With the many advancements of technology, a good number of people wonder if relying on technology is hurtful towards us instead of helpful to us. Luddite is a term used to describe a person who is passionately against the rise of technology. Early Luddism made its appearance in 1811 and seemed to end in 1816.

       The early Luddites consisted of weavers or textile workers who lost their jobs to the new technology. The word Luddite stemmed from Ned Lud. Lud was a boy who destroyed a stocking frame in anger. The stocking frame was one of the technologies in the early 1800’s that took away jobs from weavers and croppers. There are many different variations of the story of Ned Lud. All of the stories describe the same angry boy who destroyed the machinery that was used for work. When these and other new machines came to the workplace, manufacturers found less need for skilled workers. The machines increased the amount of products produced, but lowered the quality of the material. Many workers lost their jobs, while the economy around them raised the cost of living.

       The early movement of the Luddites consisted of burning or destroying machinery. The Luddites were a secret organization that was known to be in existence. They were known to gather together at night. Sometimes they would gather in secret, but other times they could be heard marching down the streets in their town. In 1812, the Luddites became more and more harsh with their actions. They started to display their actions on people. They revolted against people, which led to their victims’ death and to the death of their own members. One incident that has been repeated in many articles about the early movement occurred in April 1812. After countless loss on mills, mill owners started to stand up and protect their property. One owner made a statement against the Luddites that was both harsh and dangerous. He was later assassinated as he was riding home one day.

       After many incidents of murder and mayhem, the government became involved and brought an army to stop the Luddites. Many Luddites were caught, tried and hanged. The members who were not executed were transported to other areas. This occurred in 1816 and helped suspend the Luddites of the 19th century. The early Luddites have been viewed in different ways. They have been viewed as negative protestors and as honorable heroes.

       The early movement of the Luddites started as a way to oppose the changing technology that cost them their jobs. They were the victims of the downside of the Industrial Revolution. The Neo-Luddites live in today’s world, a different environment, and a different era. Neo-Luddites oppose the technology we live with, not because they were shocked by the drastic change in their lives, but because of the beliefs that they hold about hurtful technology. They preach resistance against technology and raise questions about the new types of programs that encompass our everyday lives. They open our eyes and tell of conspiracies behind the growth of this society’s dependence on machines, electricity, processed foods, and other unnatural items in our life.

       Everywhere in our towns and cities, we can hear the whispers of questions and wonders being raised. Some people fear the loss of privacy that we are facing due to the naïve belief of security that is felt with computers and the Internet, and of talking alone in a room on our GPS cell phone. The people who fear this loss are the ones who have been opened to the awareness of possible conspiracies of the government watching us and knowing what we say on the phone, what we type in our emails, and how we live our simple lives. These people share some of the beliefs of the Neo-Luddites, but are not as passionate as most who resist the changing technology in our world.

       Being aware of the possibilities of the hurtful ways of technology, yet understanding that accepting the technology means to live in our era is one side of the spectrum. Completed on the other side of the spectrum are the extreme modern Luddites. These Luddites live without technology, computers, electricity, cars, and processed food. These Luddites speak their minds in such a way that frightens our society. They want to be heard, be acknowledged, and be understood. They will take a life in order to keep their thoughts on your mind. Below the extreme Neo-Luddites, are the modern Luddites who are just as passionate, yet prefer to stick to articles and books in order to express their thoughts. They give lectures and interviews to share their beliefs and raise their questions about our society’s way of life.

       Today, the Neo-Luddites have become more recognized. There are many Neo-Luddites who publish articles and books about their views. They are popular or well known in their work. They share their reasons as to why they are anti-technology and why technology can only lead to bad things. The most popular of Neo-Luddites is the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski. He based his actions on his views against technology. Even though his message was made at the expense of other people’s lives, he was heard and is remembered in our society.

       Another popular Neo-Luddite is Kirkpatrick Sale. Sale focuses on sending his message through articles, books, interviews and lectures. Some of Kirkpatrick Sale’s materials include “America’s New Luddites” and Rebels Against the Future. “America’s New Luddites” talks about the current on going meetings and lectures that Neo-Luddites are conducting. He also talks about the Unabomber and the estimated number of people who feel intimidated by the growing technological reform. In his book, Rebels Against the Future, Kirkpatrick Sale writes about the history of the Luddites in great detail. He talks about their start, their revolt, and their suspension in the early 19th century.