Anti-AI nostalgia and the cult of the past
3 hours ago
- The author critiques anti-AI nostalgia that glorifies a past golden age of programming and portrays modern technology as corrupting.
- He draws parallels between anti-AI rhetoric and fascist tropes such as the cult of tradition and rejection of modernism, citing examples from Evola, Pound, and Hitler.
- The Luddites are discussed as a historical example: they were conservative, protecting male elite status, and their grievances mirror current anti-AI sentiments.
- The author warns that disillusioned software engineers may adopt an 'enemy' (AI) that justifies extreme measures, similar to fascist thinking.
- Nuance is emphasized: AI is not inherently evil and can aid disabled people; being anti-AI is not inherently fascist, but the argument structures can be dangerous.
- The conclusion expresses unease about romanticizing the past and demonizing AI, as it can lead to us-vs-them thinking.