I’m looking for the perfect antonym to “Luddite” that accounts for obliviousness

[jsmiam]

I’m looking for the right term for the person who is oblivious to the flaws of the “new way”, whatever that may be.

My personal pet peeve, people who send you videos that require and expect you to create an account (google, for example) in order to view their new kitten playing with a ball of yarn video. In other words, people who aren't just overlooking flaws, but are not even aware of them.

(So for example, “early adopter” isn’t my word. It includes the implication the person is knowingly taking the risks of the newness, so they are, umm, “blivious?” ;-). Not unaware.

Obliviousness I suppose is the key element I’m looking for. So, combine the antonym to Luddite with obliviousness. I’m drawing a blank.

 

[jaF0]

Flibberwinkles works for a lot of things undefined in other ways.

 

[davion2308]

Do you mean synonym

Last time I checked, the Luddites were against forward-thinking automation of clothing manufacturing, so you want something different compared to that.

And the word you're looking for ... does it mean they're oblivious or do are they doing it to be malicious. If I expect you to create a google account to see cat videos and you don't have one, that means I know you need one.

I think if you want someone who has no idea what's going on, "oblivious" is good. Or at least it's a good start. Maybe you can insert the qualifier.

Mary was technologically oblivious.

Or, show us instead of tell us.

"Mary was technologically oblivious when it came to computers."

OR

Tech Support - "Okay, ma'am, I can help but we'll have to share screens. We can do this by using a website to give me permission. I'll walk you through how to do that."

Mary - "That would be great, thank you."

Tech Support - "First, open a new tab on your browser."

Mary - "Okay ... uh, how?"

Tech Support - "Let me rephrase: "Go to Google."

Mary - "Oh! I know that one!"

See how she's not malicious? She has no idea. That may be a better exchange instead of dropping a single "Mary didn't know what a mouse was."

 

[SimonDoom]

Some ideas that might work: futurist, technophile, techno optimist, tech geek,

 

[jsmiam]

Let me clarify: I’m looking for the opposite of a Luddite, like a gadget freak. But a person who is oblivious to the flaws of their new way. So, yes, the new gadget (just adding humor) records all your conversations and presents ads based on what you say, tracks your location, and sells your information to anyone with money. But the person doesn’t care. Because their new gadget is cool.

So combine some of the terms already thrown out, let’s go with futurist for example, but a futurist with rose colored glasses.

 

[SimonDoom]

I dont think there is a single word that captures this. But there may be phrases, like

Pollyanna for tech
,pangloss for tech
Someone wearing tech colored glasses

Fool for tech

Technofool
Romantic for tech.

 

[AlinaX]

Tech whore
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=tech whore

 

[jsmiam]

Gosh, what was that term for dot com investors? Ahh, irrational exuberance.

Something like that, except more specific to thinking “new is always better”

I’m not a Luddite btw. I just see both sides of coins, and with evaporation, glasses are consistently losing even MORE liquid. . They’re now less than half full.

 

[LexxRuthless]

Tech junkie? Whereas the Luddite is opposed to tech progress, the tech junkie is dependent on technology. There was a term for this a few years back, specifically regarding Blackberry addicts, but I'm blanking on it now.

 

[oggbashan]

Tech salesman's dream customer...

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

Let me clarify: I’m looking for the opposite of a Luddite, like a gadget freak. But a person who is oblivious to the flaws of their new way. So, yes, the new gadget (just adding humor) records all your conversations and presents ads based on what you say, tracks your location, and sells your information to anyone with money. But the person doesn’t care. Because their new gadget is cool.

So combine some of the terms already thrown out, let’s go with futurist for example, but a futurist with rose colored glasses.

Technophile is the closest I can get, since to me it implies a love of tech for tech's sake. If you want to really be clear, you might have to go with a phrase, like myopic technophile, unreasoning technophile, insentient technophile, etc. Does a phrase work for your application?

Edit: Oops, Simon already threw technophile out there.

 

[jsmiam]

I do like some of the suggestions, thanks everyone! And just as irrational exuberance, a phrase, almost perfectly caught the mood back in 1999, I’m good with a phrase and not necessarily a single word. (I’m also glad it wasn’t just me who couldn’t find the right word)

Keep the suggestions coming though! (I just thought of another, tech pawn, with (inspired by) the ideas set forth so far)

 

[29wordsforsnow]

what about 'optimist', someone who has strong believe you're already there.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

I think "impractical technophile" or "impractical tech junkie" might convey it.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I’m looking for the right term for the person who is oblivious to the flaws of the “new way”, whatever that may be.

My personal pet peeve, people who send you videos that require and expect you to create an account (google, for example) in order to view their new kitten playing with a ball of yarn video. In other words, people who aren't just overlooking flaws, but are not even aware of them.

