History might not repeat itself but it often rhymes.

Are you familiar with the Luddites? Of course. They are the poster children for those who are anti-technology.

Back in the 19th century, textile workers fought the use of cost saving machines. They realized their livelihood was at stake. Violence often occurred with the smashing of the machines common.

Today, people who are anti-tech are called Luddites. It is a term that encompasses those who resist the change.

There is one problem: the Luddites weren't wrong. While people will point out how society advanced through technology, things did not work out well for the Luddites. Machinery did replace them.

Hollywood and Media Are Today's Luddites

While the tactics might have changed over the years, the process is still the same. We have history repeating itself right before our eyes.

Hollywood went on strike last year. Both the writers and actors unions walked out in an effort to air their grievances while getting better deals.

When the dust settled, they had new contracts. Some even called this a major win since the studios agreed to what the unions wanted (for the most part). For example, more writers were required on each project, at an increased price. They were also given "protection" against the use of AI.

It seems the law of unintended consequences has struck again.

We won't go through all the details since the bottom line is there are fewer jobs. There is a systemic shift in these industries, something the union fought. Of course, the movie studios have their own arrogance, thinking that the billions would flow in. Nobody is safe at this point.

Here are just a few of the headlines:

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Studios are producing less shows. These media companies are losing billions on their streaming services, the supposed golden goose they were banking on.

Instead the entire industry is facing contraction.

Journalists Are Joining In

People who are entering journalism are also using the same tactics.

We are seeing carnage here. The traditional media outlets are suffering, both print and video. This is nothing new yet people want it to stop.

In many instances, this means turning to the government for protection. Here we see another age old tactic that is used and equally ineffective.

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The usual rhetoric comes out.

The bill aims to stop the loss of journalism jobs, which have been disappearing rapidly as legacy media companies have struggled to profit in the digital age. More than 2,500 newspapers have closed in the U.S. since 2005, according to Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. California has lost more than 100 news organizations in the past decade, according to Democratic Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, the bill’s author.

“This is a bill about basic fairness — it’s about ensuring that platforms pay for the content they repurpose,” Wicks said. “We are committed to continuing negotiations with Google and all other stakeholders to secure a brighter future for California journalists and ensure that the lights of democracy stay on.”

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So they want to stop the loss of journalism jobs? And the solution is to pass a bill that does that?

Luddite 101: Turn to government for protection

We have a variety of factors that play into the reason why journalism is suffering. Technology did change which allowed for more competition, something that industry was not prepared for. Confidence has waned in many of the mainstream institutions. Cost is another factor when the information is out there for free.

In other works, the rise of bloggers, YouTube, and associated platforms that allow for news, information, and entertainment rose up. This is a world of attention and the eyeballs are going elsewhere.

So Google responds by dropping the links to the articles. Is this going to help these dying entities make more money. I don't know the numbers yet I do not believe less traffic is the path forward.

Of course, Google is facing its own battle as chatbots threaten the world of search.

Technology creates disruptors which also, then might face disruption.

Time For Web3?

Is it time for Web3?

The answer is likely "not at the moment". However, there is something that keeps cropping up in all these instances.

What is the basic problem?

Obviously, the dealing with dying industries is the first sign. However, if we think about it, are they dying (or contracting)? It is likely we are looking at the exact opposite.

At risk is the traditional entities. Those are what will get disrupted. There is more information, news, and entertainment available than ever before. How difficult is it to find 1 hour worth of videos you enjoy on YouTube? That easily can replace sitting there watching old reruns on Netflix.

In each of the above instances, you see people talking about earning a living. This is slavery, something most don't realize. "Please give me something to live on" they beg.

The main problem is they seek income. Here is where we can see the entire situation change. Equity is not part of the equation for a couple reasons.

To start, most don't have the owner mindset and simply want a wage. Secondly, the companies tend not to offer it except in the rare instances. This causes misalignment among the stakeholders, a situation that makes disruption much easier.

Thus, the employees, executives, stock holders, and consumers all have different interests. Each is fighting for what it wants, often without regard for the others or the entirety. This means the loyalty is non-existent.

It is a situation that changes with equity. This is the epitome of Web3. Instead of just receiving an income, people can also have stake in the platforms they are utilizing. This can encompass all active participants. Those who are generating the content along with the consumers both can see their efforts rewarded through value growth.

We all have seen this concept before:

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With Web 2.0, there is no ownership. We have examples of this happening right before our eyes.

Read-Write-Own is a simple concept. Yet, sadly, it is something that has eclipsed most so far.

Web3 does offer the solution for what these people are looking for. Naturally, it is not an easy path. Then again, neither is waiting tables while trying to get one of the writing or acting jobs when hundreds are also vying for the position.

The longer people keep fighting the changes brought about by technology, the worse it gets for them. This is the lesson of the Luddites.

We have two major industries under major attack. When Google (YouTube) is the leading streaming platform, it tells you things are vastly different.

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