What is technology? How does it improve our lives? How does technology influence society? This article will look at the concepts, origins, evolution, and impacts of technology. This is a foundation for evaluating the past and creating the future. Let’s start with some definitions. Technology is the application of science and engineering principles. It is the basis for the advancement of humankind. It is the source of inventions, innovations, and improvements. Despite its importance, technology is also an issue that requires a critical assessment of its effects.
Concepts
Often referred to as big ideas, concepts in technology help us to organize our thinking. In a broad sense, they are universal attributes of technology and engineering that are common to all fields. In more specific terms, technology concepts are related to universal attributes of processes. The terms efficiency and fitness for purpose are important to both types of views. The definition of each is not the same, however. Here are some common examples of technology concepts.
Origins
The history of technology is the history of inventions. It is a broad category in world history, ranging from simple stone tools to complex genetic engineering and information technology. From ancient times to the present, technology has aided humankind in many ways, from survival to productivity. This article will cover the history of technology and what made it so influential. A brief explanation follows. And while history of technology is fascinating, it can also be confusing.
Evolution
The evolution of technology is a dynamic process, involving the development of new technologies which build upon earlier ones and fill in the gaps in human life. New technologies can evolve into a new “adjacent possible” through processes of social learning and cultural transmission. Using the principles of evolutionary biology, we can study the development of technology. Here are the main stages of technological development. The first stage outlined the evolution of human technology. This stage saw the invention of tools, such as the plow, knife, and pen. Then, technology evolved to other forms, such as the computer and the internet.
Impact on society
There are both positive and negative effects of technology. The positive effects include helping society evolve and achieve higher levels of progress. Technological developments can affect human behavior, alter adaptive mechanisms, and even change organismal evolution. These changes can lead to societal languages. A common example of this is social media. The evolution of social media has affected many aspects of society. However, the negative impact of technology is most visible in mass-produced tech. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the more troubling consequences of technology.
Costs
While direct costs are important, indirect technology costs are just as crucial and can have a long-term impact on the results of your business. While they may not be visible on the financial statements, indirect costs include lost productivity, culture, employee engagement, and client experience. Whether or not these costs are included in the initial estimate of technology investment is a critical question to ask. Here are some of the most common indirect technology costs and how they affect your business.
Responsibilities
The theme of responsibility has been present throughout our techno-lifeworld. As it reverberates through our society, responsibility has become a new, obligatory form of good. It manifests itself in law through strict liability for technological products. It also has emerged as a central theme in Christian theologies, which stress responding to God and the world in this secular age. In engineering, for example, responsibility for public health and welfare is emphasized by professional engineers. And, in science and technology, social responsibility of scientists requires that scientists evaluate the consequences of their research. Hence, responsibility has received more philosophical attention.
Ethics
Ethics in technology is becoming an increasingly important issue for high-level decision-makers in tech companies. These days, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and other technologies are being implemented in our lives. And companies are beginning to see the risks of not thinking about ethics. The Cambridge Analytica scandal, which hit Facebook, and the recent pushback from Google employees against unethical practices are two prime examples. Companies are also realizing that the ethically conscious market will be much more interested in using the latest technologies and will demand a more humane and ethical approach.