Home A farmer in New Zealand warned of technology and AI doom in 1863

A farmer in New Zealand warned of technology and AI doom in 1863

TLDR

  • 1863 letter by Samuel Butler warns of machines gaining supremacy over humans.
  • "War to the death" against machines urged to prevent AI domination.
  • Letter resurfaces amid growing concerns over AI's role in modern life.

A New Zealand sheep farmer’s letter about AI doom has resurfaced, 161 years after it was published in a Christchurch-based newspaper.

The warning, written by Samuel Butler, has since been spread around on social media as people take in the thoughts of a man well ahead of his time.

‘Darwin among the Machines’ was a letter sent to the editor of ‘The Press’ newspaper and was published on June 13, 1863 under the pseudonym Cellarius.

It starts by referring to the question “What sort of creature man’s next successor in the supremacy of the earth is likely to be,” with this still being debated to this day as the topic of AI remains highly contentious.

‘…the machines are gaining ground upon us,’ technology and AI doom letter from 161 years ago

“Day by day, however, the machines are gaining ground upon us; day by day we are becoming more subservient to them; more men are daily bound down as slaves to tend them, more men are daily devoting the energies of their whole lives to the development of mechanical life,” the man wrote.

“The upshot is simply a question of time, but that the time will come when the machines will hold the real supremacy over the world and its inhabitants is what no person of a truly philosophic mind can for a moment question.”

Fast forward to the modern age, 161 years on, and the reality of people spending their time and careers dedicated to the development of new technology has come to fruition.

Humanoid robots are now working in factories, cars drive themselves, and AI is starting to cement itself into daily life.

While technology has become commonplace, many have expressed concerns about its usage over the years.

The letter ends as a warning note to readers, urging that: “War to the death should be instantly proclaimed against them. Every machine of every sort should be destroyed by the well-wisher of his species.

“Let there be no exceptions made, no quarter shown; let us at once go back to the primeval condition of the race.”

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech, gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, AI breakthroughs, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Sophie Atkinson
Tech Journalist

Sophie Atkinson is a UK-based journalist and content writer, as well as a founder of a content agency which focuses on storytelling through social media marketing. She kicked off her career with a Print Futures Award which champions young talent working in print, paper and publishing. Heading straight into a regional newsroom, after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism, Sophie started by working for Reach PLC. Now, with five years experience in journalism and many more in content marketing, Sophie works as a freelance writer and marketer. Her areas of specialty span a wide range, including technology, business,…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.