Technology is a branch of knowledge that deals with the relationship between science, society and the environment. Technological innovation has had a tremendous impact on the way we live and work. However, it can also be detrimental to humans. It is important to understand how people shape and define technology to understand the potential ramifications of the technologies we create and use.
When you hear the word technology, you might imagine computers and gadgets. But these are just two of the many ways we use it. Some technologies, like the Internet, have profoundly changed how we communicate.
Other technologies, like the printing press and the telephone, have eliminated physical barriers to communication. But these innovations have also been criticized for their potential to harm people.
As a result of these developments, the human lifespan has increased. The invention of medicine has enabled treatments for diseases that previously did not exist.
New technologies can also cause environmental pollution. These impacts have been increasingly discussed since the 1970s. In response to these concerns, the eco-village movement emerged.
However, if we consider the history of technology, we can see that many of the things we use have been around for a long time. For instance, cheesemaking dates back to ancient times. During the Second World War, aviation technology made huge advances.
Technology has also been used to disrupt social hierarchies and to contribute to human welfare. Yet, some of the most promising early technologies have stalled in the middle of their development.
