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![]() Luddite. I can’t imagine being like that. I can’t imagine just being dead to the technological world. Being frightened and hateful of it. The way that I spend my day, the way that I communicate. The way that I find capacity to do what I love and live for - I look to technology of all sorts. The luddites were originally a movement in the 60’s against technology. There are many views of this movement. Some say that they were simply scared people looking for something to blame. And in essence they blamed the only thing that caused their fear - technology. You see, these sort of people don’t want change. They are very familiar and happy with the way that their life is going at the moment. They see technology as a catalyst for disaster. It’s true. Sometimes technology can fuck things up. But all great changes in human evolution have gone through a transition period in which they work out the bugs and then things are better than before it all started. A new group of people are forming, and it scares me. These are the neo-luddites. They don’t hate technology - quite as much. You see, they can use a phone and not have a problem. But they are combating against computers! Severe hatred for the demon boxes (their word not mine) is shared with the slightest passerby given the chance. These are the punks will only read typewritten zines, shy away from desktop publishing, and abhor net zines such as this. I just don’t understand how something so useful, so open to help you, such a valuable tool in today’s society - could not be embraced. Is this strictly fear? If so, the tables are turned. I am afraid of such people. These people don’t do this as a joke or to be "cool". They believe in this shit with everything they’ve got. I talked to a neo-luddite a while ago. He told me that he would rather write with a piece of shit and a stick than use a computer. I didn’t blow up, I didn’t mention my pastime and love. I just laughed nervously and left soon after. I saw him other times at shows and around. We were somewhat friendly with each other, but whenever I see him, this neo-luddite classification comes to mind. Every aspect of American life is influenced by computers. You can’t drive a car, buy a CD, read a magazine, call your friends, or eat Wendy’s without a computer interacting in there somewhere. And these are just everyday occurrences. This is what scares that neo-luddites. But by trying to not use technology, they aren’t making a good point. They can’t do a complete boycott (and still live normally in the city). And they can’t convince most people (especially not me) to give up computers. Yet they exist. I know that their will be no luddites reading this column. But if you run into them, would you let them know that they are living a lost cause that was over 30 years ago. Thanks. For more information on luddites - Check out the article in Wired 3.06 or the interview with a luddite in the same issue. You can gain the most information from - believe it or not - www.luddites.com. I'm not sure if it's put up as a joke, or quite what it's purpose is, but it's there. |