks half the population should stay at home and be denied jobs and careers, rejects the notion that human actions are contributing to climate change, and rejects evolution (among some of his views) is entirely positive for society. In fact, he seems rather toxic outside of computer science. Back to Kaczynski - upon reading his Wikipedia entry I was surprised to find he continued to write and publish even after incarcerated. Huh. Guess he had the time and wanted to keep busy, I’m just a bit surprised he was able to publish while in Florence SuperMax. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/37 "2023-06-11T13:45:41Z")
I’ve wondered it Ted did anything positive in prison. Maybe teach basic math or other activities. It probably depended on how well his illness responded to meds. He was extremely dangerous. He had finished bombs in the cabin. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/38 "2023-06-11T16:11:47Z")
I’m fairly confident that he did some good in his life, though I have no idea what that is. I’m simply guessing. But it doesn’t really matter does it? I feel for his family, and any friends or associates who loves or cared for him while not knowing what he was doing. They may feel guilt, on some level. I’m bummed that he was successful in taking his own life. If that is indeed what happened. I wish he lived a long life in prison alone with his thoughts and with the constraints of prison life, a life where you cannot go where you want, do what you want. Alas, that was not meant to be. He needed to be punished. Like most children, there are times when they need fitting punishment. They need love, but when they break a rule or cross a line they need to be checked. And that is a form of love. TK needed to spend many more years behind bars. With this death, especially so if he caused his own death, he ‘escaped’ from prison. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/39 "2023-06-11T16:12:51Z")
And now, I don’t want to think of this asshole any more. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294/40 "2023-06-11T16:25:29Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I wish he lived a long life in prison alone with his thoughts and with the constraints of prison life, a life where you cannot go where you want, do what you want. He was in prison for over 25 years. I’m not sure what a few more would accomplish. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theodore-ted-kaczynski-known-as-the-unabomber-has-died-in-federal-prison/985294.md?page=3)