You, Me, We Are All Mistakes

20. THE LUDDITE RIOTS

CHAPTER 20
THE LUDDITE RIOTS

The White Peak presents a far gentler landscape in comparison to the rugged hilltops of the Dark Peak which sits to its north. As such it is the favoured method of easy access to the Peak District National Park and its rugged countryside. There are no road signs, marked pathways nor any outward indication of the vast labyrinth of underground chambers that lie beneath both. In one of its smaller rooms, the Knowall marked as Dex'2O perched at the edge of a desk.

"So, it's 1983 already. Why are we here?"

"Come on, that's what we were asking," shot back Tina, amplifying her frustration.

"I mean why are all of us here... this moment, this decade, this century, this life?"

"An easy question first," chipped in Nelson.

"You are being obtuse," chided Tina.

"How did humans get to where we are today?"

"Humans?"

"Yes, like you two."

"I'm not sure what you are getting at?" queried Nelson. "Are you making some opaque reference to evolution?"

"Exactly." The Knowall took in a deep breath and pulled back his shoulders, stretching the gold braid of clouds taught across his vermillion robe. "And what is evolution? Well simply put, it is change. Tiny mutations or mistakes at the cellular or microscopic level in any organism's genes or DNA, can lead over plenty of time to long term change for the species."

"Yes, yes," interrupted Nelson, "I've studied evolution at school and university."

"Indeed," admired the Knowall, "I see you're a Paleontologist at heart."

"Excuse me Dex," put in Tina, "Nelson might be, but I'm not one of those... anoraks. What are you boys going on about?"

"We're talking about change, my dear. Evolution. Even revolution. It is all around us and has been forever. And not just in our bodies, but in our minds. You see, we're in the United Kingdom, aren't we? 1983."

His statement appeared to be more confirming the fact for his own needs, before progressing.

"Yes, the UK. Do you two recall your O-level history lessons? The Luddites? One of the reasons we..." he waved his hands before them, "are in this room, in this very situation, is a direct outcome of the Luddites."

"The who?" asked Nelson.

"No, The Who are a pop group," grinned the older man. "I'm talking about the Luddites from the early 19th century. A small group of English labourers in the textile industry. They made a big mistake, but with a lot of public support. Change had started accelerating, and they certainly did not like it."

"Hang on," interrupted Nelson, glancing back at the door, "What have textile workers got to do with evolution and this... Cloud Computing thing?"

"Indirectly quite a lot. The Luddites violently opposed the introduction of new machinery to these Isles at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Great Britain was leading the world in innovation, and that Revolution was born on this island. So, what did the Luddites do? Like God-fearing, law-abiding citizens, they feared change and revolted. They were terrified of the new equipment, believing the machinery would take away their jobs, their livelihood, and their dignity. They rioted and wrecked it. They were arrested of course, but their actions underlined the public discontent to the introduction of anything new. Are you still with us Nelson?"