Why is Luddite a derogatory term?

The more I have read about the Luddites, the more I get concerned about the use of the term 'Luddite' as a negative. Here, of course, were a group of workers who were fighting for their very livelihood. For the right to work!


It's nice to read a post today that echoed some of my feelings. Read the post here .

200 Years On: Remembering The Luddite Rebellion

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/community/nostalgia/200-years-on-remembering-the-luddite-rebellion-1-4499441

Huddersfield Festival

Many thanks for the recent email from David at the Luddites 200 website, who has given me further details on forthcoming Bicentenary celebrations, and in particular the Huddersfield Luddites200 Festival which will be held between 27th - 29th April this year. 

There will be two plays, films screenings, choir performances and a folk music session, a poetry slam, exhibitions, speakers including Alice Mahon and Dave Douglas, history talks, a guided walk in the Spen Valley, plus debates on current technology issues, such as digital technology, genetic engineering and how we can make the transition to a sustainable and economically just society. There will also be a frame breaking re-enactment, hands-on demonstrations of weaving and spinning, stalls and children's events, plus a chance to have your picture taken with an Enoch Hammer. 

The programme will be finalised shortly, visit  their Facebook page for ongoing updates.

As part of the festival there is also a poetry competition, the details of which can be found  here. The competition is open to under 16s as well as adults and the deadline for submission is 14th April. Poems will be publishing poems on the Luddites200 website, so to ensure your chance for literary immortality, don’t miss it!

What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains...

Another interesting article - and one which takes pains to put the Luddites back into their right context!

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/12/the-shallows-what-the-internet-is-doing-to-our-bra.html

:)

C

Luddite Website

Check out the following for more news about the Luddite Bicentenary celebrations:

www.luddites200.org.uk

C

Robots Are Taking Our Jobs

Yet another interesting blog post on the subject of the Luddite fallacy and the rise of technology:

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/11/07/robots-are-taking-our-jobs/

:)

Can A Computer Do Your Job – And Does It Want To?

More food for thought...

http://blogs.voanews.com/digital-frontiers/2011/10/03/robopocalypse/

C