Stop Feeling Helpless About AI: The Violent History of Resisting Technology
About this episode
The episode discusses the historical context of resistance to technology, particularly focusing on AI and its societal implications.
What if everything you've been told about technological progress is a lie? Support my independent journalism: 🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz 🗞️ Buy a paid subscription to my Substack: https://www.usermag.co AI is changing society faster than ever, but resistance to technology is not new. For this week's Free Speech Friday I spoke with academic Thomas Dekeyser, author of Techno Negative, about the history of anti-technology movements, from the Luddites smashing machines in the Industrial Revolution to anarchist groups bombing computer companies in the 1980s. We discuss AI, labor automation, surveillance, moral panic, Silicon Valley ideology, tech CEOs, machine breaking, environmental destruction, and why backlash against technology keeps returning throughout history. We also explore whether technological progress actually benefits ordinary people, or mainly serves corporations and power. Sometimes it's not what you think! Topics include: Why anti-AI movements are growing Big Tech and labor exploitation AI moral panic and conspiracy theories Environmental costs of AI Surveillance and control The politics of technological progress Why people resist new…
People in this episode
Host: Taylor Lorenz
Guest: Thomas Dekeyser
Topics covered
- anti-technology movements
- AI
- labor automation
- surveillance
- environmental destruction
- Silicon Valley ideology
- technological progress
Keywords
- AI
- anti-AI movements
- Luddites
- labor exploitation
- surveillance
- environmental costs
- Silicon Valley
- technological progress
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Patreon, Substack
Books & works: Techno Negative
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