Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The lead theory is that a high exposure to lead degrades the brains of children during their development in ways that increase aggression and reduce impulse control." — Marcus Parks
"The biblical Jonah from the story of Jonah and the whale. Specifically, the message said, 'Pick me up and throw me over the boat. Kill me so that others will be saved.'" — Narrator describing Herbert Mullin's perceived message
"It's like, you know the sorts of fun thought experiments that me and Henry do as far as like magic goes, magical thinking, what do you guys just come on a bunch of paper?" — Ben Kissel
This episode of "Last Podcast on the Left" meticulously dissects the case of Herbert Mullin, a serial killer who terrorized Santa Cruz, California, in the early 1970s. The hosts explore Mullin's severe schizophrenia, detailing his delusions that voices commanded him to kill to prevent catastrophic natural disasters. They examine his troubled childhood, his struggles with sexuality, and the various environmental and personal factors that may have contributed to his violent trajectory. The episode highlights Mullin's unique brand of "missionary killing," where he believed his actions served a higher purpose, a stark contrast to killers motivated by sexual gratification.
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the "lead theory," a hypothesis suggesting that widespread lead exposure, particularly from leaded gasoline and paint in the mid-20th century, led to increased aggression and reduced impulse control in subsequent generations, potentially contributing to the surge in serial killings during the 1970s and 80s. The hosts draw parallels between Mullin's crimes and other notorious killers of the era, examining the societal context of Santa Cruz at the time, which was a peaceful town juxtaposed with these brutal acts. The episode also touches upon the inadequacies of mental healthcare systems during that period and the impact of political decisions on the treatment of individuals with severe mental illness.
The narrative progresses through Mullin's early life, his increasing erratic behavior, drug use, and eventual descent into murder. The hosts detail his first murder of Lawrence White and the subsequent killings, emphasizing the psychological motivations and the gruesome nature of his crimes. The episode concludes by underscoring the importance of mental health treatment and the devastating consequences when individuals do not receive adequate care, while also cautioning against generalizing all individuals with mental illness as potential threats.