Is it time for a Luddite Renaissance?
Throughline
This episode of Throughline explores the historical origins of the Luddites—often dismissed as anti-technology rebels—and recontextualizes them
Key takeaways
- The original Luddites were not mindless destroyers of machines but organized labor activists defending their livelihoods and skills against industrial automation.
Main topics
- History of the original Luddite movement
- Labor rights and resistance to industrialization
Notable quotes
"If you're working conditions, your skill, your worth as an individual against a system that seems to be removing that skill and that independence... that's what the Luddites were talking about."
Conclusion
The episode concludes that while the original Luddites were not opposed to technology per se, they
Transcript preview
Speaker 7 (0:00) Looking for love? One New York event promises to find you your perfect match using Palantir, though not affiliated with the actual software company. Speaker 3 (0:07) They can sue me. I could lose everything, but it would all be worth it if at least two people here have a spark. So, no pressure. Speaker 7 (0:16) The facts, myths, and dark jokes surrounding Palantir. Listen to Planet Money on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Speaker 3 (0:24) The American people have not provided their consent to the complete takeover of our interpersonal relationships by artificial intelligence. What is happening? Why is this happening so fast? Why didn't I get a Santa? It's Speaker 7 (0:38) cognitive offloading. It's dangerous and it takes away thought and it takes away analysis. Speaker 3 (0:43) I feel like I'm living in a nightmare. What's Speaker 7 (0:46) happening with AI right now is exactly why the Luddites smashed the mechanical loop. They're calling it the Summer of Ludd, inspired by the first Luddites. If Speaker 3 (0:55) this was a disease, the cure is human connection. Speaker 2 (1:01) A lot of us are worried right now about how AI is changing the way we work and live. And sure, it isn't the first time in history that a new technology has upended society. But something about this moment feels more existential. Like the very core of who we are as human beings is under threat, challenging the way we think, communicate, connect. Meanwhile, data centers are popping up in cities across the country, prompting pushback from local communities. Which is probably why some people are now calling themselves new Luddites and trying to spark a Luddite renaissance. Now, I've heard that word thrown around a lot. I've even been accused of being a Luddite myself on occasion. And I know that it generally means people who are antiquated or resistant to change or new technology. But who were they really? And what was their movement actually about? That's what One Through Line listener Drew Barrett wrote to us wanting to know. Hi. Very nice to meet you. Speaker 5 (2:02) Hi. Nice to meet you, too. Speaker 6 (2:04) Drew talked to me from his home in Colorado. Speaker 5 (2:06) I live in Golden, but largely I'm in Denver. Speaker 6 (2:10) Drew considers himself a modern Luddite. Speaker 5 (2:12) Thinking about them now, I think Luddite is, like, synonymous with, like, you know, Neanderthal or something like that, where it's, like, a term that's, like, used to, as kind of disparaging, but it feels more like it was almost a labor movement. Speaker 6 (2:28) Labor activists or Neanderthals? Heroes or villains? On this episode of ThruLine, we're taking on Drew's question and digging into the story of the original Luddites. That's coming up. Speaker 4 (2:55) This message comes from WISE, the smart way to manage your money around the world. With WISE, you can send, spend, and receive money in over 40 currencies at the mid-market rate. Learn more at WISE.com. T's and C's apply. Speaker 3 (3:10) Hey, it's Mike Danforth, executive producer of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Here's Speaker 4 (3:13) a Speaker 3 (3:13) great way to get the perks of being an NPR producer without doing any of the work. Join NPR+. With NPR +, you get extended interviews, inside looks at your favorite shows, and more. all while supporting NPR and never having to pull an all-nighter. Or if you work on one of the new shows, an all-morninger. Sign up at plus.npr.org. On NPR's Wildcard Speaker 7 (3:37) podcast, musician Sarah Bareilles on being a crier. My mom is a big crier, too, and she loves to take credit for my crying. Mom, my crying is mine. Watch or listen to that Wildcard conversation on the NPR app, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Speaker 7 (4:00) This message comes from the NPR Wine Club, which has generated over $1.75 million to support NPR. Whether buying a few bottles or joining the club, learn more at nprwineclub.org slash podcast. Must be 21 or older to purchase. Speaker 2 (4:19) I'm curious, when did you first hear the word Luddite? I'm from Speaker 8 (4:24) near Manchester in the northwest of England. That's one of the areas that Luddites were active. So, yeah, very much from childhood, really. Speaker 6 (4:34) This is Katrina Navikas, a history professor at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. Speaker 8 (4:40) And my new book is