Post #1953600

2026-02-22 20:18 UTC

@Enthalpiste @sortius @reading_recluse While it is certainly possible that there were also other economic reasons behind the rise of mechanical looms, the fundamental driver was the same that now drives the progress of AI/LLM: improve productivity, reduce costs, make more money. Frederick Winslow Taylor all over. If you don't believe it, I have nearly a thousand billion dollars in the market to prove my point. So documented. Now, let's hear your expertise, shall we?

Replies (1)

@Enthalpiste@social.sciences.re 2026-02-22 20:44

@papageier @sortius @reading_recluse It is more complicated than that and private industrial financial incentives are only a restrained and poor explanation. There has always been arguments for the state to keep people in the campaign and the economy crafts centered, this keeps people busy in the fields and goods of high quality reserved to the wealthiest as they require high amount of labour to be made. The push for mamechanization is essentially caused by a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, mainly armement and colonialist expansions for colonies exploitation. The industrialisation is a by-product of that. This is discussed in the scientific literature: https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691247489/the-wealth-of-a-nation Also I teach basics in scientific study of work in an industry oriented curriculum at university and integrated such informations as part of one of my introductory classes. Taylors view are interesting to know in this context but clearly outdated and historically incorrect.

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