Lessons from the Luddites
I've long known and used the term "Luddite". But I really only knew it in the generic, general sense in which it is used in modern times: a phrase leveled against someone who is opposed to new technology.1 But the reality is actually far more nuanced and interesting, especially as it relates to our current age.
It naturally popped into my mind yesterday when my entire social feed was suddenly stuffed with clips of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt's commencement speech at The University of Arizona. The speech is going viral, but not in the way that Schmidt might have hoped – not in the way that Steve Jobs' Stanford commencement speech continues to be viral some 20 years after it was given. No, Schmidt's speech is making the rounds because of the reaction from the crowd. That is, the boos.
So are these students simply Luddites? Well no, not exactly. But also perhaps in a way. And not the modern pejorative way, but closer to the literal way...