by Alec Hogg
Two hundred years ago, unemployed textiles workers in the British Midlands attacked the disruptive technology of their time, mechanised looms. In the forlorn belief that they’d win back their jobs by destroying the machines, they launched a wave of destruction so severe that the British Government was forced to enact the Frame Breaking Act making the destruction of powered looms punishable by death.
The movement took their name from one Ned Ludd, who 30 years before had, in a fit of rage after being whipped for idleness, had broken two stocking frames. The Luddite movement only ended after four ringleaders were hanged and nine others “transported” to Australia.
The emergence of Uber has turned taxi drivers into modern day Luddites. Including here where rough justice is applied through the beating of Uber drivers dragged from their vehicles. But unlike the original followers of idle Ned, taxi drivers in SA appear to have a sympathetic ear in the ruling political party.
Hopefully not too sympathetic. Because even as Uber disrupts the old taxi industry, the company is already planning to get rid of its new partners through massive investments in driverless cars. Populist politicians may be able to build temporary dams against the waves of progress. But in the end, they always get swept away by reality. Ask Alexis Tsipras.
Yesterday’s top stories:
How the world sees us: Three reasons to remain cheerful about South Africa
Cees Bruggemans: What if Zuma refuses to go?
Lucy Kellaway: Real reason Chairman Mac knifed Barclays CEO Antony Jenkins
Matthew Lester: Why Greek crisis makes my proudly SA blood run cold
Tired of lies, EU demands guarantees of utter, total capitulation by Greece
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