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What neo-Luddites get right – and wrong – about Big Tech

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Summary

The article discusses the modern-day resurgence of neo-Luddism in response to the perceived threat of Big Tech to jobs and livelihoods, as well as the broader implications of technological advances on society. It looks at the history of the Luddite rebellion, the concept of the Luddite fallacy, and how technological progress can both create broad-based prosperity and destroy livelihoods. The article also examines the need for policies such as taxes, subsidies, regulations, and antitrust action to promote the right kind of technology while protecting the rights of workers. Finally, it argues that collective bargaining by riot is not the answer, and that society needs to do better this time to ensure that technology brings about man's chief blessing.

Q&As

What is the Luddite fallacy?
The Luddite fallacy is the belief that technological progress causes mass unemployment.

What are some examples of technology that has changed how people work?
Examples of technology that has changed how people work include ATMs, digital spreadsheets, barcodes, and self-driving vehicles.

What do economists Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson argue about the impact of technological progress?
Economists Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson argue that while technological progress can produce broad-based prosperity, there is no guarantee that this will happen quickly and in some cases, no guarantee that it will happen at all.

What are the potential negative consequences of technological progress?
Potential negative consequences of technological progress include the destruction of livelihoods, unintended consequences, and the concentration of power in the hands of a few.

What are some of the policies that could help to ensure technological progress benefits ordinary citizens?
Policies that could help to ensure technological progress benefits ordinary citizens include taxes and subsidies to favor the right kind of technology, smart regulations to protect the rights of workers, and antitrust action to break up monopolies.

AI Comments

👍 This article does an excellent job of illustrating the potential unintended consequences of technology and how it can affect the lives of everyday people. It also highlights the need for policies that protect workers and ensure that technological progress is broadly beneficial.

👎 This article paints an overly negative picture of technological advancement and fails to acknowledge the potential positive impacts it can have on society. It also does not offer any meaningful solutions for how to address the issues it raises.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the neo-Luddites and their views on Big Tech. It argues that while technology doesn't necessarily lead to mass unemployment, it can still have a negative impact on livelihoods and can cause unintended consequences. It also suggests that the way to counter this is through policy changes and having more political power.

Friend: Interesting. So what are the implications of this article?

Me: Well, it suggests that while technological progress can be beneficial, it can also have a negative impact on people's lives if not properly regulated. It also points out that policy changes may be necessary to ensure that technological progress is shared in a way that is beneficial to everyone. Finally, it suggests that people need to have the power to stand up to monopolies and billionaires in order to ensure that technology is used for the benefit of everyone.

Action items

Research the history of the Luddite movement and its impact on society.
Explore the implications of technological progress on employment and the economy.
Consider the potential consequences of new technologies and how they can be regulated to ensure broad-based prosperity.

Technical terms

Neo-Luddites: A modern term used to describe people who are opposed to technological progress and the use of technology.
Big Tech: A term used to refer to the large technology companies, such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft.
Podcasts: A digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device, typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically.
Automation: The use of technology to control and monitor the production and delivery of products and services.
Generative Artificial Intelligence: A type of artificial intelligence that is capable of creating new content, such as images, videos, and text.
Transatlantic Slave Trade: The trade of African slaves to the Americas and Europe from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Barcode: A machine-readable code in the form of numbers and a pattern of parallel lines of varying widths, printed on and identifying a product.
Monopolists: A person or company that has exclusive control over the supply of a particular commodity or service.
Billionaires: A person whose wealth is estimated at one billion or more units of a currency.
Collective Bargaining: Negotiations between an employer and a group of employees to determine conditions of employment.
Antitrust: Laws designed to protect consumers from unfair business practices, such as price-fixing and monopolies.
Red Tape: Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.