Ep 2. Unabomber, Get the Lead Out, Salvation by Starvation

In season 3 episode 2 of Dark Matters: Twisted But True, titled "Unabomber, Get the Lead Out, Salvation by Starvation," viewers are treated to a trio of bizarre and disturbing stories that push the boundaries of science and ethics.

The first segment focuses on the Unabomber, a notorious domestic terrorist who sent over a dozen mail bombs to various targets between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Through interviews with experts and archival footage, the show explores how forensic linguistics played a key role in identifying and capturing the elusive Unabomber (real name: Ted Kaczynski). The episode delves into the methods used by linguists to analyze the language and syntax of written communications, as well as the ethical debates around using this kind of evidence in criminal investigations.

The second segment shifts gears to explore the bizarre and tragic history of lead poisoning as a medical treatment. Viewers learn how during the Roman Empire, lead was often consumed as a cure for a variety of ailments, from insomnia to constipation. The episode then jumps forward to the 20th century, when doctors in the US and Europe continued to prescribe lead-based treatments for everything from anemia to mental illness. Despite mounting evidence of the toxic effects of lead on the human body, some physicians continued to advocate for its use well into the 1970s.

The final segment of the episode takes a darker turn, as it examines the extreme measures that some people have taken in the pursuit of spiritual purity and salvation. Viewers learn about several historical examples of so-called "breatharians," individuals who claim to be able to survive without food or water by subsisting on air and light alone. The show explores the stories of several well-known breatharians, including a woman in Scotland who claimed to have survived on only a small piece of fruit each week for several years. While these practices may seem like extreme outliers, the show reminds viewers of the many ways that religious and spiritual beliefs can drive people to engage in dangerous and even deadly behaviors.

Overall, "Unabomber, Get the Lead Out, Salvation by Starvation" is a thought-provoking and unsettling episode that shines a light on the strange and often disturbing corners of scientific and medical history. From the tactics used to catch a terrorist to the misguided attempts to cure illness with toxic substances, the episode is a reminder that even the most well-intentioned scientific and spiritual practices can have unintended consequences.