The Original Anti-Tech Movement
What Caused the Luddite Uprising?
Most of us associate technology with progress. Ideas and inventions like electricity, computers, and the internet allow us to live more comfortably, communicate better with the world, and progress toward a more advanced and well-rounded future. However, not everyone looks at technology as a good thing. In today’s society, we refer to these individuals as Luddites. This is not a new term; it originates from the 19th-century Luddite movement in England. After mechanized looms and knitting frames became popular, British weavers and textile workers with years of training feared that unskilled machine operators would replace them. As machines spread throughout England, these workers broke into factories and destroyed the new technology. They referred to themselves as Luddites, in honor of Ned Ludd, a supposed weaver from Anstey who was rumored to have wrecked a textile machine in 1779.
While Ned Ludd may sound like a hero to the Luddite movement and similar to other historical rebels like Joan of Arc or William Wallace, he was more like Robin Hood than anyone else. There’s no proof he ever existed. He was a mythical leader whom many referred to when trying to inspire other Luddites or strike fear in the companies replacing artisans. Although the term “Luddite” has survived the test of time, their movement was relatively short-lived. The first major attack on a factory occurred in 1811, and similar events followed across England for the next few months. By the following year, machine- breaking became illegal, and 17 men were executed for their actions. By 1813, the movement was essentially dead. Modern Luddites may hate technology and think it interferes with the traditional ways of life, but most won’t go to such extreme lengths as breaking into factories and destroying all the equipment.
Strange Rules in a Tropical Paradise HAWAII’S UNCOMMON LAWS
When you travel outside the continental United States, you often have to research the laws and customs of your destination to ensure you stay out of trouble. While this is certainly a good idea when visiting Europe, Asia, or another continent, you should also do research when visiting somewhere closer to home. Even Hawaii has strange laws you might not know about until it’s too late. Here are three of the weirdest laws you must follow when visiting Hawaii. One at a time. Many people who go to bars, concerts, or sporting events have a habit of getting two alcoholic drinks at once to ensure they don’t have to wait in line when they need their next drink. However, doing so in Hawaii could land you in trouble. To curb people’s drinking habits, the Aloha State does not allow people to have two drinks in front of them at one time. You also cannot order a multi-serving drink,
such as a pitcher of beer, unless you’re with another person. Don’t take it with you! Many people like to take a memento of their vacation home, such as a seashell or a rock. If you plan to do this while visiting Hawaii, you must be careful where you grab from. You cannot remove rocks, plants, or wildlife from state or national parks. Not only is this action illegal, but it also invokes the “Curse of Pele” upon the individual. Many who take rocks home with them end up mailing them back later after facing bad luck or misfortune. It sounds like something out of “Moana,” but it’s probably not worth the risk. No skyscrapers. If you want to build a home or business in Kauai, you’ll have to keep the building shorter than four stories. It’s illegal for buildings to be taller than coconut palm
trees on this island, which is how it has retained its natural beauty. Other Hawaiian islands do not have this law, which is why many high-rise hotels and resorts line the coast of Waikiki Beach.
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