Difference between revisions of "Luddite"
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==Context== | ==Context== | ||
| + | * In truth, the [[Luddite]]s were skilled with machines. They were simply fighting for better worker rights. In 1799 the British government passed legislation that prohibited trade unions and collective bargaining. So, the Mill owners introduced more machines in the factories and reduced wages. An then, in 1811 after years of frustrating negotiations a spate of coordinated attacks on mill frameworks erupted across the UK, led by "King Net Ludd".<ref>Tom Humberstone, ''What Luddites can teach us about resisting an automated future'' 2024-04-28 https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/02/28/1088262/luddites-resisting-automated-future-technology</ref> | ||
* A new breed of technology observers have determined that "The Luddites were right".<ref>Sheelah Kolhatkar, ''Tech Skeptics: Smithereens'' New Yorker Magazine (2023-10-30) p 10-11 </ref> in a new book by Brain Merchant.<ref>Brain Merchant, ''Blood in the Machine'' (2023)</ref><blockquote>At MIT scientists were developing robots and apps without considering how they would be used. "It's like Frankenstein's monster. The guy just makes it and lets it go"</blockquote> | * A new breed of technology observers have determined that "The Luddites were right".<ref>Sheelah Kolhatkar, ''Tech Skeptics: Smithereens'' New Yorker Magazine (2023-10-30) p 10-11 </ref> in a new book by Brain Merchant.<ref>Brain Merchant, ''Blood in the Machine'' (2023)</ref><blockquote>At MIT scientists were developing robots and apps without considering how they would be used. "It's like Frankenstein's monster. The guy just makes it and lets it go"</blockquote> | ||
* Its an open question if AI will be the next scientific Weapon of Mass Destruction.<ref>Ray Kurzweil, ''The Singularity is Near'' (2005) ISBN 9780670033843</ref> | * Its an open question if AI will be the next scientific Weapon of Mass Destruction.<ref>Ray Kurzweil, ''The Singularity is Near'' (2005) ISBN 9780670033843</ref> | ||
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*It seems like Luddites were just worried about their own "unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."<ref>Richard Conniff, ''What the Luddites Really Fought Against'' Smithsonian Magazine (2011-03) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-the-luddites-really-fought-against-264412/</ref><blockquote>Despite their modern reputation, the original Luddites were neither opposed to technology nor inept at using it. Many were highly skilled machine operators in the textile industry. Nor was the technology they attacked particularly new. Moreover, the idea of smashing machines as a form of industrial protest did not begin or end with them. In truth, the secret of their enduring reputation depends less on what they did than on the name under which they did it. You could say they were good at branding.</blockquote> | *It seems like Luddites were just worried about their own "unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."<ref>Richard Conniff, ''What the Luddites Really Fought Against'' Smithsonian Magazine (2011-03) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-the-luddites-really-fought-against-264412/</ref><blockquote>Despite their modern reputation, the original Luddites were neither opposed to technology nor inept at using it. Many were highly skilled machine operators in the textile industry. Nor was the technology they attacked particularly new. Moreover, the idea of smashing machines as a form of industrial protest did not begin or end with them. In truth, the secret of their enduring reputation depends less on what they did than on the name under which they did it. You could say they were good at branding.</blockquote> | ||
| + | ==As Conservatives== | ||
| + | Both Luddites and conservatives can be described as “resisting change,” but the interests they defend are almost opposite. Let’s sharpen that contrast: | ||
| + | ===Luddites (1810s England)=== | ||
| + | Who they were: Skilled textile artisans. | ||
| + | |||
| + | What they resisted: Mechanized looms and mills that destroyed their livelihoods. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Why: Industrial capitalism shifted value from skilled labor to machine‑owners. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Class position: Working class, defending customary rights and wages. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Economic stance: Anti‑capitalist disruption — they wanted to preserve protections for labor. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Conservatives (modern context)=== | ||
| + | Who they are: Typically aligned with property owners, investors, and established elites. | ||
| + | |||
| + | What they resist: Redistributive taxation, labor regulation, social welfare expansion. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Why: Such reforms threaten the value of their capital assets (stocks, bonds, property). | ||
| + | |||
| + | Class position: Capital‑holding classes, defending returns on investment. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Economic stance: Anti‑redistribution — they want to preserve protections for capital. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
[[Category: Philosophy]] | [[Category: Philosophy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:33, 3 October 2025
Contents
Full Title or Meme
A person that is worried about the adverse impacts of the deployment of innovative technology.
Context
- In truth, the Luddites were skilled with machines. They were simply fighting for better worker rights. In 1799 the British government passed legislation that prohibited trade unions and collective bargaining. So, the Mill owners introduced more machines in the factories and reduced wages. An then, in 1811 after years of frustrating negotiations a spate of coordinated attacks on mill frameworks erupted across the UK, led by "King Net Ludd".[1]
- A new breed of technology observers have determined that "The Luddites were right".[2] in a new book by Brain Merchant.[3]
At MIT scientists were developing robots and apps without considering how they would be used. "It's like Frankenstein's monster. The guy just makes it and lets it go"
- Its an open question if AI will be the next scientific Weapon of Mass Destruction.[4]
- As is becoming a tradition, it was science fiction that first described the "Singularity" when technological progress would soon accelerate to a spike of such intense change that on the other side of it, humanity would be unrecognizable.[5]
- It seems like Luddites were just worried about their own "unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."[6]
Despite their modern reputation, the original Luddites were neither opposed to technology nor inept at using it. Many were highly skilled machine operators in the textile industry. Nor was the technology they attacked particularly new. Moreover, the idea of smashing machines as a form of industrial protest did not begin or end with them. In truth, the secret of their enduring reputation depends less on what they did than on the name under which they did it. You could say they were good at branding.
As Conservatives
Both Luddites and conservatives can be described as “resisting change,” but the interests they defend are almost opposite. Let’s sharpen that contrast:
Luddites (1810s England)
Who they were: Skilled textile artisans.
What they resisted: Mechanized looms and mills that destroyed their livelihoods.
Why: Industrial capitalism shifted value from skilled labor to machine‑owners.
Class position: Working class, defending customary rights and wages.
Economic stance: Anti‑capitalist disruption — they wanted to preserve protections for labor.
Conservatives (modern context)
Who they are: Typically aligned with property owners, investors, and established elites.
What they resist: Redistributive taxation, labor regulation, social welfare expansion.
Why: Such reforms threaten the value of their capital assets (stocks, bonds, property).
Class position: Capital‑holding classes, defending returns on investment.
Economic stance: Anti‑redistribution — they want to preserve protections for capital.
References
- ↑ Tom Humberstone, What Luddites can teach us about resisting an automated future 2024-04-28 https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/02/28/1088262/luddites-resisting-automated-future-technology
- ↑ Sheelah Kolhatkar, Tech Skeptics: Smithereens New Yorker Magazine (2023-10-30) p 10-11
- ↑ Brain Merchant, Blood in the Machine (2023)
- ↑ Ray Kurzweil, The Singularity is Near (2005) ISBN 9780670033843
- ↑ Vernor Vinge, Rainbows End (2006)
- ↑ Richard Conniff, What the Luddites Really Fought Against Smithsonian Magazine (2011-03) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-the-luddites-really-fought-against-264412/
