Echoes of #Plato: #NeoLuddism — reclaiming the human in the digital age

Making room for humanity in the march of technology

“The machines were their enemies, for the machines were the means by which greedy masters enforced their will.” — – E.P. Thompson, The Making of the English Working Class (1963)

by Kem-Laurin Lubin, Jan 4, 2025

"Modern neo-Luddism draws inspiration from this historical movement, but rather than opposing all forms of #technology, it critiques the #uncritical adoption of digital tools and automation. Neo-Luddites are not anti-technology per se; instead, they advocate for a more #mindful and selective use of technology, prioritizing human #WellBeing, #EnvironmentalSustainability, and meaningful #SocialInteractions.

"In today’s context, neo-Luddism is less about destroying machines and more about reclaiming control over how technology shapes daily life. It questions the pervasive influence of #smartphones, #SocialMedia, and constant #connectivity, encouraging moments of #disconnection to foster deeper, more authentic human experiences.

"This philosophy underpins the growing trend of 'no-tech meetups,' where individuals come together to temporarily step away from digital distractions and reconnect in more organic, face-to-face ways [Like listening to vinyl records with a friend!]. Neo-Luddites advocate for a conscious retreat from digital dependence, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face communication and preserving human connection without the interference of screens. These gatherings, often called '#LudditeClubs' or 'analog meetups,' create spaces where participants can engage in conversations, activities, and communal experiences free from the distractions of smartphones, social media, and other digital tools.

"The motivations behind this movement are diverse. Some individuals express concerns over privacy and the pervasive #surveillance associated with digital platforms. Some lament the growing loss of #jobs and community. Others seek to combat the social isolation and mental health challenges exacerbated by excessive screen time. #Environmental considerations also play a role, with participants mindful of the ecological impact of #ElectronicWaste and the resource demands of constant technological upgrades."

Read more:
https://medium.com/the-academic/echoes-of-plato-neo-luddism-reclaiming-the-human-in-the-digital-age-a565045253a4

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/6tQNO

#Philosophy #RightToRepair #EWaste #PlannedObsolescence #LudditeClub #NeoLuddite #UseYourBrain #DigitalAge #ReadABook #SmartphoneAddiction #TechAddiction #MentalHealth #BrainHealth #DatacentersUseTooMuchElectricity

Why teens are ditching their smartphones — and how to live without one
Maybe your teen will ditch their smartphone, too. Here’s how they can do it

By Natalie Issa
Published: Aug 10, 2023

Excerpt: "A recent study published by APA PsycNet found that limited smartphone use has its benefits.

"For this study, German researches monitored two groups: one group that stopped using smartphones altogether and a second group that reduced smartphone use by one hour everyday. Both groups were monitored over one week.

"While both groups saw an increase in life satisfaction and physical activity, the group that only limited phone use by one hour saw stronger and more sustainable effects over four months. Additionally, this group saw a decrease in the number of cigarettes they smoked everyday.

"The study concluded that 'conscious and controlled changes of daily time spent on smartphone use can contribute to subjective well-being (less depressive and anxiety symptoms, less problematic use tendencies, more life satisfaction) and to a healthier lifestyle (more physical activity, less smoking behavior) in the longer term.' "

Read more:
https://www.deseret.com/23583331/teens-smartphones/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/nyDOL

#LudditeClub #NeoLuddite #UseYourBrain #ReadABook #SmartphoneAddiction #TechAddiction #MentalHealth #BrainHealth

Hello! Are you a technologist/software person that lives in the #Seattle area? Are you also an AI skeptic ? Would you like to give a talk on the subject at a local meetup? If so I can get you in front of an audience at the meetup I help run, Puget Sound Programming Python, aka PuPPy. Please reach out. Boosts welcome.

#AISkepticism #NeoLuddite

this one resonated so much! ive quite proudly calling myself a #NeoLuddite and this nay be one of the few cases of 'good ol days' #privacy #luddism #criticaltech

https://www.joanwestenberg.com/im-tired-of-pretending-tech-is-making-the-world-better/

Now in College, #LudditeTeens Still Don’t Want Your Likes

Three years after starting a club meant to fight #SocialMedia’s grip on young people, many original members are holding firm and gaining new converts.

By Alex Vadukul
Jan. 30, 2025

"Biruk Watling, a college sophomore wearing a baggy coat and purple fingerless gloves, walked the chilly campus of Temple University in #Philadelphia on a recent afternoon to recruit new members to her club.
She taped a flier to a pole: '#JoinTheLudditeClub For #MeaningfulConnections.' Down the block, she posted another one: 'Do You Desire a Healthier Relationship With Technology, Especially Social Media? The Luddite Club Welcomes You and Your Ideas.'

"When a student approached, Ms. Watling dove into her pitch.

"'Our club promotes #ConsciousConsumption of #technology,' she said. 'We’re for #HumanConnection. I’m one of the first members of the original Luddite Club in #Brooklyn. Now I’m trying to start it in #Philly.

"She pulled out a #FlipPhone, mystifying her recruit.

"'We use these,' she said. 'This has been the most freeing experience of my life.'
If Ms. Watling had a missionary’s zeal, it was because she wasn’t just promoting a student club, but an approach to modern life that profoundly changed her two years ago, when she helped form the Luddite Club as a high school student in New York.

"But that was then, back when things were simpler, before she had embarked on the more independent life of a college student and found herself having to navigate QR codes, two-factor-identification logins, dating apps and other digital staples of campus life.

"The #LudditeClub was the subject of an article I wrote in 2022 — a story that, ironically, went viral. It told of how a group of teenage tech skeptics from Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn and a few other schools in the city gathered on weekends in Prospect Park to enjoy some time together away from the machine.

"They #sketched and #painted side by side. They read quietly, favoring works by #Dostoyevsky, #Kerouac and #Vonnegut. They sat on logs and groused about how #TikTok was dumbing down their generation. Their flip phones were decorated with stickers and nail polish.

"Readers inspired by their message responded in hundreds of emails and comments. Reporters from Germany, Brazil, Japan and elsewhere flooded my inbox, asking me how to reach these students who were so hard to track down online. Snarky Reddit threads and think pieces sprouted. #RalphNader endorsed the club in an opinion essay, writing: 'This is a rebellion that needs support and diffusion.'"

Read more:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/style/luddite-teens-reunion.html

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/
#SolarPunkSunday #Nature #NeoLuddite #Luddites #LessScreenTime #MoreBoardGames #MoreGreenTime #MoreOutdoorTime #FlipPhones #MoreBooks #ResistTheMachine

When I see "AI" and "revenue" in close proximity, I reach for Enoch's Hammer. #NeoLuddite

https://flipboard.com/@semafor/semafor-qhf227ugz/-/a-HJkv2d6WQjW2C1dX5UaMvQ%3Aa%3A3943444710-%2F0

Some combination of stuff in this old-ass building I live in (older than Marx) buzzes at regular intervals the exact same way an old phone I had did and I constantly feel as if I'm hearing a notification come through. This will either fix or break me. Stay tuned, folks!

#OldBuilding #GhostNotifications #Vibrations #NeoLuddite