From Luddites to Tech Giants: Lessons from Historical Protests for the Digital Age

Brian Merchant, an author and journalist, has written a book titled “Blood in the Machine” that explores the similarities between the Luddite revolt in England at the beginning of the 19th century and current technological issues. The Luddites were primarily a labor struggle, not a movement against technology itself, at a time when unions were prohibited. The book highlights how the Luddites were fighting against poverty and poor working conditions rather than progress or technology.

Merchant’s research for the book began a decade ago when he noticed the impact of Uber on taxi drivers and heard the term Luddite being used by pro-Uber advocates. He clarifies that the development of new technologies today is still largely undemocratic, with decisions being made by a select group of individuals with access to capital and resources. Merchant critiques the notion that technological advancements always lead to progress, arguing that the impact on workers and society is often overlooked.

The book delves into the historical context of the Luddites and draws parallels to contemporary situations in Silicon Valley where a small group of corporations dominate technological advancements. The development of new technologies today is still largely undemocratic, with decisions being made by a select group of individuals with access to capital and resources.

Merchant questions the effectiveness of proposed solutions like universal basic income as a band-aid for larger structural problems. The book also discusses growing anger towards big tech companies and potential for more disruptive actions like recent attacks on Waymo self-driving cars.

Overall, “Blood in the Machine” sheds light on historical significance of Luddites’ struggle against oppressive working conditions while drawing connections to contemporary issues surrounding technology, labor rights, and social inequality through an analysis past and present events.