Pessimists Archive
@pessimistsarc.bsky.social
We explore and catalog the history of technophobia and moral panic. Our newsletter: http://newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org
If you’re not hypervigilant in filtering out self interested, irrational hysteria that greets new technologies it is unlikely you’re going to successfully identify & mitigate any real downsides/risks of those new technologies. Path of least resistance is tropes driven by populists & protectionists
LONDON: All the radio waves in the air are turning women into men and men into women. CHICAGO: We’re gonna pump the air so full of radio waves until he becomes Gal Capone.
Pessimists Archive@pessimistsarc.bsky.social · 5mo ago"Wireless waves are making men more feminine and women more masculine, according to Miss Mary Strachan, a reputable psychologist, who thinks wireless induced etheric disturbances are responsible for some of the vagaries of modern youth" - El Paso Herald, September 15, 1925
Feels like people totally forgot widespread beeper bans in U.S. high schools and in some places age limits on owning them! newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org/p/the-forgot...
The Forgotten War on Beepers
30 years before parents and lawmakers sought to save youth from smartphones via age limits and bans in schools, a similar conversation took place about a pre-cursor to the cellphone: pagers Through th...
newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org
Ah, a simpler time. Effectively a quote post of bsky.app/profile/pess... but I wanted to the ALT text.
Pessimists Archive@pessimistsarc.bsky.social · last mo.“The men are spending too much time in looking up two-toed sloths and three-lettered Australian birds or attempting to tune in on Honolulu," - 1924
“The men are spending too much time in looking up two-toed sloths and three-lettered Australian birds or attempting to tune in on Honolulu," - 1924
He probably played too many violent nickelodeons and listened to victrolas. with hidden satanic messages.
Pessimists Archive@pessimistsarc.bsky.social · last mo.116 years ago - in 1910 - The New York Times reported on a case involving arson committed by a 12-year-old blamed on moving pictures
When are we finally going to learn and close the picture houses?!
Pessimists Archive@pessimistsarc.bsky.social · last mo.116 years ago - in 1910 - The New York Times reported on a case involving arson committed by a 12-year-old blamed on moving pictures
“The men are spending too much time in looking up two-toed sloths and three-lettered Australian birds or attempting to tune in on Honolulu," - 1924
116 years ago - in 1910 - The New York Times reported on a case involving arson committed by a 12-year-old blamed on moving pictures
In the year 2000 Japan put PS2 under export controls. Anyone taking more than one out of the country risked a 5 year prison term.
A 1956 cartoon satirizing the lump of labor fallacy
Nostalgia ignores pessimism, it forgets: The moon mission was unpopular Novel reading was frowned upon The Walkman was anti-social The Bicycle 'corrupted' women After all, why would anyone have thought the good old days were bad? newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org/p/most-ameri...
Most of America Opposed the Moon Landing
July 20th, 2025 marks the 56th anniversary of the moon landing.
newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org
The 3 Ps of Tech-Pessimism: PARENTS: What's this doing to my children!? PROTECTIONISTS: What's this doing to my profits!? PATRIARCHS: What's this doing to our women!?
Feels like people totally forgot widespread beeper bans in U.S. high schools and in some places age limits on owning them! newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org/p/the-forgot...
The Forgotten War on Beepers
30 years before parents and lawmakers sought to save youth from smartphones via age limits and bans in schools, a similar conversation took place about a pre-cursor to the cellphone: pagers Through th...
newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org
Before NYC prevented Waymo, it prevented Underground Railroads The year is 1866, the recently opened London Underground was a roaring success, a year later a similar project was proposed in New York City, Omnibus & Railroad lobby made sure it was stopped
In 1948 there were calls for a 21 age limit on pinball machines in Moline, Illinois. A judge suggested it be lowered to 16.
When the British had a moral panic about VHS movies: “Findings by the parliament inquiry group published yesterday indicate that nearly half the children aged between seven and 16 in England and Wales, have watched video "nasties" featuring sadistic sex and horrific violence.” - The Guardian, 1984
When the British had a moral panic about VHS movies: “Findings by the parliament inquiry group published yesterday indicate that nearly half the children aged between seven and 16 in England and Wales, have watched video "nasties" featuring sadistic sex and horrific violence.” - The Guardian, 1984
Oh, you thought MYTHOS was without historical precedent? newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org/p/before-myt...
Before MYTHOS, SATAN: a 1990s Software Satanic Panic
In 1995 an app called 'SATAN' could find software vulnerabilities automatically, when its creators announced a public release panic ensued.
newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org
I LOVE that Pessimist's Archive has woken up again It explores the history of rejecting technological progress and it is ALWAYS eye opening bsky.app/profile/pess...
Pessimists Archive@pessimistsarc.bsky.social · 2mo agoDid you know a panic about pagers in the 90s led to sweeping pagers bans in the U.S. and even criminalization of children? newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org/p/the-forgot...
Before MYTHOS, SATAN... We explore the forgotten 1995 panic about 'SATAN' - software that automated finding software security vulnerabilities. newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org/p/before-myt...
Before MYTHOS, SATAN: a 1990s Software Satanic Panic
In 1995 an app called 'SATAN' could find software vulnerabilities automatically, when its creators announced a public release panic ensued.
newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org
In 1908 the Lancet called for an 18+ age limit on reading in bed for U.K. children.
Before MYTHOS, SATAN... We explore the forgotten 1995 panic about 'SATAN' - software that automated finding software security vulnerabilities. newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org/p/before-myt...
Before MYTHOS, SATAN: a 1990s Software Satanic Panic
In 1995 an app called 'SATAN' could find software vulnerabilities automatically, when its creators announced a public release panic ensued.
newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org
Growing up in the 70s, it was a common admonishment to not read in bed because it would ruin your eyesight. I always found that super duper weird, right up there with masturbating making you blind. Old creeps making shit up to excuse being controlling assholes seems to be a time honoured tradition.
Pessimists Archive@pessimistsarc.bsky.social · 2mo agoIn 1908 the Lancet called for an 18+ age limit on reading in bed for U.K. children.
if elected this november, I promise that the number of people who think like birds, in little broken thoughts, will be greatly enlarged
Pessimists Archive@pessimistsarc.bsky.social · 2mo agoThe 1800s had brainrot too! newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org/p/the-1800s-...
Black Mirror’s pessimism porn won’t lead us to a better future | Louis Anslow www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Black Mirror’s pessimism porn won’t lead us to a better future | Louis Anslow
A new progressivism embracing construction over obstruction must find new allegories for technology and the future
theguardian.com
