In Defence of Luddism
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It can be inferred from "In Defence of Luddism" that Noble wants us to defend
historical Luddism to combat the notion that capitalism is an all-encompassing solution to
societal problems. Luddites were and continue to be viewed as technology critics who oppose
sociotechnical systems and inevitable progress. However, Noble emphasizes how this concept
goes deeper into the ecosystem of society; industrial policies frequently become a
representation of a social policy, which in turn disregards Luddists because they are primarily
members of the working class or demographics with lower socioeconomic status. To combat
the appropriation and silencing of working individuals, we must defend historical Luddism.
Historical Luddism has always fought against alienation and the denial of freedom caused by
prejudice. Noble provides examples of inefficient systems that corporations pursued as a means
of exerting control over the populace. Therefore, he encourages us to prioritize community and
livelihoods over industrial achievement as biases are dangerous and can lead to oppression.
This semester's coursework exposed us to numerous media technology historical
examples that lend themselves to a Luddite analysis. From the excerpts in Noble's work,
Luddite uprisings began in conditions where the British working families faced economic
upheaval and unemployment. They revolted in opposition to industrial companies replacing
them, not in an attempt to improve work practices or production, but simply to monopolize the
market and remove the influence of the working class despite their efficiency and critical
thinking advantages. This bias also applies to the development of the camera. Darker-skinned
individuals were at a disadvantage from the start because the default exposure settings did not
extend to darker complexions, as evidenced by chocolate and furniture companies pushing for
a more accurate portrayal on film. This is because of the 'Coded Gaze' favoring individuals
with lighter skin tones. Since the invention of the camera, the default settings have inaccurately
portrayed the black community. In most instances, the exposure and tint of photographs do not
capture the true essence of the subject. Although this may seem menial, this disparity puts black
In Defence of Luddism
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minorities at a disadvantage historically. Their photographs do not accurately portray them,
distorting historical references and contributing to racial inequalities and prejudices. Similar to
the working class in historical Luddism, the struggles of the black community extend from the
image to other socioeconomic factors. While the camera may not be the root of the problem, it
has certainly contributed to the distorted depiction of black history in the United States.
Another issue in technology that pertains to today's modern workforce is the AIgenerated process of hiring individuals. As we have learned, AI is synonymous with
technology. So much so that job applications are now being processed by machine learning
systems. In these scenarios, the programmers of the systems typically permit biases in the
criteria selection. In the US, Ivy-League education, extra-curricular activities, and prestigious
work experiences are crucial to landing a job. Those from affluent backgrounds are always
ahead, as they have the resources to afford better education as well as time to pursue other
endeavors while studying. Those on the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder are forced to
work for their living, ultimately sacrificing time for resumé enriching activities. In many ways,
this is a case that requires the defense of historical Luddism. It has become abundantly clear
that the experiences of people from working-class backgrounds are becoming irrelevant due to
advancements in AI's ability to remove them from the selection pool.
Ultimately, the defense of Luddism is a reflection of our history and society; the
wealthy and powerful use technology to oppress the impoverished, to gentrify natives, and to
exclude minorities from participating in the important discourses that will shape the future of
society.