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Knowledge really is power. I remember the first time I saw the 340 it gave me an uncomfortable feeling nearing dread. What horrible secrets did those symbols hi

by warent 6y ago

Knowledge really is power. I remember the first time I saw the 340 it gave me an uncomfortable feeling nearing dread. What horrible secrets did those symbols hide? Turns out it's just some mad ramblings that are pretty underwhelming, and knowledge makes yet another boogeyman seem a bit smaller.

meowface 6y ago
You're right, and it's ironic because I think the primary intention was to unnerve and horrify the public and to make people think some sort of unholy being was stealing souls to torment in the afterlife, like a demon, or the Anti-Christ. He was very narcissistic, like many serial killers, and in every letter he was trying to build a legend around himself. And unfortunately, the attempt was somewhat successful. It's maybe the most effective way to get very famous very quickly, especially if you elude capture for a long time. Something tells me there's a decent chance he may get identified one day. But if it ever happens, I suspect it'll be like this cipher solution: it'll take more decades, more toil, and more excruciating retreading of old ground until the right combination of advances in technology, dedication, and creativity finally uncovers a thread that quickly unravels. My absolute deepest respect and admiration go to the cipher crackers and to everyone else working on this and any other murder cold case; amateur, professional, civilian, or authority. Each individual knows they probably won't succeed, that probably no one will ever know who they are or what they did, that there's probably a major opportunity cost to what they're doing. With very few exceptions, they're doing it solely because it's the right thing. Keep doing what you do. You're our unsung heroes.
Siira 6y ago
So ... knowledge wasn’t power after all?
lr4444lr 6y ago
It's also disappointing though that it brings us no closer to uncovering his identity.

by warent 6y ago

meowface 6y ago

You're right, and it's ironic because I think the primary intention was to unnerve and horrify the public and to make people think some sort of unholy being was stealing souls to torment in the afterlife, like a demon, or the Anti-Christ. He was very narcissistic, like many serial killers, and in every letter he was trying to build a legend around himself. And unfortunately, the attempt was somewhat successful. It's maybe the most effective way to get very famous very quickly, especially if you elude capture for a long time. Something tells me there's a decent chance he may get identified one day. But if it ever happens, I suspect it'll be like this cipher solution: it'll take more decades, more toil, and more excruciating retreading of old ground until the right combination of advances in technology, dedication, and creativity finally uncovers a thread that quickly unravels. My absolute deepest respect and admiration go to the cipher crackers and to everyone else working on this and any other murder cold case; amateur, professional, civilian, or authority. Each individual knows they probably won't succeed, that probably no one will ever know who they are or what they did, that there's probably a major opportunity cost to what they're doing. With very few exceptions, they're doing it solely because it's the right thing. Keep doing what you do. You're our unsung heroes.

Siira 6y ago

So ... knowledge wasn’t power after all?

lr4444lr 6y ago

It's also disappointing though that it brings us no closer to uncovering his identity.