The Dystopians:
Approaching Technology From a Critical Perspective
Home
Introduction
Confronting the Machine
Visions of the Future
The Neo-Luddites
What's Wrong With Technology?
Cyberspace
The Digital Divide
Technology and Community
Technology and Happiness
Conclusion
References
FBI Sketch of the Unabomber
Photo of Theodore Kaczynski
Introduction
Confronting the Machine
Visions of the Future
The Neo-Luddites
What's Wrong With Technology?
Cyberspace
The Digital Divide
Technology and Community
Technology and Happiness
Conclusion
References
FBI Sketch of the Unabomber
Photo of Theodore Kaczynski
Who are the Neo-Luddites?
New-Luddites are often equated with Technophobes-- those who fear technology. Neo-Luddites--a disparate, unofficial community of individuals who are critical of modern technology--do not necessarily fear technology; rather, they reject technology on philosophical grounds. The term itself derives from an uprising in England against machines and mechanization. The Luddites swore allegiance to Ned Ludd (or King Ludd)-- a symbolic, possibly mythical figure--and, from 1811 until 1816, violently attcked the factories and mechanical looms that had taken their livelihood. The rebellion was suppressed brutally and swiftly7.
Luddites in Mainstream Society
Bought their freedom, and cheaply, with blood,
So we, boys, we
Will die fighting, or live free,
And down with all kings but King Ludd! 8.
Lord Byron, the poet, and author of these lines, was among the first high profile member of society to openly criticise the culture of machines. Charles Dickens' novels also offer damning criticism of mechanization and machines. Luddite ideals are romantic and often environmentally oriented, as expressed by figures such as Henry David Thoreau, the poet Gary Snyder, and the "Crusoe of Lonesome Lake", Ralph Edwards. Communities such as the Amish and Mennonites, while not explicitly "Luddite", share the Luddite rejection of technology. Luddism's historic acceptance, and even endorsement, of violence has attracted individuals from the fringes of society: Theodore Kaczynski, PhD, the so-called "Unabomber", whose "Manifesto" aggressively denounces industrialism and technology, and The Earth Liberation Front, a loosely-knit environmental community whose members participate in violent action, are among the well-known Neo-Luddites. Neo-Luddite ideals are presented in films, such as Godfrey Reggio's brilliant Qatsi Trilogy; on television (in Star Trek, the "Borg" are widely cited as the exemplars of the Neo-Luddite view of technology), and in popular literature, by authors such as Thomas Pynchon (Cf. "Is It O.K. To Be A Luddite?") and Clifford Stoll (author of Silicon Snake Oil --read reviews).
What Are They Saying?
Neo-Luddite ideas are ubiquitous in our culture, as they are in our lives--most of us probably know at least one person who has rejected modern technology to some extent. What are these ideas, and why have they proven so attractive to people for such an extended period of time?
