from the bigdumbHoosier Archive - 12.26.2000
Techno-luddite basics
What do we mean by "Techno-Luddite"? It's about the relationship between people and the technology and economic institutions they create. It means that technology serves people, and not the other way around. It means that innovations in technology are worthwhile only to improve the human condition and hopefully that of other living things as well.
We live in a civilized society with laws, regulations, institutions and social and economic controls over behavior. Techno-luddites believe that these social control mechanisms should be actively applied to technology driven change. The same as we have social mores and, indeed, laws that proscribe the burglarizing of one's neighbors house we must develop social mores and laws that proscribe the destruction of our quality of life through technology and anti-social economic activities.
Humans make and use tools - that's what makes us different (though not always better) than the other creatures roaming about on planet earth. Techno-luddites don't propose that we give up on this uniquely human propensity, nor do we suggest taking a page from the Amish and picking a particular date when we think technology went from a good idea to a pox on our collective houses. No, we propose to develop a system of ethics and laws that we can generally agree upon that will at least help us to get a leash on this monster.
It's time to re-examine what a better life really means. Modern civilization (especially in the US) is reaching the limits of consumerism as a way to find happiness. People need to begin to assert their right to direct technological and economic evolution for the public welfare. This all sounds good in theory; but how can it be put into practice? We'll look into specific instances from time to time here in the future.
