Revolutionary Times

We are living in truly historic times.

Change is in the air. To some extent it feels like the The Industrial Revolution all over again(not that I was around for the original event). We do however forget what a tumultuous time was experienced by all. Few if any came through unchallenged. Even James Hargreaves, whose invention of the Spinning Jenny revolutionised the weaving industry, did not come through unscathed. In fact his machines were smashed so frequently by the Luddites that he was eventually bankrupted. Suddenly people were effectively forced to relocate from the country, to the towns and cities, simply to stave off starvation, as their traditional industries were no longer viable. Efficient machines could do the work of many people.

Conditions were not good. The weavers seemed to fare particularly badly, they faced starvation, which led to large scale protests. Over time people adjusted to the Industrial Revolution, but in the short term there was much suffering. I noted the 1820s brought about major changes in every family line I studied. A long-established line of tanners, which had been so successful that they were involved in starting a first British Bank, had begun a steady decline by the 1830s, which had eventually led to them seeking their fortune in Australia. By now they were heavily involved in the wool trade, although some vestiges of their origins seems to have remained as one of the migrants(probably the most successful one) had become a bootmaker.

Life In A Northern Town-Dream Academy

Meanwhile Down South…

The 1820s started off well for one branch of my own family. My GGG Grandfather established his own school where he was headmaster. However by the 1830s the school had fallen into debt, he had died and his family had been left destitute, The sale of all their personal possessions(including feather beds and expensive carpets) was particularly heart-rending.

The Technological Revolution we are currently experiencing may eventually have an even greater repercussions. My father would speak of the day there would be a computer in every home but now there is a computer in every pocket(mobile phones).

Some Thoughts from 1974:

One day, a computer will fit on a desk (1974) | RetroFocus

Changes

It seems once again we need to adapt to major changes. This may be only the beginning.

I have discovered onother post on WordPress about James Hargreaves here, I remember the furore over modern printing presses in the 1980s .

Some days I feel progress is wonderful but some progress terrifies me. I fear the proverbial horse may have already bolted when it comes to A,I.

Facebook A.I, Robots Shut Down After Creating Their Own Language

5 Most Disturbing Things Said By A.I. Robots (Documentary)

AI says how it would kill 90%.

I have been debating whether computers are becoming sentient with my youngsters. They both disagree with me, My Dad had seemed to think it was inevitable that computers would eventually become a threat to mankind. Perhaps even now we are being manipulated by computers set on getting us to hate and destroy each other.

Terminator Trailer

Terminator 2 Trailer

I’ll Be Back.