Suggestion | reboot11 – 4 comments
Start a dialogue with the neo-luddites
They really don't like us do they?
Why is that some people propose a new axis of humanism to counter technology - eg. "us"?
From Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Luddite.jpg - Rage Against the Machine Published in May 1812 by Mess, Walker and Knight, Sweetings Alley, Royal Exchange Source Rage Against the Machine Author Unknown. 195 years since publication, copyright extinguished
While attending a seminar held in a church, I was stunned to hear a call for an "axis of humanism" to "combat" the reign of technology.
Was she speaking of "us/me"? I was tweeting and uploading to flickr while I was there, that would probably had gotten me thrown out.
I've reflected on that, I strongly believe that there's no schisma between technology and humanism, but we've been acting like the devil's advocates.
Technology is the double-bladed sword (axe), every time we invent a new technology it creates problems, that we turn to technology to solve.
Yes we've seen great progress, but we have to get used to the fact that someone seem to hate or rather distrust us.
I think they have a reason to distrust "us", and that "they" do have a point...
In a way I hope that the viewpoint of the presenter was due to ignorance, but I heard applause from the room.
4 comments
No it's more the other way round
Thanks for the comment Morgan, actually I'd probably be a neo-luddite myself if I was subscribing to their broadcasts.
The thing is that the woman in case, which probably would object to being labelled a "neo-luddite" just didn't know about Wikipedia or citizen journalism, and the speaker she introduced didn't actually look like he subscribed to the viewpoint, I'm sure HE gets, and uses, technology.
I, deliberately, choose a picture of an old-skool luddite, which is "somewhat" demonising, because I do hope that it's an old concept.
I'm avaliable for discussion, and I've decided to "go naked" to reboot11:
1st Rule: DON'T carry ANY (modern) technology
2nd Rule: DON'T carry ANY (modern) technology
YOU JUST DON'T BLOG ABOUT FIGHTCLUB!
How modern is "modern"?
- No laptop?
- No camera?
- No phone?
You could go all the way and only bring devices that are capable of functioning after an EMP burst :-)
... and suddenly reboot11 got turned into a mad rush for creating steam driven analytical engines :-P
The Difference Engine...
No Laptop
No Phone
Analog Camera (don't have one these days)
I'd love to have a device like the one described in "The Difference Engine" book - a mechanical computer with a mechanical display (described to work like "dominos", making a clacking sound - thus the term "clacker" as opposed to "hacker")
Simply put, I'll stretch the rules as far as this: only what was invented during the victorian ages (which is a lot actually) - in the spirit of "The Difference Engine"
(my original idea was that clothes were halal, everything else haram, but I actually hate the concept of haram - the main reason I'm not bringing any tech is because I'm an addict yes THAT'S me: xkcd.com/597/ - the high-pitched hum WILL be the worst...Your body: THE only presense device you REALLY need)
Analogue conversations
Do you have a feeling that your digital broadcast communication is not working, because the luddites don't subscribe to your broadcasts? ;-)
In a world where more and more "services" are tugging away at our attentions, I've experienced some knee-jerk reactions and have become less involved / subscribed to broadcasting. I prefer conversation over broadcasts.
While I do enjoy our self-centerede little online world, "the reign of technology" might be more focused on how technology seems to invade all aspects of our daily lives.
Technology is certainly assisting in getting a more detailed and less censored picture of what is going on in Iran these days, but will techonology ensure that the Iranian people get the government that they want?
Hmm ... neo-luddites, a very intersting topic, that I hope we get to explore further during reboot.