Luddites 200 film screening/discussion

November 04, 2011 19:00

Published: November 01, 2011 12:34 by Luddittes 200 |

Tagged as: culture environmentalism free_spaces repression social_struggles solidarity workers_struggles

Places: hackney hamlets tower whitechapel

Luddites 200 film screening and Housemans Peace Diary launch.

On the exact 200th anniversary of the first Luddite attack at Bulwell near Nottingham, (‘Mischief Night' in the North of England), we will be screening two films. The first is a drama-documentary about the Yorkshire Luddites in 1812 that shows that the Luddites were not mindless vandals and opponents of progress as scientists have portrayed them - they broke only machines they thought 'hurtful to Commonality' ie. to the common good.

The second film, ‘New Technology: Whose Progress?' is a documentary about industrial automation and workers' responses in the 1980s, featuring Tony Benn and Mike Cooley of the Lucas Aerospace Shop Stewards. The film is very relevant in the current austerity climate, in which technology is being used to cut the jobs of public sector workers, such as librarians.

We will also be launching the 2012 Housmans Peace Diary (link) which contains a special feature on the Luddites and current technology issues such as GM food, nuclear power, drones, reproductive technology, nanotechnology and ‘geoengineering'.

The Luddites200 group is celebrating this anniversary to set the record straight about the Luddites. We want to start an open debate about the politics of technology. This event and a simultaneous event in Nottingham marks the launch of the Luddites200 celebrations. For details of other forthcoming events see www.luddites200.org.uk.

Housmans Bookshop has published the Peace Diary since 1952. This edition includes a World Peace Directory listing more than 1500 national and international peace, environment and human rights organisations from around the world. http://www.housma

On the exact 200th anniversary of the first Luddite attack at Bulwell near Nottingham, (‘Mischief Night' in the North of England), we will be screening two films. The first is a drama-documentary about the Yorkshire Luddites in 1812 that shows that the Luddites were not mindless vandals and opponents of progress as scientists have portrayed them - they broke only machines they thought 'hurtful to Commonality' ie. to the common good.

The second film, ‘New Technology: Whose Progress?' is a documentary about industrial automation and workers' responses in the 1980s, featuring Tony Benn and Mike Cooley of the Lucas Aerospace Shop Stewards. The film is very relevant in the current austerity climate, in which technology is being used to cut the jobs of public sector workers, such as librarians.

We will also be launching the 2012 Housmans Peace Diary (link) which contains a special feature on the Luddites and current technology issues such as GM food, nuclear power, drones, reproductive technology, nanotechnology and ‘geoengineering'.

The Luddites200 group is celebrating this anniversary to set the record straight about the Luddites. We want to start an open debate about the politics of technology. This event and a simultaneous event in Nottingham marks the launch of the Luddites200 celebrations. For details of other forthcoming events see www.luddites200.org.uk.

Housmans Bookshop has published the Peace Diary since 1952. This edition includes a World Peace Directory listing more than 1500 national and international peace, environment and human rights organisations from around the world. http://www.housmans.com/diary.php

Free, donations welcome

 

Attached Files

Great Enoch

Contact email: www.luddites200.org.uk luddites200@yahoo.co.uk

---