Neo-Luddism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neo-Luddism is a modern movement of opposition to specific or general technological development.
The term "Neo-Luddite" is derived from Luddite, a political/historical term relating to a political movement by that name, that took place in England during the Industrial Revolution
The term "neo-Luddite" is often deployed by advocates of technology to describe persons or organizations that resist technological advances.
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[edit] Views
Neo-Luddites come from a variety of political backgrounds, ranging from anarchists (such as anarcho-primitivists) to political conservatives (such as eco-fascists).
Neo-Luddites claim that there are a wide range of problems with the development of technology including:
- Increases in government/ corporate control over individual lives, which might lead to a totalitarian state
- loss of personal privacy due to development of surveillance technologies
- dehumanization
- alienation[1], depression, and other mental disorders[2]
- environmental degradation[3]
- increased division of labor[4][3]
- Health problems caused by industrialization, such as cancers, heart disease, and birth defects
- social decay
- the possibility of nuclear war
- cruelty to animals
- the destruction of tribal[5] and nature-based[6] ways of life
Some neo-Luddites, such as those in the anarcho-primitivist or green anarchist movements advance explicitly anti-technology arguments, viewing technology as a fundamental form of oppression, destruction, and alienation. Notable thinkers and writers in this vein include John Zerzan, Derrick Jensen, Jacques Ellul, Kirkpatrick Sale, and Chellis Glendinning.
The actions and words of Theodore Kaczynski[7] and groups like the Earth Liberation Front may also be seen as a militant articulation of Luddism.
The historical Luddite movement of the early 19th century is often referenced positively by people who consider themselves Luddites.
[edit] See also
- Anarcho-Primitivism
- Green anarchism
- Luddite
- Unabomber
- Deep ecology
- Transhumanism
- Monkeywrenching
- Eco-terrorism
- CLODO
[edit] References
- ^ Jensen, Derrick; Julie Mayeda. "Enemy of the State: An Interview with John Zerzan" (in English). http://www.insurgentdesire.org.uk/enemy.htm. Retrieved on 2009-03-13.
- ^ Zerzan, John. "The Mass Psychology of Misery" (in English). http://www.insurgentdesire.org.uk/massmisery.htm. Retrieved on 2009-03-13.
- ^ a b Zerzan, John. "Greasing the Rails to a Cyborg Future" (in English). http://www.insurgentdesire.org.uk/greasing.htm. Retrieved on 2009-03-13.
- ^ Jensen, Derrick (May 15, 2001). "You May Be an Anarchist -And Not Even Know It" (in English). The Sun. http://www.insurgentdesire.org.uk/jensen.htm. Retrieved on 2009-03-13.
- ^ Tucker, Kevin. "Revolt of the Savages: Primitive Revolts Against Civilization" (in English). Green Anarchy Issue #14. http://www.insurgentdesire.org.uk/savages.htm. Retrieved on 2009-03-13.
- ^ Sepulveda, Jesus (August 2005). "Stones Can Speak: Bolivia and the Lulaization of South America" (in English). Green Anarchy, Issue #21. http://www.insurgentdesire.org.uk/stones.htm. Retrieved on 2009-03-13.
- ^ Kaczynski, Theodore (Spring 2002). "Hit Where It Hurts" (in english). Green Anarchy Issue #8. http://www.insurgentdesire.org.uk/hti.htm. Retrieved on 2009-03-13.
[edit] Further reading
- Sale, Kirkpatrick (1996) Rebels Against The Future: The Luddites And Their War On The Industrial Revolution: Lessons For The Computer Age Basic Books, ISBN 978-0201407181
- Postman, Neil (1992) Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology Knopf, New York, ISBN 0-394-58272-1
- Quigley, Peter (1998) Coyote in the Maze: Tracking Edward Abbey in a World of Words University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, ISBN 0-87480-563-5
- Roszak, Theodore (1994) The Cult of Information: A Neo-Luddite Treatise on High-Tech, Artificial Intelligence, and the True Art of Thinking (2nd ed.) University of California Press, Berkeley, California, ISBN 0-520-08584-1
- Tenner, Edward (1996) Why Things Bite Back: Technology and the Revenge of Unintended Consequences Knopf, New York, ISBN 0-679-42563-2
