Currently, there seems to be some unrest regarding the effect of Information Technology on employment in specific jobs. Were there similar worries during industrialization, or even before that?

by jeroenemans

i saw this study. As I have an ecological viewpoint, the disappearance of jobs like mailman and telemarketeer sounds like a succession phenomenon (other jobs will arise). Has there been similar unrest in the past? Have there been similar scientific studies?

ulvok_coven

You've never heard of the Luddites? There was general unrest and violence in parts of England during a time of high food prices, and a primitive labor movement began over the transition from skilled weaving to unskilled, industrialized weaving. There was significant destruction of property, particularly of new weaving technologies. Marx and other characterized the movement as being anti-technology, but I've seen counterarguments that compare the Luddites to later labor strategy.