Luddism Remembered
It’s the anniversary of the first English Luddite riots against the introduction of machinery for spinning cotton in Manchester, England on this day in 1779.
From the Writer’s Almanac by Garrison Keillor
Available by e-mail daily.
Further reading available at Amazon Canada, US and UK
Give Luddism a Chance
Reprint from What I’m Thinking 2004
Give Luddism a chance. Now that’s a bumper sticker we need to see more of. Now I’m sure we all remember our history of General Ned Ludd and the Army of Redressers (note to Me: catchy name for a band) who, during the early 1810’s rebelled against progress and industrialization in Nottinghamshire. The Luddites were a bunch of good old boys who saw their livelihood and way of living disappearing and they thought that they’d stand up to the powers that were and fight for their rights. They also got to break stuff, with axes and hammers, and as we all know, that’s a heck of a lot of fun too.
What we need is a kind of modern version. OK what I need is a modern Luddite expression if we’re being completely honest. As mentioned, breaking things with hammers and axes is fun [we’re talking serious fun here], but that’s not the issue. Technical progress, ease of communication, the ability to be signed on to the Net at anytime from anyplace, this is that change that I need to get redressed. You see some poor schmuck needs to surrender the better part of his existence to ensure that all of those things continue unabated. He’s tied to a cell phone, pager, wireless on the laptop, all so that at any second of the day, any day, the “Bat Light” can be flashed on a cloud and he can spring to action to preserve the technical progress for the enjoyment of all. No thanks necessary… we schmucks are selfless.
But someday, perhaps soon, the pager, cell phone, and laptop will feel the weight of my Stanley wood handled hammer.. High-carbon steel head. Fully heat treated and polished bell face. Hickory handle.
Let Luddism ring!
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