Blood Machine: Origins of Rebellion Against

Technology never has to be inevitable, and the Luddite rebellion proves that humans retain agency over machines. Merchant weaves two centuries of archival research into a narrative that forces technical leaders to confront the myth that automation is unstoppable. The book argues that choices about who benefits from new tools are political, not natural.

The author draws direct lines from 19th-century loom breakings to today's gig-economy platforms, showing how workers once smashed machines to demand a say in their futures. He pairs vivid anecdotes-loom riots, courtroom drama, modern tech layoffs-with data that reveal patterns of wealth consolidation and job loss. The result is a concrete playbook for leaders who must decide when to double-down on automation and when to protect the human element.

For engineering managers, the lessons translate into actionable decision-making: evaluate the human cost of scaling, anticipate burnout before it spirals, and use historical precedent to argue for more equitable tech rollouts. By treating the Luddite story as a strategic case study, leaders gain a framework for balancing innovation with responsibility, ensuring that the machines they build serve the people who operate them.