"In the mean time they are proper objects for our imaginations to contemplate,
that we may form more exalted notions of infinite wisdom and power,
and learn to think humbly of ourselves, and of all the little works of human invention."
From "An Account of the Comet of the Year 1811" [1]
The comet C/1811 F1 was reportedly visible to the naked eye on clear nights.
Observed or not, it certainly loomed above the Luddites as they assembled in local fields after dark.
The following months would see hundreds of machines destroyed - a tacit defence of "little works of human invention" from "exalted notions of infinite wisdom and power".
The first event was a blast! Thanks again to all our generous speakers, lovely attendees, and enthusiastic wait-listers!
We had a full house (~50 people in the SET Red Bar) for 3 hours from 14:00pm on the 27th September.
It cost roughly £165 to run. Literally just the SET hosting fees + coloured pens & stickers for name tags.
Also... we were mentioned in the New York Times!
The article is paywalled, but syndication gifts us with this free copy in the Seattle Times.
Among his works on dinosaur theme parks and undermining[2] climate science, the late author Michael Crichton co-coined the term "Gell-Mann amnesia".
Put simply: people assume the news is accurate, then they encounter a story they know already, and temporarily learn it is not.[3]
The NYT article suggests we are a US-based organisation 🙈 We are actually based in London, UK, and not very organised.
Condolences to any north Americans hoping for some local gloombreaking... but hey y'all already have: The Luddite Club, APPstinence, S.H.I.T.P.H.O.N.E, Lamp Club <3
That said, we are now in touch with Luddites in the US, and there is enthusiasm for some international collaborations :)
Let's do it again! Date and location TBA, but most likely February!
We could all do with a pre-emptive smashing of any incoming 2026 tech gloom, assuming the AI bubble hasn't already popped...
If you are interested in presenting, check out the *updated* breakingthegloom.com for inspiration.
If you have any feedback or ideas, or just want to say hi, please do reach out <3
- ned ludd
PS: It's been lovely running into some of y'all at london.permacomputing.net
If you are curious about permacomputing please come along! Its a super friendly group and there are no technical prerequisites - just curiosity!
🦶notes:
[1] wellcomecollection.org/works/k3mqy4ky
[2] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Crichton#Politics big silly man!!
[3] If you knew this fun fact already you might be experiencing "Reverse Gell-Mann Amnesia" coined by Angela Collier: the icky feeling that someone else's explanation is fine, but not quite how you would have explained it.