What is Technology? – Even though the term “technology” has had a significant impact in recent years in all areas of life, the truth is that the concept that this word contains has accompanied men since the beginning of their history.
In reality, when we ask ourselves the question: What is technology? We must consistently refer to the history of each of the inventions of tools and their technical use that man has given rise to achieve a specific practical purpose.
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What is Technology? Definition
Over the years and the logical human evolution, which triggered the significant advance of science, technology has been intrinsically linked with science, giving rise to developments and discoveries that allowed both to grow together, feeding off each other.
It could be said that technology is a set of techniques and procedures that are designed to solve a particular problem. Technology is in man’s hands as soon as he sharpens a bone to go hunting. That is, technology is as old as man himself. In this sense, we must not fall into the mistake of thinking that technology only means hardware and software.
Today, technology is widely related to artefacts developed through the parameters of science and the advancement of man’s knowledge, developing technological innovations that have revolutionized and will continue to revolutionize the world.
Coming from the fusion of technique and science, technology is currently defined as the set of scientifically ordered technical knowledge through which it is possible to design and create goods and services to satisfy man’s essential needs.
For this reason, it is logical that all the activity and development of technology directly influence society through its various cultural, economic, educational and others. Also, because there is a wide variety of types of technology, each of them can be applied for specific purposes. Such is the case of the so-called Information Technology, also known by the acronym IT.
Origin and Evolution of Technology
As we mentioned above, technology has been nourished for centuries by the discoveries of the various fields of science, which, as we know, can be defined as a set of rigorously and systematically organized knowledge obtained through observation, experimentation and reasoning.
As technology feeds on science, and science benefits from technology, humanity has been able to develop devices and procedures that are more surprising with each decade, and that until now were only theories and papers, such as quantum computing. Also, it has managed to reach very high goals, as high as the Moon or Mars, and who knows where it will take us in future generations. However, this answer may perhaps be found in the following paragraphs.
How is Technological Progress Measured?
Although it might seem that technological progress. Could be measured through simple observation. Since it is something that changes every day, going from one type of screen or processor. Or device to another better or more powerful. The truth is that it is not possible to do it this way. Since certain variables that have to do with how the population perceives and uses technology. Would not be taken into account.
This means that if a particular social group is informed about technological. Changes they will quickly adopt them thanks to the abundant information. That flows through the many platforms that exist for it. In other words it is not so much a merely technical evolution. And the masses must accept these technologies for there to be actual technological progress.
Prehistory and Technology: from Fire and Bone to Writing
As is written in any history book. The period of Prehistory ranges from the appearance of hominids with a specific intelligence. To purely agricultural societies and the first written records of events and their experiences.
The fact of settling in a particular place to wait for the crops to prosper and laying. The foundations for larger towns and civilizations allowed. Those first men to think of procedures to overcome their problems related to their field.
From this situation, tools and techniques were born to perfect. Their farming and hunting methods, which allowed. These tiny towns to be better prepared for any threats that hovered over them. Unfortunately, they were commonplace in those days.