TechnologySeptember 2, 2026
luddites
LUD-aits
Definition
People who are opposed to new technology or new ways of working.
Etymology
Derived from Ned Ludd, a fictional or semi-mythical 18th-century figure who allegedly destroyed machinery. In the early 19th century, the term referred to British textile workers who protested against industrial machinery that threatened their jobs.
In the news
The article uses the term to clarify that the author and their team are not against technological progress, despite their critical reporting on the environmental impact of AI datacentres.
Wednesday briefing: What’s behind the global backlash against datacentres?
Read the full article ↗The Guardian