The Luddites weren’t anti-technology—they opposed machines that destroyed their livelihoods and benefited factory owners at workers’ expense. Their resistance was a critique of the social and economic chaos caused by the Industrial Revolution. Over time, “Luddite” became an insult due to capitalist propaganda, dismissing their valid concerns about inequality and exploitation. Seen in context, they were early critics of unchecked capitalism and harmful technological change—issues still relevant today.
No, I mean exploited workers. The Industrial Revolution drove down wages for both skilled and unskilled laborers.
Christ, THIS old canard? This line hasn’t been in-vogue since the fucking 80s.
Factory owners took advantage of this by pocketing the “savings” from lower wages, while workers saw little benefit.
Oh, yes, that’s how economies work. There’s one actor, the owners, and everyone else just goes along with it.
If you’re unclear about what I mean, feel free to ask rather than assuming—thanks!
Don’t worry, it’s quite clear that you don’t have the first clue what you’re talking about.
These two things aren’t mutually exclusive. Yes, the Luddites were fighting to protect their livelihoods, but their resistance also came from a legitimate concern about systemic injustice. Economic self-interest can align with justice, especially when the system is exploiting workers across the board.
Wealthy and poor manufacturers joining up to destroy new technology that will drive them out of business? Clearly a case of justice spiriting these fine folk to conveniently destroy their competition!
Or are you under the impression that the Luddites were all poor too?
Christ, THIS old canard? This line hasn’t been in-vogue since the fucking 80s.
Cite something proving me wrong? I am open to correction but I am having a legitimate discussion working off 100% of my economic knowledge here so I can’t just take your insults and magically become corrected.
You get really mean about these things for no reason, PugJesus. Why are you so violent with your words?
Cite something proving me wrong? I am open to correction but I am having a legitimate discussion working off 100% of my economic knowledge here so I can’t just take your insults and magically become corrected.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2596251
You get really mean about these things for no reason, PigJesus. Why are you so violent with your words?
Why do you think it’s such a light thing to spread misinformation?
When people try to ply revisionist histories to suit their ideologies contrary to actual historical fact, but being easy to spread and create urban myths of, should I not be upset? Just piling on myth after myth - ‘Luddites were just working for justice! It’s nothing like horse breeders opposing motorized transport!’, ‘The Luddites were the poor workers against oppression!’, ‘The Industrial Revolution drove down wages for everyone!’, ‘Capitalists pocketed the income from the improvement of machinery while workers saw no benefit!’ My response is to give you a pat on the shoulder and a “Oh, shucks, you!”?
You can’t UNspread a rumor or an urban myth. Once it’s said, once it’s out there, people believe it. The damage is done. The response to this is not to treat such myths and rumors as a light thing, but as a serious thing.
Fuck’s sake. There are 150+ people, at minimum, now who’ve seen and probably taken the meme as fact, implying that the Luddites were fighting oppression. No more than a handful will read this far down into the comments. You’ve spread misinformation to 150+ people, some of whom will go on to spread this misinformation in their own lives. Only a few will ever be corrected.
It’s for this reason that there are constant historical myths that have to be fought in the public consciousness, and why they never fucking die. Because people don’t even think twice about parroting them, especially if it fits some piece of their worldview comfortably.
Sorry but fly on the wall. The link you posted I have read through and appears to actually discredit your assertion.
Thanks for sharing the link! I don’t have access to it through any institution, but if you have any quotes or key points, feel free to pass them along.
Why do you think it’s such a light thing to spread misinformation?
I don’t think it’s light, but when I counter misinformation, I try to stay calm and avoid getting personal. Why do you seem so upset when we disagree on an innocuous historical point? Who am I hurting by being wrong here?
Now, let’s address some of the points you’ve raised:
Luddites were just working for justice!
I didn’t say that. The Luddites were fighting for justice, among other things, but not just that.
It’s nothing like horse breeders opposing motorized transport!
I didn’t say they were nothing alike, I said they weren’t exactly the same. I explained how the Luddites’ resistance was different, mainly due to the exploitation involved.
The Luddites were the poor workers against oppression!
I’ve never said that, and I fully recognize that the Luddites weren’t necessarily of low income.
The Industrial Revolution drove down wages for everyone!
I said it drove down wages for both skilled and unskilled workers in fields affected by industrialization. I’m open to correction if that’s inaccurate.
Capitalists pocketed the income
I never said “income,” I said profit. There’s a key difference, and it’s in my original comment.
While workers saw no benefit!
I never said workers saw no benefit. What I said was that workers faced lower wages and worse labor conditions.
So that’s… six straw men in a single comment. One misrepresentation happens, sure, but none of the words you put in my mouth are things I would ever say. It seems like you’re assuming what I’m saying before, during, and after I say it. This is why the conversation isn’t going productively. Some people call it “shadow boxing,” and it leads to misunderstandings.
