Violent Anti-Tech Extremism Has Roots in History

By Jordyn Abrams  
Will Public Backlash to New Technologies Lapse into Further Incidents of Violence?
Two aspects of contemporary tech suggest the answer is yes. One is the tech industry’s environmental impact—exemplified most clearly in debates over data centers—and its contribution to the effects from climate change. The other is tech’s new role as a symbol of the establishment: no longer perceived as liberating or anti-authority, new technologies like Flock cameras are pulling technology into a broader anti-establishment mood across the United States. Neither of these aspects has a clear or easy path to resolution.
While anti-tech sentiments are not wholly new to American extremism, they are especially salient today. The result is a complex mix of legitimate discontent, radical politics, and occasional acts of violence. But if the grievances driving anti-tech sentiment are not addressed, they may create a foundation for escalating violence.
Technology as a Symbol for Environmental Degradation and the Establishment
Data centers are critical for AI development and implementation, but they have attracted massive backlash for a variety of reasons. Polls show that the issue transcends partisan politics and that concerns about their effect on resources are paramount. In a deeply divided political environment, agreement is noteworthy. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has recently initiated a process that will require an audit before any data center project moves forward, an unusual similar...