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⚙️ Neo-Luddite Reading Group: ‘Blood in the Machine’ by Brian Merchant

July 24 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

The cover of 'Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech' by Brian Merchant. The words "Blood in the Machine" are in red, along with a large X covering an etching of two people working in a factory, one with a sledgehammer raised above his head.

We moved our next meeting to Thursday, August 29th. See you then!

2nd and 4th Wednesday each month 6:30-8:30 @ Iffy Books

➡️ Virtual Meetup Link

Discord: Email neoluddite@victorgom.es for an invite!

The issues and harms surrounding emerging technologies are especially concerning given the lack of regulation in the tech industry generally, and the tendency of productivity-increasing technology to further concentrate power in the hands of the few. This reading group will explore these risks and engage with how they work in the hopes of better organizing to protect the rights of workers and individuals. The goal is to have a better understanding of the costs (data, carbon, human labor) and risks (misinformation, unpredictability, bias) of making these machines, as well as limitations in what they can learn about the world primarily through text.

We’re currently reading Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech by Brian Merchant. Archived pages of our previous books include: Resisting AI, The Human Use of Human Beings, Race After Technology.

If you’d like to learn more about me, you can visit victorgom.es for a bio.

Schedule

If you’re joining for the first time, I’d suggest you read this before anything else for brief context: What the Luddites Really Fought Against by Richard Conniff.

The only expectation is that you read the chapter(s) of the book that’s listed for that meeting. You’re still welcome to participate if you haven’t done the readings as long as you are mindful. For each chapter, I’ve also noted some optional readings for context, so I’d suggest checking those out rather than reading ahead in the book. And remember, if you ever find yourself struggling with any of the readings or concepts, reach out! Either directly to me over email or to the entire group over discord.

Meeting 1 (7/10): 📖 Blood in the Machine

Meeting 2 (7/24): 📖 Blood in the Machine

Meeting 3 (8/14): 📖 Blood in the Machine

Meeting 4 (8/29): 📖 Blood in the Machine

Author event with Brian Merchant: Wednesday, September 11th (doors at 6 p.m., virtual discussion at 6:30)

Full schedule at victorgom.es/neoluddite

Sign up for the Neo-Luddite Reading Group email list:

Details

Date:
July 24
Time:
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Series:

Venue

Iffy Books
404 S. 20th St.
Philadelphia, 19146 United States
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Phone
2153953956
View Venue Website

Organizer

Iffy Books
Phone
2153953956
Email
iffybooks@iffybooks.net