After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Dark History of the Luddites
Jul 17, 2025
Explore the captivating tale of the Luddites, the original tech rebels of the early 19th century. Delve into their passionate march through England, sparked by fears of losing jobs to machines. Discover the complexities of their resistance and the infamous Ned Ludd, as well as the personal stories of workers facing moral dilemmas. A satirical look reveals tensions between progress and societal upheaval, while the narrative weaves through violent confrontations with factory owners, echoing modern anxieties about technology's impact on jobs.
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Luddites' Symbolic Machine Attacks
- Luddites attacked machines as symbolic enemies of their livelihoods and way of life.
- Their actions were deliberate and ritualistic, involving masks and torches to create fear and misrule.
Context of Luddite Resistance
- The Luddites emerged amid the Industrial Revolution and food shortages during the Napoleonic Wars.
- New technology displaced skilled labor, fueling fear and resistance in northern England's industrial regions.
Luddite Opposition Nuanced
- Luddites resisted labor-saving machinery threatening artisanal jobs, not technology in general.
- Their movement was fragmented but united by opposition to specific machines impacting livelihoods.
