In this article, we’ll explore which statement best defines what technology is. Whether you’re thinking about the latest gadgets or more broad applications, this article will help you understand what exactly technology is and how it can be used to improve the world.
Enabling Progress and Development
Technology is a critical enabler of human prosperity, helping us overcome barriers to growth, enhance quality of life, and achieve economic development. It drives societal innovation, supports infrastructure development, and creates jobs. It also helps us overcome geographic, cultural, and social boundaries by facilitating communication, collaboration, and access to information.
Technological Inventions
A more broadly defined definition of technology includes all entities, both material and immaterial, that have been created through the application of mental and physical effort for the realization of valued ends. This includes both simple tools, such as a crowbar or wooden spoon, and complex machines, such as particle accelerators or space stations. It can also encompass virtual technology, such as computer software or business processes, although these typically require substantial training and resources to develop and use.
While technology can be thought of as an enabling force, it can also disrupt existing systems and exacerbate inequalities in society. For example, while the invention of the printing press enabled a more literate culture and the Age of Enlightenment, it also helped facilitate oppressive regimes and war by making it easier to spread information and propaganda. This is why it’s important to consider the impact of technology on a wider scale when defining what it is.
