4 ms·
The Ludites do not account for all of humanity, but they sure tried very hard to say "no" to a new disruptive technology. In the end, they were not successful.
by ilovetux 3y ago
The Ludites do not account for all of humanity, but they sure tried very hard to say "no" to a new disruptive technology. In the end, they were not successful.
The Amish, on the other hand, have successfully staved off most new technology since the 1600s. They also do not account for all of humanity.
It seems that saying no to a disruptive technology requires the naysayers to split off into a whole new society.
- pydry 3y agoFor the luddites destroying technology was a tactic to deal with getting undercut by low wage/bottom of the barrel competitors, not a moral imperative. It didn't fail because the tactic didn't work economically, it failed because they were imprisoned and executed for destroying the sewing machines. In much the same way - when workers go on strike today, it's a tactic, not a protest against the concept of work. Sometimes it works, sometimes that gets you put in prison too. The luddites' modern equivalent would probably be the French anti-Uber protestors. They were, interestingly, actually described as being anti-smartphone by business journals. This is obviously false, but it's an interesting historical rhyme. I wonder if in 50 years time children will be taught about the "French iPhone protestors".
- sorokod 3y agoPennsylvania Dutch and Russian Old Believers are more recent examples. Orthodox Jews generally stay away from the internet.
- atq2119 3y agoIt's important to note that the luddites didn't necessarily say "no" to technology. What they objected to was how the gains of the technology were distributed. History really does rhyme.
- smegma2 3y agoHistory has shown that only the top 1% have benefitted from the invention of the textile mill.