Who were the Luddites?

Is technology inherently good or bad? People have been searching for an answer to this question for centuries. One of the first groups to offer an opinion was the Luddites. They believed technology had a negative effect on society. Of course, the only reason they hated it was that it had cost them their jobs.

The first groups formed shortly after British factories began replacing trained artisans with machines during the Industrial Revolution. Protesters often took their anger out on mechanised looms and other industrial machines. Their primary objection was that they could be run by unskilled workers, who were often paid a pittance compared to trained artisans.

Beginning in 1811, the Luddites found a following and proceeded to burn down a number of British factories. In a little over a year, the British Army was able to suppress the uprising and several Luddite leaders were imprisoned or executed. What would the Luddites think of a virtual phone number?

We think that it is safe to say that the Luddites would have justifiable contempt for modern technology. We say justifiable because most of the new technology that we see has nothing to do with improving efficiency. Sure, the microwave, the computer and the fax machine are great. But how about the Smartphone, the iPod or the high definition television set?

No, we have no problem with new technologies. But it seems to us that most modern gadgets focus exclusively on entertainment, rather than more important pursuits. After all, technology was meant to help us save time, not to help us waste it.