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Neo-luddismNeo-luddism is a modern movement of opposition to technology, both in particular and in general, as a force that continues to dehumanize people, destroy traditional cultures, societies, and family structure, pollute languages, reduce the need for person-to-person contact, and alter the very definition of what it means to be human. The movement is also called luddism, neo-amish, neo-primitivist, among other referents. Like the Luddites of the early 19th century in Britain, the neo-luddite movement has a significant number of people who advocate the use of violence to achieve neo-luddite ends, including Theodore Kaczynski (the Unabomber), the Earth Liberation Front, the Animal Liberation Front, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Earth First, among others, who have engaged in campaigns of eco-terrorism since the 1980's and are now the focus of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's domestic terrorism office. Successful neo-luddite attacks include the burning of a ski lodge at Deer Valley, valued at $12 million, an apartment building in New York City, destruction of genetically modified crops in a number of locations, attacks on prominent researchers and technology executives beyond the highly publicized serial bombings of the Unabomber. The ELF/ALF, which often act together, are accused of, suspected of, or have claimed responsibility for over 600 attacks. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies suspect neo-luddite groups in both the rash of recent mad cow disease outbreaks as well as the anthrax attacks via the US Mail in late 2001 and early 2002. The neo-luddite movement is highly interlinked with the general anti-globalization movement, with much overlap in membership, groups, and goals. In particular, many neo-luddites receive training at a boot camp run by the Merry Pranksters and their Ruckus Society to teach techniques of organizing mass protests, like those against the World Trade Organization and the World Bank in recent years, as well as special skills in sabotage, infiltration, evasion, and escape. Ruckus receives funding for this permanent, and several temporary camps, from wealthy individuals such as Ted Turner and Theresa Heinz-Kerry. The neo-luddite movement also receives much support from Marxist groups such as WWA, the Wobblies, The Anarchist Organization, in the form of internet agit-prop support and underground railroad of insurgents around the US. Prominent neo-luddites External Links *Eco-Terrorists Advocate Revolutionary Environmentalism at Fresno State
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