99% Invisible – 552- Blood in the Machine

Intro

In the “Blood in the Machine” episode of the “99% Invisible” podcast, the host explores the history of the Luddite movement in the 19th century and its relevance in today’s world. The Luddites were English textile workers who rose up against the automation and machines that threatened their livelihoods. The episode delves into the complex and nuanced story of the Luddites, their concerns about technology, and the impact of their movement.

Main Takeaways

The Luddite Movement and Technology’s Impact

• The Luddites were a powerful organization with legitimate concerns about how technology was exploiting them.
• The rise of factories and automation caused alarm among cloth workers, who feared losing their autonomy and dignity.
• Automation led to the rise of child labor and dangerous factory conditions.
• The Luddite movement began as a response to the introduction of automated machinery.
• Workers formed a trade organization to address the negative impact of automation but were denied by the British parliament.

The Luddite Movement and Resistance

• The Luddites targeted machines that had recently been introduced, sending threatening letters to factory owners and conducting nighttime raids.
• George Meller was a famous Luddite leader who opposed the use of automated machinery.
• The government responded to the Luddites with increasing punitive measures, including making machine-breaking a crime punishable by death.
• The Luddites attacked a major factory but were ultimately defeated by soldiers and mercenaries.
• The defeat of the Luddites meant that factory owners won, and the industrial revolution spread.

Legacy of the Luddites and Technology Today

• The defeat of the Luddites made it taboo to question how technology was used in the workplace, and technology became synonymous with progress.
• The term “Luddite” was taken over by capitalists and industrialists to mean anti-progress and anti-technology.
• There are new threads of Luddism being seen today, such as resistance against the use of AI in creative industries.
• The way technology is imposed on the economy today mirrors the past, and solutions proposed by the Luddites are similar to proposals like a robot tax.
• Brian Merchant’s book, “Blood in the Machine,” provides more details on the Luddites and their rebellion against Big Tech.

Summary

The Luddite Movement and Technology’s Impact

The Luddite movement emerged as a response to the introduction of automated machinery in the textile industry. Workers feared losing their autonomy, dignity, and good working conditions. Automation led to the rise of child labor and dangerous factory conditions. Despite their efforts to address these issues, the British parliament denied the workers’ trade organization, leaving them with no legal recourse.

The Luddite Movement and Resistance

The Luddites conducted targeted attacks on machines that had recently been introduced. They sent threatening letters to factory owners and carried out nighttime raids, smashing only the machines involved in automation. The government responded with increasingly punitive measures, including making machine-breaking a crime punishable by death. The Luddites faced defeat when they attacked a major factory and were overpowered by soldiers and mercenaries.

Legacy of the Luddites and Technology Today

The defeat of the Luddites had lasting consequences. It became taboo to question how technology was used in the workplace, and technology became synonymous with progress. The term “Luddite” was co-opted by capitalists and industrialists to dismiss any opposition to technological advancements. However, there are new threads of Luddism emerging today, with resistance against the use of AI in creative industries. The Luddite movement offers lessons for addressing the impact of technology on workers and society.

Conclusion

The story of the Luddites serves as a reminder that the impact of technology on workers and society is not a new concern. The Luddites’ struggle against automation and exploitation resonates with current debates surrounding technology and its consequences. Understanding their history can inform discussions on how to address the challenges posed by automation and ensure that technological advancements benefit all. Brian Merchant’s book, “Blood in the Machine,” provides a deeper exploration of the Luddites’ rebellion against Big Tech and its relevance today.