Theodore Kaczynski

The only reason why I am posting about Teddy Kaczynski is because I watched a feature about him and "evil minds" on National Geographic.

I relied only on Google for the correct spelling of his name, and from what I have gathered, he was also a teacher, and a mathematician. He finished his Ph.D in Mathematics from the University of Michigan, specializing in geometric function theory. He attended Harvard, and was assistant professor at University of California, Berkeley at age 25. Two years later, however, he resigned from his post and disappeared for so many years. Apparently, during his absence from the public eye, he sent out mail bombs to universities and airlines, from his forest cabin in Montana. This lasted for 17 long years.

He was so exact in his procedure that no trace was ever linked to him. In 1995, he sent his Manifesto to the New York Times, explaining his purpose, leading to one of the most expensive FBI hunt in the US history. He was later captured because of the tip of his own brother, who recognized his style of writing in the published manifesto.

He was incarcerated and pleaded guilty to several counts of murder, attempted murder, and destruction of property. This he did in order to avoid death penalty. He is now in prison serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Reactions:

1. Ph D in Mathematics intertwined with a high IQ spells trouble.
2. Only those people very close to you can fuck you up.
3. Cliche though it is, criminals pay - even after 17 years and meticulous planning.
4. Media rocks. If it were not for the NY Times, he would still be a UNABomber (Universities and Airlines Bomber)
5. Whatever you do, DO NOT publish your manifesto over New York Times.
6. Corollary to number 5, most intelligent people do the publishing in trying to explain what they do and why they do it. Their reason? They feel that no one understands them, they are so above everybody else. The result? A major fuckup. Do not assume everybody is lesser than you are.
7. Assistant professor? Oh well, what about assistant instructor? I think that will produce another bomber? This is a question... not a manifesto.
8. There is something wrong with modern geometry. I know of a topologist who got hit by a pedicab. He said to the driver: Why did you hit me? Do you not know that I am the only topology expert in the Philippines? (I hope John does not read this. Hehehe)
9. I know what is lacking in this man's life. A woman. That's the difference with John Nash. See advanced geometry + PhD Math - wife = UNABomber. advanced geometry + Ph D Math + wife = Nobel Prize. And here's the cliche - Behind the success and failure of a man is double X.
10. I rest my case. Off to NOT pursuing the Ph D.

(The image is from wikipedia)