Who were the Luddites? by Iain Boal (Parts ONE and TWO)
Who were the Luddites? Machine smashers of the 19th century or members of a fascinating social movement with visionary insights into the unfolding drama of industrialization?
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The impact of today’s technologies on social relations and the planet itself is becoming an intriguing field of inquiry. However so far the discussion of nuclear power, biotechnology, deforestation, automobiles or computers is pretty much dominated by industry and government who want us to take all this for granted.
In this context it is inspiring to remember the Luddites who questioned industrial civilization at its very beginning in England during the introduction of mechanized textile mills. They knew that the power-looms that they selectively destroyed were not just a technology but would create a whole new [ . . . ]
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:01 — 26.6MB)
Podcast (file2): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:01 — 26.6MB)

