The Left Doesn't Hate Technology, We Hate Being Exploited

February 19, 2026 - 22:34

A growing chorus of voices critical of big tech is often dismissed as being anti-progress or fearful of the future. However, this perspective fundamentally misreads the movement. The core grievance is not with technology itself, but with the systems of power and extraction it too often enables.

Critics argue that the problem lies in the economic and social models built atop digital tools. They point to the relentless data harvesting, the erosion of privacy, the amplification of misinformation for profit, and the gig economy structures that transfer risk from corporations to individuals. The issue is not the smartphone, but the surveillance-capitalist apparatus it can feed. It is not the social media platform, but the algorithmic engines optimized for outrage and addiction to keep users engaged.

This stance is not one of blanket rejection. Many advocating for stricter regulation or ethical overhauls are themselves passionate believers in technology's potential for public good—from renewable energy grids to open-source software. They are, as some have noted, "wounded techno-optimists." Their criticism stems from a betrayed promise: that technological advancement would lead to broad societal benefit and greater human autonomy, rather than concentrating wealth and power.

The call, therefore, is for a fundamental reorientation. It is a demand for technology that serves democratic values, respects human dignity, and distributes its rewards equitably. The goal is to harness innovation for liberation, not for a new age of digital feudalism. The debate is ultimately about who benefits from progress and who gets to decide its direction.