The surprising link between mathematicians, Luddites, and the ancient craft of weaving

This article explores the fascinating linguistic and historical connections between mathematics, technology, and the ancient craft of weaving. The author traces the Proto-Indo-European root 'tek' meaning 'to plait or weave' to show how words like 'text', 'context', 'textile', and ultimately 'technology' are built on the metaphor of weaving threads together.

The piece draws a parallel between skilled weavers of the past—the original Luddites—and modern thinkers, arguing that automation (starting with the Jacquard loom) collapsed aspects of craftsmanship tied to raw material production. The analysis suggests that when a fundamental skill becomes automated, the value shifts from execution to design, much like how mathematics provides the underlying structure for technology despite being removed from its physical implementation.