Look it up if you want, but basically the term Luddite was given to 19th. century textile workers in England that destroyed newer looming and weaving machines because they felt it was hurting their employment. Some guy named Ned Ludd tore up some stuff in a fit of rage...and the movement was born. Since then the term "Luddite" has been given to those that resist newer ideas. Several times I have seen discussions here about some of us that resist change and the term has come up. Anyway, I digress...
I was reading the other day about our distant cousins the Neanderthal. It seems as though they and our closer cousins the homo sapiens actually co-existed for a good length of time. And instead of extinction, the Neanderthal was probably assimilated into the productive gene pool, even though there is clear evidence that the two species kept to their respective tribes.
Researchers have found evidence of the first use of a bow and arrow as a ballistic weapon as opposed to a spear. This evidence indicated that early modern man developed the weapon and utilized it for protection and providing game. But Neanderthals that co-existed locally at the same time stayed true to their less effective 'single shot' spear even though more modern technology was available to them.
I present to you evidence that our distant Neanderthal relatives were truly the first Luddites.
Sooo...the next time you want to argue the benefits of keeping your old AutoCad 14 running or trying to scrounge batteries for your good old Ashtech receivers....ponder the lesson taught to us by our predecessors and their critical path...
Change or perish. 😉
