Who Were the Luddites?
About the Luddites
Credit to the Luddites: At least they tried to do something. Misunderstood and often maligned—that is the true story of the Luddites.
The Luddites were members of a 19th-century movement of English textile workers who opposed the use of certain automated machinery. Their concerns centered around unfair worker pay, poor output quality, and the threat of machines replacing skilled labor.
In response, they organized raids and destroyed the machinery they believed harmed their livelihoods. They called themselves Luddites—followers of the legendary figure "Ned Ludd", a symbolic leader whose name appeared in threatening letters sent to mill owners and government officials.
What They Really Believed
Technology is everywhere today—shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and even our identities. Tech utopian Kevin Kelly once described technology as “a divine phenomenon that is a reflection of God. ”But the original Luddites would say: We are human—who else should question technology, if not us?
Looking past the myth, the Luddite movement reminds us that it is possible to live well with technology, only if we continually question how it shapes our lives.
It’s about the small things:– Cutting the cord once in a while– Shutting down the smartphone– Going out for a walk
But also the big things:– Challenging technologies that value profit or convenience over human wellbeing– Asking whether certain innovations make us “mechanical in head and in heart,” as Carlyle warned
Every now and then, it’s worth asking:
Which of our modern machines would General Ludd and Eliza Ludd choose to break—and which would they use to break them?
