Luddite.
You’ve definitely been hearing this word a lot recently.
A Luddite is “a person opposed to new technology or ways of working.”
That is the definition, at least according to Google.
In short, for over 200 years, it has been a derogatory term to label someone as irrationally afraid of technology or progress.
But where did this term come from? What is a Luddite?
And what if we told you that this was a classic case of the victors writing the history? What if we told you that you, (yes, you) in the age of AI, probably have more in common with those original machine-breakers than you think.
In this video, we explore the history of this group of rebels and their fight for dignity, self-determination, and freedom. Our main sources are Blood in the Machine by Brian Merchant and Rebels Against the Future by Kirkpatrick Sale.
We hope, by the end of this video, you’ll see why being called “Luddite” in a time of enclosure, corporate consolidation, expansion of polluting industrialism, automation, and alienation is not an insult, but rather, it’s a badge of honor.
“For what they are remembered for is that they resisted, not that they won.” — Kirkpatrick Sale, Rebels Against the Future
This video was made without the use of generative AI.
This video is made available early and ad-free exclusively for our paid subscribers. The expanded script/essay version of this video will be released tomorrow, exclusively for paid subscribers. If you can read this — thank you. We are so grateful for your support of Death in The Garden. We really hope you enjoy this film. We couldn’t have made it without you.
If you were a paid subscriber within the last 6 months and would like access to this video and follow-up essay that you helped us make, please send us a message so we can comp your subscription for the next month and give you full access. We will also add your name to the credits on the YouTube version of this video. Thank you for your support.