(So for example, “early adopter” isn’t my word. It includes the implication the person is knowingly taking the risks of the newness, so they are, umm, “blivious?” ;-). Not unaware.

Obliviousness I suppose is the key element I’m looking for. So, combine the antonym to Luddite with obliviousness. I’m drawing a blank.

"Elon".

 

[Handley_Page]

Perhaps she is "Technophobic" ?

 

[SimonDoom]

I've been thinking more, and I'm still doubtful that there really is a single word that quite captures it, although "technophile" might come closest. You might need to come up with a metaphor or phrase.

More context would help.

I think you are looking for a word/phrase for someone who is unreasonably enamored of tech and sees only its good side, and the word has a negative connotation, like Luddite. Or perhaps, as with Luddite, a hint of undue fanaticism, only going the opposite way.

Tech fanatic?
Tech enthusiast
Tech homie
Tech zealot
Tech apologist
Tech devotee

Luddite packs in a number of connotations so it's hard to come up with something quite right.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

"Elon".

I just snorted my coffee reading that. Ha! And Zing! (Can you tell I'm not an Elon fan?)

 

[SimonDoom]

"Elon".

That's pretty good. "He was practically an Elon on the subject of his favorite technology."

"He defended technology with the zeal of an Elon."

Most people in the know would know what that means.

Or use the full name "Elon Musk" for those not quite as much in the know.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I was trying to think of one, then I hit Simon's 'technofool'.

While it might be massaged into technophool or technophüle to reflect 'technophile' better, I think he's hit it on the head.

It all reminds me of that classic satirical video, 'Sony releases another fucking piece of shit that doesn't do a goddamned thing!' Hopefully the mod will let this link float through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AyVh1_vWYQ Hilarious and totally in step with the OP's question.

 

[SimonDoom]

It all reminds me of that classic satirical video, 'Sony releases another fucking piece of shit that doesn't do a goddamned thing!' Hopefully the mod will let this link float through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AyVh1_vWYQ Hilarious and totally in step with the OP's question.

That's fantastic! I've never seen it before and am glad I wasn't drinking coffee when I watched it.

 

[jsmiam]

"Elon".

I just snorted my coffee reading that. Ha! And Zing! (Can you tell I'm not an Elon fan?)

That's pretty good. "He was practically an Elon on the subject of his favorite technology."

"He defended technology with the zeal of an Elon."

Most people in the know would know what that means.

Or use the full name "Elon Musk" for those not quite as much in the know.

Although technically, Elon is more the evil tycoon, taking the money of people who believe in him.

Two anecdotes. During the denial phase of Marc Suckerberg claiming Facebook wasn’t news, there were stories of their earlier idyllic days, “people won’t misuse us for disinformation. We (also) are just happy kitten pictures!”

Another legendary tech story: in the earlyish days of Uber taking over, the legendary slime ball ceo popped open a screen showing him where ALL Uber users were located, even ones not using Uber at the moment (the app spied on them even when closed) and he was brimming with pride.

I’m looking for the term for the person who loves and loved Uber anyway.

I love the ideas being tossed around!

 

[jsmiam]

I was trying to think of one, then I hit Simon's 'technofool'.

While it might be massaged into technophool or technophüle to reflect 'technophile' better, I think he's hit it on the head.

It all reminds me of that classic satirical video, 'Sony releases another fucking piece of shit that doesn't do a goddamned thing!' Hopefully the mod will let this link float through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AyVh1_vWYQ Hilarious and totally in step with the OP's question.

That’s brilliant! (Fucking brilliant. )

There’s another hilarious and almost (but not quite relevant) “tech support call” video too, a person reading from a scroll for the first time. They rolled past some text... “It’s GONE!!” ;-). https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yUQRbqc2qtY

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

I was trying to think of one, then I hit Simon's 'technofool'.

While it might be massaged into technophool or technophüle to reflect 'technophile' better, I think he's hit it on the head.

Another legendary tech story: in the earlyish days of Uber taking over, the legendary slime ball ceo popped open a screen showing him where ALL Uber users were located, even ones not using Uber at the moment (the app spied on them even when closed) and he was brimming with pride.

I’m looking for the term for the person who loves and loved Uber anyway.

I love the ideas being tossed around!

These aren't right as they are, but might inspire someone to improve them: callo technophile, technophilic acolyte, a technofool/technophool of the Church of Elon, a ZuckerMusk...

Are you looking to bring in the aspect of amorality?

 

[Bramblethorn]

That's pretty good. "He was practically an Elon on the subject of his favorite technology."

"He defended technology with the zeal of an Elon."

Most people in the know would know what that means.

Or use the full name "Elon Musk" for those not quite as much in the know.

caveat: only do this if you enjoy being lectured by the man's worshippers.

Hmm... actually, "Laputan" might fit, although that's a bit obscure these days.