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Comment by tnecniv

3 years ago

…is Ted Kaczynski popular among tech workers? Even the hardcore socialists I know aren’t really fans beyond acknowledging he had a good point or two.

At this point most people don't even know who he is let alone read his writing.

  • I've seen the preamble to his manifesto quoted enough to know that isn't the case. Kaczynski's views on "the left" are point for point mainstream within internet culture now, and plenty of people will defend his views on technology, if not his violence.

    There was a recent thread about him here[0,1]. Plenty of people denouncing him, of course, but also lots of sympathy. I've also noticed a trend to reform (and excuse) his violent actions as being the effect of psychological torture by the CIA and MKULTRA. The linked article goes a bit deeper into how influential his manifesto has been on the culture.

    [0]https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36392976 [1]https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/19/unabomber-te...

  • Au contraire, his name and his views are common knowledge among Gen Z/Gen Alpha.

    He is a minor TikTok celebrity.