See this Youtube post.
I'm not going to say anything philosophical or theological about it - all have different opinions about what this signifies, is it right, etc. We can all debate about that separately.
I just bring it to everyone's attention to one historical word that comes to mind - I just found it humorous, that's all, and to show that history does repeat itself and IS important to study and understand...
Luddite.
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What a bunch of morons.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, maybe not.
ReplyDeleteI do hear the argument for what they're trying to show with this demonstration. I'm not saying if I agree or not, but I hear it.
Agreed or not...I have to take issue with your word and I quote from your wiki post..."Luddite has been used derisively to describe anyone opposed to (or perceived to be opposed to) technological progress and technological change."
ReplyDeleteThis Rabbi is not opposed to technological progress or change, i don't think he holds microwave smashing parties, or would smash a GPS, he is opposed to what you can do with the computer, not the computer itself.
AHEM AHEM, EVERYONE - I thought I made it quite clear my intention was not to discuss at this point the value of the message this laptop-smashing event was intending to send. My use of "Luddite" wasn't necessarily colloquial and wasn't meant in a derisive way. I was marveling at the strength of the similarity between then and now despite the long time gap.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone around knows exactly what a luddite is - hence the wiki reference. I didn't see the line in the wiki article. Luddite was meant purely in the historical context - and I quote myself: "I just found it humorous, that's all, and to show that history does repeat itself and IS important to study and understand..."
I'd say rather that the term "Luddite" used in the modern context should ideally refer to a fear of new technology, which would be closer to the term in it's historical context, rather than an opposition of progress. Hence, I'd take issue as well with the Merriam-Webster definition as follows of the colloquial use:
Main Entry: Ludd·ite
Pronunciation: \ˈlə-ˌdīt\
Function: noun
Etymology: perhaps from Ned Ludd, 18th century Leicestershire workman who destroyed a knitting frame
Date: 1811
One of a group of early 19th century English workmen destroying laborsaving machinery as a protest; broadly : one who is opposed to especially technological change
— Luddite adjective
Postscript - see the following from the Wiki article as well about the use of the term in "recent years":
ReplyDelete"In recent years, the terms Luddism and Luddite or Neo-Luddism and Neo-Luddite have become synonymous with anyone who opposes the advance of technology due to the cultural and socioeconomic changes that are associated with it."
Forget about whether or not you see cultural harm from technology - would this not somewhat accurately define what's behind the message here?