what is luddite-ism?
(Yes, yes this is an odd post but, strangely, my site comes up first (at the moment) in a Google search for “luddite-ism” – who even knew that was a real way of writing that? – I am so proud, lol. Anyway, from the number of people looking for a definition of that term, I’m thinking possibly it’s a school assignment or something, so might as well lend a hand… )
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Luddites were a social movement of British textile artisans in the nineteenth century who protested—often by destroying mechanised looms—against the changes produced by the Industrial Revolution, which they felt were leaving them without work and changing their entire way of life.
The Leader of the Luddites, engraving of 1812
This English historical movement should be seen in the context of the era’s harsh economic climate due to the Napoleonic Wars, and the degrading working conditions in the new textile factories. Since then, however, the term Luddite has been used derisively to describe anyone opposed to (or perceived to be opposed to) technological progress and technological change.
The Luddite movement, which began in 1811 and 1812 when mills and pieces of factory machinery were burned by handloom weavers, took its name from the fictive Ned Ludd. For a short time the movement was so strong that it clashed in battles with the British Army. Measures taken by the British government included a mass trial at York in 1812 that resulted in many executions and penal transportations.
The principal objection of the Luddites was against the introduction of new wide-framed automated looms that could be operated by cheap, relatively unskilled labour, resulting in the loss of jobs for many skilled textile workers.
Nanette is | Topic: culture and such, learning stuff | Tags: luddite-ism
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