Part 3 of our discussion about Ted Kaczynski (aka the Unabomber); in this episode we discuss the timeline of Kaczynski’s attacks, how Ruby Ridge, Waco, and Oklahoma City helped to escalate his madness, and his imprisonment and death. Additional topics include the similarities between Kaczynski’s isolation and current instances of AI psychosis.

TW: Death by suicide, AI psychosis, terrorism

Notes:

The Daily: Trapped in a ChatGPT Spiral: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/podcasts/the-daily/chatgpt-ai-delusions.html

“AI Psychosis”: Emerging Cases of Delusion Amplification Associated with ChatGPT and LLM Chatbot Use – A Psychiatric Review: https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/psychiatry-psychotherapy-podcast/episode-253-ai-psychosis-emerging-cases-of-delusion-amplification-associated-with-chatgpt-and-llm-chatbot

Research sources include:

Cruz Lat, Emelyn. “ Kaczynski: Childhood of Rage.” SFGate, 2 Nov. 1997, https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Kaczynski-Childhood-of-rage-3091103.php.

“Hospital Incident Haunts Unabomber Suspect’s Mother.” Tampa Bay Times, https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/06/17/hospital-incident-haunts-unabomber-suspect-s-mother/. Accessed 22 June 2025.

“David Kaczynski: ‘Every Last Tie: The Story Of The Unabomber And His Family.’” Diane Rehm, https://dianerehm.org/shows/2016-01-28/david-kaczynski-every-last-tie-the-story-of-the-unabomber-and-his-family. Accessed 22 June 2025.

Theodore Richard “Turk” Kaczynski (1912-1990) -... https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/213155567/theodore_richard-kaczynski. Accessed 23 June 2025.

Wanda Teresa Dombek Kaczynski (1917-2011) - Find... https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207475370/wanda_teresa-kaczynski. Accessed 23 June 2025.

Jakub Kaczynski (1865-1943) - Find a Grave... https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108871364/jakub-kaczynski. Accessed 23 June 2025.

Helen Alchimowicz Kaczynski (1886-1976) - Find a... https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182219271/helen-kaczynski. Accessed 23 June 2025.

Editors, HISTORY com. “Unabomber (Ted Kaczynski) - Manifesto, Cabin, Victims.” HISTORY, 14 May 2018, https://www.history.com/articles/unabomber-ted-kaczynski.

“‘Unabomber’ Ted Kaczynski Died by Suicide, Official Says.” NBC News, 12 June 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/unabomber-cause-death-rcna88737.

“‘Unabomber’ Ted Kaczynski Had Late-Stage Rectal Cancer and Was ‘Depressed’ before Prison Suicide, Autopsy Says.” NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/unabomber-ted-kaczynski-late-stage-rectal-cancer-was-depressed-prison-rcna147819.

Follow us on Instagram @deepdishofdeath_podcast
Find us on BlueSky @deepdishofdeath.bsky.social
Email us at [email protected]