From 1786 scribbling machines to GenAI: 240 years of anti-machine arguments, same ending
sethjuarez · x · 2026-09-11
Seth Juarez's essay traces 240 years of anti-machine petitions, from Leeds cloth workers in 1786 protesting scribbling machines to today's GenAI anxiety — the arguments are nearly word-for-word identical, including the weary "learn another trade" rebuttal.
His thesis: GenAI commoditizes cognitive labor the way steam commoditized muscle, but augments its users. His personal takeaway — AI is genuinely good for a rough first draft he gets to argue with; "I do better work when something pushes back."
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