The emergence of the neo-Luddite movement is interesting. On one hand, it’s encouraging to see this kind of energy in a movement aimed at neutralizing the hellscape AI, luxury surveilance and technology writ large is creating for us. On the other hand, I don’t think excommunicating all internet-based technology invented in the last few decades is the way to achieve these aims.
For example, if the goal is to get as many people as possible involved in the Summer of Ludd, why can’t organizers publish their calendar of events on an ethically-crafted website? Why put a self-imposed barrier (i.e. information conveyed only via phone) between your event and your audience? I get that calling a phone number is retro and cool, but it seems organizers are cutting off their nose to spite their face with a schtick like this.
I love the idea of smashing the machines that consolidate power and marginalize swaths of people, but the internet is not the enemy here. If anything, the (responsibly used) internet could be a key enabler and vehicle for growing the movement to smash the machines.
