#luddite

@dedicto@zeroes.ca · Jul 30, 2026

RE: https://mastodon.social/@koen_hufkens/117004920937193940 So #Google is sacrificing their children to their mechanized #Moloch. A few noteworthy aspects: (1) As always, it’s worth keeping in mind that #LLMs and generative imagery are NOT the whole of #AI. (2) The willingness to shut down such a celebrated and illustrious project as #AlphaFold demonstrates the extent of the growing financial desperation hidden behind the #singularity hype about #LLMs. They've stretched their resources — and the resources of the world economy and the physical environment — to the limit, and they're STILL nowhere near showing the returns they've promised. The skin of the #LLM bubble grows ever thinner. (3) We CANNOT allow gigantic accumulations of private capital to exist — not if we value our lives, our freedom, and the physical environment that sustains us. Not even if we believe that there are approaches to #AI that are still worthwhile. (4) Ceterum censeo: the #datacenters — the temples of the mechanized #Moloch — must be destroyed. #Luddite

Quoting

Koen Hufkens, PhD @koen_hufkens@mastodon.social

So, this "curing cancer" thing will have to wait to feed the word salad generator. https://www.engadget.com/2225849/google-shuts-down-alphafold/

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Douglas Edwards

@dedicto@zeroes.ca · Jul 30, 2026

Replying to @Cosmosis@dice.camp

@Cosmosis@dice.camp Me too. I suspect strongly, though, that something like this was the plan all along. I remember thinking, when I first heard the "Don't be evil" slogan: "ALL large corporations are evil to some extent. A corporation that pretends not to be evil AT ALL is very likely to be REALLY FUCKING EVIL." I wish I'd been wrong. #Google #LLMs #datacenters #AI #AlphaFold #Luddite

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Douglas Edwards

@dedicto@zeroes.ca · Jun 06, 2026

RE: https://mastodon.green/@gerrymcgovern/116697233926805705 It now occurs to me that the enormous diversion of resources to the construction of AI #datacenters reflects not triumphalism but desperation. If the #LLMs and generative #AI of today worked half as well as their proponents claim they do, would it be necessary to go to these lengths to make them work a little bit better yet? These people and companies have bet the farm, not on #AI as such, but on a particular resource-heavy approach to #AI. And they're acting like out-of-control "steamers" in a casino — compulsive gamblers betting more and yet more every turn, in a frenzied attempt to win enough to cover their losses. They're past worrying about whether they can afford it. And most of them (Peter #Thiel, who recently fled to Argentina, may be an exception) are past worrying about how it looks to the rest of us. But we're still free to observe, and draw our own conclusions. And I suggest that we conclude, not only that these massive AI #datacenters must not be allowed to exist, but also that the kind of massive concentrations of private wealth that built them must not be allowed to exist — not if we value our lives and our freedom. Liquidation of all large accumulations of private capital is not primarily a matter of implementing some philosophical principle of equality. It's a matter of basic self-preservation. #Luddite

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oldguycrusty @oldguycrusty@mastodon.world · Jul 19, 2026

Replying to @nixCraft@mastodon.social

@nixCraft@mastodon.social The luddites were not angry about the new industrial tech. They were angry about abusive labor practices used by capitalist owners. ...basically. So yeah - call me a #Luddite too I guess..

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Bryan (he/him) | Terminal Tilt @TerminalTilt@social.terminaltilt.com · Jul 16, 2026

If you're going to compare me to the badasses of the Luddite movement, at least read the history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite #NoAI #Luddite

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Chris Mills @ambientspace@cloudisland.nz · Jun 29, 2026

Replying to @cmccullough@polymaths.social

@cmccullough@polymaths.social @nifta@icosahedron.website “it would be a shame if those GPUs were to overheat.” is the sort of thing a modern #Luddite might be heard to mutter from time to time. #Sangamon from #Zodiac would have #MonkeyWrenching ideas.

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Julian Oliver @JulianOliver@mastodon.social · Jun 24, 2026

Almost too bleak to post. "The Guardian’s examination of data-collection practices across six factories in five states found that workers wearing devices ranging from meta smart glasses to head-mounted cameras received no compensation for generating footage that would later be sold to technology companies." ... to build robots to take their jobs. ""Sometimes they give us a soft drink,” says Lalita, who earns about $200 a month at the factory." https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jun/24/indian-factory-workers-told-film-themselves-for-ai-robots #ai #noai #luddite

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Em

@Em0nM4stodon@infosec.exchange · Jun 20, 2026

This was absolutely fantastic! I highly recommend everyone to watch this interview when you have the time. If you're on the Fediverse, I think you're gonna love it. Thank you Gowanus, I love you too ❤️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxpV97A5I90 #Luddite #NoAI #BigTech #Privacy #SummerOfLudd

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CryogenicNighthawk @CryogenicNighthawk@4d2.social · Mar 07, 2026

There's a joint presentation from the Illinois #Luddite Society and #Makerspace Urbana on the 14th (next Saturday) at 2PM at the local Independent Media Center (#IMC). Come hear people suggest that: 1.) technology should serve human wellbeing 2.) the judgement that many dominant technologies fail to meet this standard, and 3.) what you can do about it I'm going to mention lots of #OpenSource and #SelfHosted tech from texting with #Meshtastic to privacy respecting smart thermostats.

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