The Science of Technology - How It Has Shaped and Continues To Shape Our Existence

chillibreeze writer — Alan Alex

Technology is all around us. We make it, use it, upgrade it, and live with it. The world runs on technology, without which everything would come to a standstill. But, what exactly is technology and what does it comprise of? The word technology has its origin in the Greek word technologia, which means ‘the study of something’. It is the knowledge and application of tools, techniques and methods. The term also covers the ability of these tools and methods to affect the way humankind controls and adapts to the surroundings.

Defining technology
The term technology can be applied for general use, or it can be used to denote something specific like construction technology or medical technology. However, this was not always the case. The last 200 years have seen significant changes in the meaning and definition of the term. Before the 20th century, the word technology was uncommon and commonly referred to the science of useful arts. More often than not, technology was associated with technical education. In the 20th century, however, technology rose to prominence and its meaning changed. It came to define not just the study of industrial arts, but the arts themselves.

Although technology today is a fusion of science and engineering, it is difficult to determine a specific definition for this term. The reason for this is that while technology can refer to material objects that are beneficial to society, it can also include virtual concepts and notions. For example, simple tools like a spoon or a crowbar, or complex machines like a crane, fall in the same category as software technology and business practices. The creation of an entity, material or immaterial, by the application of physical and mental focus to achieve something is broadly classified as technology.

More than mere inventions
For most people, computers, aircrafts, microwave ovens, vehicles and medicinal drugs are the technological inventions that come to mind. However, technology is more than just these inventions. It involves all the processes that go into the making of the product. It takes into the account the infrastructure and funds required for the design, production, operation and service of the product, and the transfer of information from company headquarters and engineering colleges to the plants. The knowledge and processes used in the creation and operation of technological products are an important aspect of technology.

In a general sense, technology is defined as humankind’s ability to utilize resources to produce products that can put an end to our problems and satisfy our needs. It includes everything from methods and processes to skills and materials. The term can also be used to define a specific field by linking it with another term. For example, medical technology refers to the advancements and breakthroughs made in the field of medicine, which can greatly benefit patients suffering from any ailment.

Shaping cultures
Technology has the power to form and shape cultures and nations. It can be viewed as something that cuts across all borders. The essence of technology is to make human life easy and comfortable. A fine example of this is communication technology. Progress in the field of communication has allowed human beings from different parts of the world to interact with one another. By removing barriers, it has even spawned sub-cultures. The growth of cyber culture is largely attributed to the easy availability of computers and the widespread use of the internet.

From early inventions such as stone tools to more complex and modern technologies like the printing press and computers, technology has had a profound impact on human evolution. Technology and society share a synergistic relationship. They influence and depend on each other. As technology shapes society, society develops newer, better and superior technology. Consider mobile phones; there was a growing need for people to communicate with one another, irrespective of the distance between them. This led to the invention of the mobile phone, which in turn has altered the way we live our lives. From the basic need to communicate with one another, grew more needs. People wanted to use the mobile phone as a source of entertainment. While some wanted to listen to music on the move, others wished to play games. As a result, additional features were added to the mobile phone.

Another example of the synergistic relationship between technology and society are media players. The first music players played cassettes, which were capable of storing music. The compact disc was then introduced, which rendered the cassette fragile and outdated. However, with the introduction of the mp3 file format and other such compact file formats, compact discs were considered large and limited. There was a demand for something more compact and efficient, and this resulted in the creation of mp3 players.

Through the process of technology, humans alter nature and their surroundings to satisfy their needs. As stated earlier, technology is a combination of science and engineering. While engineering tries to solve problems by shaping the world according to humankind’s needs and requirements, science attempts to learn the nature of the world. In other words, one can think of science as a constraint that all engineers must acknowledge and take into account. Cost, safety, ease of use, reliability, resources, regulations and environmental impact are other constraints that must also be taken into account.

Impact on human life
Technology has shaped our lives to an extent where we would be rendered helpless without it. Certain things are possible only with technology. For example, information is the major driving force of our world. Within seconds of any newsworthy event occurring, information is instantaneously dispersed and trickles to all corners of the globe. This would be impossible were it not for technology. It has made the world a much smaller place. Technology has contributed towards the globalization of ideas and values. Individuals are now in a position to learn more about international issues and other cultures and values.

Technology has simplified life in so many ways. The widespread application of technology has led to the rise of a more informed society. Technology has allowed businesses to stay up-to-date and drive business ahead. With proper implementation and application of technology, businesses can compete with the competition and even stay a step ahead of them. From touch phones to laptops, mankind has made giant strides in the field of communication. The major benefits of these advancements include affordability, speed and clarity. Technology has made learning in schools a more enjoyable experience. Technology has provided students with an enhanced learning experience. Students can move at their own pace and receive immediate feedback. The combination of technology with medicine has provided patients with a secure environment, medical devices and a significant reduction in time and expenses.

However, everything is not hunky-dory with technology. Designed to satisfy man’s needs, technology extracts a hefty price from the environment. Pollution is a major worry in the modern world. Although each vehicle produces a negligible amount of pollution, collectively they are harming the planet. Increase in vehicles has also led to more congestion in certain areas. Technology has had an especially adverse impact on kids. Today’s kids prefer to stay indoors and play videogames, instead of playing outdoors in the sunshine. There is also a worry of technology influencing the child’s social life and academic performance.

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Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in January, 2011. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.

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