Why the Luddites Matter
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Why the Luddites Matter
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Re: Why the Luddites Matter
#2Yes, it is unfortunate that the term "Luddite" has become shorthand for irrational dislike of technology while the historical Luddites had a very rational (if self-interested) reason to dislike mechanization.
Re: Why the Luddites Matter
#3Yes, it is unfortunate that the term "Luddite" has become shorthand for irrational dislike of technology while the historical Luddites had a very rational (if self-interested) reason to dislike mechanization.
They didn't even intrinsically dislike mechanisation. They just viewed machine sabotage as an effective tactic.
The straw man of them being anti technology crusaders was entirely a stereotype created and perpetuated by capitalists.
Re: Why the Luddites Matter
#4> Frankly, the Luddites wanted to be able to feed their children, they didn’t want to be driven into poverty, and they thought those things were more important than the factory owners becoming wealthier and more powerful
The effect of industrial revolution was not just factory owners being wealthier or more powerful. It raised the workers wages and increased living standards for everyone
Re: Why the Luddites Matter
#5Yes, it is unfortunate that the term "Luddite" has become shorthand for irrational dislike of technology while the historical Luddites had a very rational (if self-interested) reason to dislike mechanization.
They didn't even intrinsically dislike mechanisation. They just viewed machine sabotage as an effective tactic. The straw man of them being anti technology crusaders was entirely a stereotype created and perpetuated by capitalists.
Yeah the story is not so much about being anti-technology rayger it's about taking action when technology ceases to be a tool for the common good and instead enables a handful to place inhuman levels of leverage over the majority with it.
Re: Why the Luddites Matter
#6> Frankly, the Luddites wanted to be able to feed their children, they didn’t want to be driven into poverty, and they thought those things were more important than the factory owners becoming wealthier and more powerful The effect of industrial revolution was not just factory owners being wealthier or more powerful. It raised the workers wages and increased living standards for everyone
Over time, and over lots of fighting. It didn't look like it when it's your boss that started to suppress your wages thanks to a new machine.
Yes, the industrial revolution enabled increased wages and living standards. But for them to actually happen, and trickle down to workers, people had to fight hard. The modern working standards are literally written in tears and blood of our forefathers.
Re: Why the Luddites Matter
#7> Frankly, the Luddites wanted to be able to feed their children, they didn’t want to be driven into poverty, and they thought those things were more important than the factory owners becoming wealthier and more powerful The effect of industrial revolution was not just factory owners being wealthier or more powerful. It raised the workers wages and increased living standards for everyone
Yes, but that is not something the Luddites could see from where they were standing and plenty of them did end up hungry. The problem with progress is that it does nothing whatsoever for those that are being displaced, and to tell them to 'have the long view' does not solve their immediate problems.
Re: Why the Luddites Matter
#8Class wanted to maintain status quo, and resorted to violence as part of that campaign... it has nothing to do with technology itself. Why does it matter? It may matter like any other labour movement matters.
Re: Why the Luddites Matter
#9> Frankly, the Luddites wanted to be able to feed their children, they didn’t want to be driven into poverty, and they thought those things were more important than the factory owners becoming wealthier and more powerful The effect of industrial revolution was not just factory owners being wealthier or more powerful. It raised the workers wages and increased living standards for everyone
Re: Why the Luddites Matter
#10> Frankly, the Luddites wanted to be able to feed their children, they didn’t want to be driven into poverty, and they thought those things were more important than the factory owners becoming wealthier and more powerful The effect of industrial revolution was not just factory owners being wealthier or more powerful. It raised the workers wages and increased living standards for everyone
Yes, but that is not something the Luddites could see from where they were standing and plenty of them did end up hungry. The problem with progress is that it does nothing whatsoever for those that are being displaced, and to tell them to 'have the long view' does not solve their immediate problems.
Across time the vast majority of crime seems to originate with hunger and other desperate situations.