Dave, you correctly point out that, as happens over time, the meanings
of words change. Today Luddite does mean basically "anti-progress",
especially towards technology, even to the extent of causing destruction
to the perceived threat. But that is how language evolves and will
continue to evolve.
As a Nottinghamshire lad (a mining family on one side and an odd-jobber
on the other!) I sympathise with Ned's desires, but we also saw similar
resistance to change for the same reasons in the newsprint field, coal
mining, etc. in the 70s and 80s.
Not far from the world of photography either, considering the
photojournalistic opportunities exploited, of course by both sides!
I'll still use the word as it currently is regarded.
Howard
dave6134@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
At 04:09 AM 4/12/2007, you wrote:
...............My wife won't even look at a computer...everything is
written onto paper. A female Luddite!
Howard
That would not be an altogether bad thing. All Ned Lud (Ludd) of
Nottinghamshire wanted was a living wage, decent working conditions,
and a product
of a quality that a worker could be proud of so why does Luddite now
have such negative conatations?
**As do we all, of course. Thank heavens I haven't had to resort to
rioting to achieve it!**
History has not been kind to the clumsey lad who only ever broke a
couple of weaving machine frames and and never looked back.
**It is perhaps those who rioted who deserved the opprobrium!**
DLSD
