For 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

For 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".