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submitted 7 months ago by jeena@jemmy.jeena.net to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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[-] BreakDecks@lemmy.ml 56 points 7 months ago

The original Luddite movement was literally a worker's rights movement, and the "irrationally afraid of technology" characterization was manufactured by the ruling class, so yes. The Luddites were right then and they're right now too.

[-] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 26 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

The only problem the Luddites had is they went and busted the machines instead of the rich owners' kneecaps.

If you say, "they did that too!" Well, NOT ENOUGH!!

[-] BreakDecks@lemmy.ml 6 points 7 months ago

instead

I'd rather they do both.

[-] static_dragon@lemmy.zip 4 points 7 months ago

There was an episode of Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff that covered the luddites, I had no idea beforehand what they actually stood for, fascinating stuff

[-] capital@lemmy.world -3 points 7 months ago

As someone who regularly saves time by automating, I can’t get on board for a movement which directly opposes process improvement by improving efficiency.

[-] verdigris@lemmy.ml 11 points 7 months ago

They're not, they're opposing a process that leads to garbage output and horrible systemic efficiency.

[-] capital@lemmy.world 0 points 7 months ago

Luddites objected primarily to the rising popularity of automated textile equipment, threatening the jobs and livelihoods of skilled workers as this technology allowed them to be replaced by cheaper and less skilled workers.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite

I’ve also read a book on the subject of Luddites and it was clear to me that it was a response to higher efficiency machinery replacing the need for a good portion of their jobs.

[-] sorrybookbroke@sh.itjust.works 8 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

This led to mass starvation as the workers no longer could feed themselves and no industry replaced the lost work. The textiles produced were of lower quality too, and sold for less which harmed the local economy leading to a rise in food prices along with the lower wages. Since the vast majority of arable land was used for cotton too no local food could lower the prices. Many people died as the luddites predicted.

There was mass starvation

They were right. This is not "anti-automation" this is against lower wages, mass unemployment, and an economic decrease. The automation was the cause of this, yes, but the concept of automation was not the issue. The issue was it's use here.

If the workers were provided an alternative job, if there was some plan to avoid starvation, and if the textiles were of a reasonable quality then there would be no issue.

History proved the luddites correct

[-] BreakDecks@lemmy.ml 3 points 7 months ago

The Luddites lost, but you should read the rest of this wiki article to learn how that happened, and consider again which side you're on.

this post was submitted on 19 Apr 2024
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Linux

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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