What is a Luddite? A technologist explains.

The word “Luddite” appeared England in the early 1800s. There was a flourishing textile industry of the time based on hand knitting frames and skilled manpower creating cloth and garments from cotton and wool. But as industrial revolution Steam-powered mills threatened the livelihood of thousands of artisans.

Faced with an industrialized future that threatened their jobs and professional identity, more and more textile workers turned to direct action. Led by their leader, Ned Loud, they began smashing the machines they saw, robbing the galvanized of their source of income.

It is not clear whether it is. Ned Loud was a real man.Or simply a myth created during the upheaval. But his name became synonymous with resistance to disruptive new technologies—an association that endures to this day.

Asking is not saying no.

Contrary to popular belief, The original Luddites were not anti-technologyThey were not Inadequate in technology. Rather, thThey were skilled adopters and users of handicraft textile technologies of the time. Their argument was not with technology, but with the way wealthy industrialists were robbing their way of life.

Today, this distinction is sometimes lost.

Being called a Luddite often indicates a lack of technological incompetence – as in “I don’t know how to send an emoji. I’m such a Luddite. Or he expresses a reluctance to ignore technology: “He’s a Luddite for refusing to use Venmo.

In December 2015, Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk and Bill Gates for “The Luddite AwardHe said. What about their sins? Raising concerns about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.

The irony of three prominent scientists and entrepreneurs being labeled Luddites highlights the disconnect between the term’s original meaning and its modern use as a metaphor for wholeheartedly and unquestioningly rejecting technological progress.

Techies like Musk and Gates, however, do not deny technology or innovation. Rather, they are rejecting the worldview that all technological advances are beneficial to society. This worldview optimistically assumes that the faster human innovation, the better the future.

This “Move quickly and break thingsIn recent years, the approach to technological innovation has increased, especially awareness has grown. Unrestricted creativity can lead to deeply harmful consequences A level of responsibility and forethought can help.

Why Luddism Matters in the Age of AI

By age Discussion GPTgene editing and other transformative technologies, perhaps we should all channel the spirit of Ned Ludd as we struggle to ensure that future technologies do more good than harm.

in fact, “Neo-Luddites” or “New Luddites” is a term that emerged in the late 20th century.

In the year In 1990, psychologist Chellis Glendinning published an article entitled,Notes to the Neo-Luddite ManifestoHe said.

In it, she recognizes the nature of the early Luddite movement and relates it to the growing relationship between societal values ​​and technological innovation in the late 20th century. As Glendinning writes, “Like the early Luddites, we are a desperate people seeking to protect our beloved livelihoods, communities, and families, which are on the brink of destruction.”

On the one hand, entrepreneurs and others who argue for a more measured approach to technological innovation so that we don’t stumble into avoidable and potentially dangerous risks are frequently labeled “neo-Luddites.”

These individuals represent professionals who believe in the power of technology to positively change the future, but are also aware of the social, environmental and economic risks of dark innovation.

Then there are the neo-Luddites who actively oppose modern technologies, fearing that they are harming society. New York City The Luddite Club It falls into this camp. Founded by a group of tech-obsessed Generations, the club encourages using flip phones, making crafts, hanging out in parks, and reading hardcover or paperback books. Screens are anathema to the group, which sees them as mental health waste.

I’m not sure how many of today’s neo-Luddites — whether they’re tech-savvy, tech-averse teenagers, or people simply uncomfortable with technological disruption — have read Glendinning’s Manifesto. And sure, some parts are controversial. Yet there is a common thread here: the idea that technology can cause personal and societal harm if not developed responsibly.

And maybe this approach isn’t such a bad thing.

Want to learn more about AI, chatbots and the future of machine learning? Check out our full coverage Artificial intelligenceor our guides to The best free AI art generators And Everything we know about OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Andrew MaynardAdvanced technology transfer professor Arizona State University

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