It's never knowledge that's the problem but its application. And when does limitation, or control, become oppression?

To quote Douglas Adams: people are a problem.

Easy to see the Gas-Lit Empire as the Big Bad, but the idea was utopian, or at least utopian-adjacent. Those pesky people, though...

Didn't know there was a Luddite fringe. I must consult my hairdresser.

Seriously, sounds as if he (I presume it's a he; please forgive me if I'm stereotyping) needs to learn his history. Or read Rod Duncan

I have truly reconsidered the attitude I had of the Luddites (year 2 middle school, as was, so informed from around ten or eleven) since reading your books. Not all in one go, because expanding wisdom creeps up on you by degrees, but bit by bit. Power to the people etc etc

The more *gestures at everything* the more I sympathise with @rodduncan.bsky.social's Gas-Lit Empire

1.

Environmentally destructive plagiarism machines designed so plutocrats can fire - sorry, restructure - employees, and damn the world to hell? No ta. Further we get down this timeline the more convinced I am that the Luddites were right

Many thanks. Hope all's well with you

Hi Dion, is that episode 17? It sounds really interesting but I don't have podbean (or anything else helpful, come to that)

I would be prepared to cut slack for the time and culture he lived in if it weren't for the aforementioned horribleness and, yes, some deeper biases

Not only was he a horrible, horrible man but his system sucks too. Even allowing for the stuff subsequently discovered (computers etc), just scan your way through the 300s sometime. I work in a library and it makes absolutely no sense

I didn't get to where I am today by listening to things I recommend! Your word is enough for me, young man (I will listen when I can)

I shall link it to my sister forthwith, thanks!

Can you give a source for that? I am in no way casting doubt on you, reputable gent that you are, but I was discussing this over Christmas and I need ammunition!

Sputnik? I mean, I've no idea how big Sputnik was, but there was a round bit and a lot of traily bits, right? Anyhoo, I'm thinking space. A very small moon? Or Oceanic - some kind of buoy?

I'm not back yet either but, especially as I've found a moment to finally delete Twitter, it seems only fair to let you know I'm still alive, still lurking.

Best to you all; speak soon, I hope

Big shout out for Duke Special! Saw him in the Rotterdam, Belfast, before his first album. Been following ever since