Rethinking the Luddites in the Age of AI
Brian Merchant's book, "Blood in the Machine," reexamines the Luddite movement, arguing it was not against technology but for workers' rights amid automation. The Luddites protested the loss of jobs due to machines, leading to violent confrontations with factory owners and the government. Merchant draws parallels between the historical struggle of the Luddites and contemporary issues surrounding technology and labor.
- ▪The Luddite movement arose in response to job losses caused by automated machinery in the early 19th century.
- ▪George Mellor, a key figure in the Luddite movement, organized attacks on factories to protest against automation.
- ▪Merchant's book suggests that the Luddite message is relevant today as technology continues to impact workers' rights.
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| Original publisher | The New Yorker |
| Canonical URL | https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/rethinking-the-luddites-in-the-age-of-ai |
| Publication time | Sun, 17 May 2026 16:54:05 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-17T16:58:20.796Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-17T16:58:20.796Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Page-TurnerRethinking the Luddites in the Age of A.I.Brian Merchant’s new book, “Blood in the Machine,” argues that Luddism stood not against technology per se but for the rights of workers in the face of automation.By Kyle ChaykaSeptember 26, 2023Play/Pause ButtonPauseIllustration by Nicholas Konrad / The New Yorker; Source photographs from GettySave this storySave this storySave this storySave this storyOn December 15, 1811, the London Statesman issued a warning about the state of the stocking industry in Nottingham. Twenty thousand textile workers had lost their jobs because of the incursion of automated machinery. Knitting machines known as lace frames allowed one employee to do the work of many without the skill set usually required.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The New Yorker.
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