Reconsidering the Luddites: Exploring Grievances with Technology and Labor Exploitation

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The author reflects on their journey towards understanding the Luddites and their grievances with technology, recounting personal experiences and recent events that made them question the belief that the tech industry is always a force for progress. They also delve into the term 'Luddite' and its relevance in today's society, discussing the rise of gig work and the impact of generative AI on labor.

Paris Marx is joined by Brian Merchant to discuss the history of the Luddites, why we have their story all wrong, and what we can learn from them today.

Brian Merchant is the technology columnist at the LA Times and the author of Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is produced by Eric Wickham and part of the Harbinger Media Network.

Also mentioned in this episode:

An excerpt from Brian’s book was published in Fast Company. He also explained why he’s a Luddite in the Washington Post.
In 2014, Brian wrote “You’ve Got the Luddites All Wrong.”
On October 12, we’ll be holding a Luddite Tribunal in New York City.
We also mentioned the work of David Noble, Eric Hobsbawm, and E. P. Thompson.

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