Technology is the application of conceptual knowledge to achieve practical goals involving people and nature. It includes tangible tools like utensils and machines as well as intangible ones such as software and communication systems like the internet and satellite networks. It’s important to note that unlike science, which focuses on necessity and universality, technology relies on contingencies and specificities. As a result, it is typically a step-by-step process, and apparently promising early technologies frequently stall midway through their development.
In terms of our everyday lives, it is hard to imagine doing without certain technologies. From the business cloud to digital printers, to ATMs that enable you to get cash without waiting in a long queue, these technological advancements have had a profound impact on our working and personal lives.
But the benefits of these technologies go beyond productivity, they have also improved our quality of life. Medical technology has significantly boosted our lifespans with the invention of the Covid vaccine and lifesaving drugs. Education is also a beneficiary of these technologies; online learning platforms and AR have significantly increased student engagement and improved cognitive skills.
As we continue to explore the world, it is imperative that we understand how these technological advancements are shaping us and our future. Understanding these complexities involves a complex interplay of social sciences and humanities such as sociology, history, and economics as well as technical fields such as engineering, climate science and computer science.