@cmccullough

Considering that the Luddites were all about maintaining a standard quality of work and being paid a fair share of the organization in which they were a part, something which capitalistic automation threatened on various levels, I daresay it's no insult, no insult at all.

The use of 'luddite' as a pejorative is a capitalist fiction.

@cmccullough
Wear the title with pride. Remember, the Luddites were against technology exploiting people, and maintaining their quality of life and work environment as a primary movement. Followed by anti-surveillance via technology, and rights to repair.

I say this as a person who grew up with Mennonites and Amish.

@cmccullough Short version: the Luddites were labour activists who spent TEN YEARS trying to get justice, and when they couldn't, they started busting the machines that were ruining their lives. They were BAD. ASS.

Skim:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite

Deep dive:

https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/understanding-the-luddites-in-the

#luddites #AI

@cmccullough That's actually a pretty solid description of what Luddites were.

They broke machines that were being used to devalue their professions and force them into becoming lower waged labourers.

@cmccullough +9001%

Fuck the genocidal #AIbros, they are a net negative to this world!

- We all should #MoveSlowAndBuildThings instead of #MoveFastAndBreakThings!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1dIC287Zz0

@cmccullough @nifta “it would be a shame if those GPUs were to overheat.” is the sort of thing a modern #Luddite might be heard to mutter from time to time.

#Sangamon from #Zodiac would have #MonkeyWrenching ideas.

@cmccullough

Clearly what ever genius called you a Luddite knows nothing about the actual history and purpose of that movement.

@cmccullough One thing about the current wave of Luddite epithets is that they're prompting people to learn the real labour history of the Luddite movement.

I've boiled it down to this: The Luddites were *expert* loom-users who only smashed the equipment of loom-owners who didn't engage in fair dealing.

@cmccullough “As the Liberty lads o'er the sea
Bought their freedom, and cheaply, with blood
So we, boys, we
Will die fighting, or live free,
And down with all kings but King Ludd”
― Lord Byron

#ButlerianJihadNow

@cmccullough

Eli make them, Eli break them, up the Luddites.

@cmccullough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ8_PnlEdBc

I'll drink to the memory of General Ludd

@cmccullough Luddites understood technology and its social and political implications better than most.

Wear the label with pride.

@cmccullough

The Luddites were right - and whatever one things of their tactics, all peaceful routes had been closed off and the owners used violence against them. They couldn't vote, the judiciary and the press were broadly in the hands of those who owned the mills... union activity was illegal -