Episode 39: The Politics of Air Pollution, Ozempic, and Luddism ft. Brian Merchant
Apr 22, 2024
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Freelance journalist Brian Merchant joins the show to talk about the history of Luddism. They delve into environmental justice regarding air pollution, government concerns on carcinogenicity, and the legacy of resistance against big tech. The conversation highlights the impact of Luddites on modern technology debates and the rising skepticism towards major tech corporations.
The Luddites' resistance was justified as they fought against industrial changes threatening their livelihoods through the introduction of mechanized machinery.
Post-Luddite defeat, ongoing resistance movements against big tech, exploitative working conditions, and labor abuse symbolize the enduring struggle for workers' rights.
The Luddites' history sheds light on workers' resistance during the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing their fight for labor rights amidst state oppression and technological advancements.
Deep dives
The Luddites' Rational Resistance to Industrial Changes
The Luddites, commonly misunderstood as backward thinkers resisting technology, were actually rational in their resistance to industrial changes that threatened their livelihoods. They protested the introduction of mechanized machinery that displaced human labor in their trades. Rather than blindly smashing machines, they had a valid cause to challenge the shifting dynamics of labor and industrialization.
Legacy of Luddites and Hopeful Organizing Efforts
Despite being crushed by state power siding with industrialists, the Luddites' legacy extended into hopeful organizing efforts that emerged from their defeat. Post-defeat, various resistance movements and organizing initiatives against big tech, exploitative working conditions, and labor abuse have continued to show promise, signifying ongoing struggles against oppressive systems.
Unearthing Alternate History Through Luddites' Story
The Luddites' story unveils an alternate history emphasizing the role of workers and their resistance amidst the Industrial Revolution. Unlike the mainstream narrative focused on technological advancements and inventors, the real history includes workers' struggles, state oppression, and the fight for labor rights, offering a nuanced perspective on the true impact of industrialization on society.
The Luddites' Resistance Against Industrialization
The cloth workers in England, the largest industrial base at the time, petitioned the crown and parliament in the early 1800s for regulations on trade and minimum wages to protect against the disruption caused by machinery. Early industrialists exploited loopholes to evade laws and exploit workers, leading to decreased wages and poor product quality. The Luddites, not against technology itself, employed tactics targeting factory owners who disregarded worker livelihoods, embodying a grassroots resistance aiming to balance power and protect workers' rights.
Modern Parallels to Luddite Resistance in Tech Industry
In the current tech landscape, analogous to the Luddites' era, workers asserting their rights against exploitative practices are noticeable in movements like Black Lives Matter and Occupy Wall Street. The resistance may not involve violent acts like machine-breaking but extends to critiquing surveillance in Amazon warehouses or demanding worker oversight in AI companies. The narrative against big tech dominance reverberates in modern culture and public discourse, echoing the Luddites' struggle against industrialists.
Episode 39: The Politics of Air Pollution, Ozempic, and Luddism ft. Brian Merchant
In this episode, Shobita and Jack tackle the EPA's recent efforts to increase monitoring of air pollutants, Jack's new documentary on existential risks, and the Ozempic craze. And Jack chats with Brian Merchant, a freelance journalist who focuses on tech who recently wrote Blood in the machine: The origins of rebellion against big techabout the history of Luddism.
