real life prophet

Real Life Prophet Essay
Bonnie Black

He was accepted to Harvard at the age of 16. He earned his PhD in Mathematics by solving a math problem that a professor was unable to ever solve in only a year. He recieved his Masters and PhD from the University of Michigan. He became a professor of mathematics at the University of California. And he was once considered the epitome of terrorism in the united states. When one thinks of a prophet, they may often view them as someone is who well-liked, or respected by society. Rarely can they imagine a prophet who is currently serving the rest of their life in prison.
Ted Kaczynski, also known as the UNABOMBER, is seldom seen as anything more than a genius and a killer. However, when looking at the events leading up to his arrest, he easily fits the criteria of a prophet trying to encourage a revelation for the people.
The trope for a revelation goes as follows "(1) The ignorant masses are in a (2) unacceptable/oppresive situation when a (3) prophet/revealer tries to (4) share the message (5) that connects the dots in a new way (6) and offers a vision of a redeemed world (7) but there is opposition to the messager (8) and then drama occurs". What makes Kaczynski a prophet, is that his story follows these guidlines for a prophet.
After a successful career at the University of California, Ted Kaczynski left his position without any explaination and despite please from the staff. He moved to a small cabin he build in Montana where he lived with very little money, no electricity, no running water, and no job.
Kaczynski first began mailing bombs in 1978, when the first one was sent to materials engineering professor Buckley Crist at Northwestern University. The next bombs were sent to airline officials and in 1979 one was placed in the cargo of an American Airlines plane. Because attempting to bomb an American plane is a federal offense, the FBI became involved and came up with the name Unabomber (University and Airline Bomber).
All of the bombs were clearly homemade, made out of scraps of metal. Inside of the bomb, some parts were inscribed with the letters "FC". The FBI first figured it stood for Fuck Computers, however Kaczynski later revealed it stood for Freedom Club. In 1994, Kaczynski sent a letter to the New York times, after Burston-Marsteller Thomas Mosser was killed by a bomb, claiming that the group FC blew up Mosser because "Burston-Marsteller helped Exxon clean up their image after the Exxon Valdez incident" and because "its business is the development of techniques for manipulating peoples attitudes"(Kaczynski).
In total, Kaczynski sent out 16 bombs, which injured 23 and killed 3, over a period of 17 years. The bombs were sent to people involved with universities focused on computers and sciences, computer store owners, and people involved with industries.
In 1995, Kaczynski sent letters to multiple newspapers and some of his former victims, claiming that if his manifesto, Industrial Society and Its Future were printed by a major newspaper, he would end his "terrorism campaign". There was much confusion as to whether or not it should be done, and when Kaczynski sent another letter threatening to kill more people, it was decided that it must be printed due to public safety. It was then printed in the New York times and Washington Post in September of 1995.
Kaczynskis Manifesto focused on industrialization and it's destruction of society. He claims " the Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race". He calls for a revolution against technology.
Kaczynski was once a well-known, respected part of the education system, so when he began sending bombs to professors, one must assume he knows what he is doing. He was once a part of that world, so the fact that he is now turning against it shows that he must have found something personally disturbing within the education world.
After the publication of his manifesto, Kaczynskis brother, who he had been estranged from for some years, recognized the writing style of the piece and compared it to letters he had found. He contacted the FBI and Ted Kaczynski was arrested 1996.
The story of the Unabomber fits the trope of a revealer: "(1) The ignorant masses are in a (2) unacceptable/oppresive situation when a (3) prophet/revealer tries to (4) share the message (5) that connects the dots in a new way (6) and offers a vision of a redeemed world (7) but there is opposition to the messager (8) and then drama occurs".
Kaczynski wanted to help the people realize that they are ignorant, for they rely so much on industrial life, without recognizing it's consequences. With his manifesto, Kaczynski presents an idea not many wanted to accept- the idea that we might be better off without all of this growing technology. However, since so many people appear to be so selfish and used to the life they have become accustomed to, they are not likely to accept the idea of getting rid of all of these things that make their daily life easier. There was much opposition to Kaczynskis message, very likely due to the violent way he went about getting attention for his message. The drama that then occurs is when Kaczynski is then arrested and is sentenced to life with no possibility for parole.
The story of the Unabomber is one of intelligence and violence. His message was lost among the media coverage of his violent ways. Yet, he is still a prime example of a revealer, and should be seen as that. Ted Kaczynski can be seen as many things: genius, terrorist, and most of all, prophet.

Sources Cited
"en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Kaczynski"
Unabomber's Manifesto, http://cyber.eserver.org/unabom.txt
http://www.crimelibrary.com/terrorists_spies/terrorists/kaczynski/1.htm