Gen Z's new anti-tech rebellion: making eye contact and listening to each other
Members of the Luddite Club in New York City who gave up their smartphones say their lives are richer and allows them to be more present with others.
In a New York City park, members of the Luddite Club have come together to embrace a life without screens. The group, inspired by the Luddites of the 1800s, believes that technology has invaded our lives and detracts from genuine human connections.
Corrie Aune for BI Some members, like 19-year-old Jameson Butler, have even abandoned their smartphones altogether, replacing them with more basic flip phones. Butler noted that giving up her smartphone led to a significantly improved quality of life.
The Luddite Club meets weekly in the park, engaging in activities that encourage face-to-face interaction. They go on walks, participate in scavenger hunts around the city, or even smash iPads to demonstrate their disdain for technology.
The club's members are diverse in their approaches to technology, with some embracing basic models like flip phones with limited capabilities, while others grapple with the challenges of a future dominated by artificial intelligence. A Gallup poll found that 31% of Gen Z respondents reported feeling anger toward AI, a significant increase from 22% just a year prior.
Despite the varied approaches, the Luddite Club aims to show that life offline can be fulfilling, organic, and fun. As one member put it, "You don't need technology."
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