What is Technology: Definition and 497 Discussions

Technology ("science of craft", from Greek τέχνη, techne, "art, skill, cunning of hand"; and -λογία, -logia) is the sum of techniques, skills, methods, and processes used in the production of goods or services or in the accomplishment of objectives, such as scientific investigation. Technology can be the knowledge of techniques, processes, and the like, or it can be embedded in machines to allow for operation without detailed knowledge of their workings. Systems (e.g. machines) applying technology by taking an input, changing it according to the system's use, and then producing an outcome are referred to as technology systems or technological systems.
The simplest form of technology is the development and use of basic tools. The prehistoric invention of shaped stone tools followed by the discovery of how to control fire increased sources of food. The later Neolithic Revolution extended this, and quadrupled the sustenance available from a territory. The invention of the wheel helped humans to travel in and control their environment.
Developments in historic times, including the printing press, the telephone, and the Internet, have lessened physical barriers to communication and allowed humans to interact freely on a global scale.
Technology has many effects. It has helped develop more advanced economies (including today's global economy) and has allowed the rise of a leisure class. Many technological processes produce unwanted by-products known as pollution and deplete natural resources to the detriment of Earth's environment. Innovations have always influenced the values of a society and raised new questions in the ethics of technology. Examples include the rise of the notion of efficiency in terms of human productivity, and the challenges of bioethics.
Philosophical debates have arisen over the use of technology, with disagreements over whether technology improves the human condition or worsens it. Neo-Luddism, anarcho-primitivism, and similar reactionary movements criticize the pervasiveness of technology, arguing that it harms the environment and alienates people; proponents of ideologies such as transhumanism and techno-progressivism view continued technological progress as beneficial to society and the human condition.

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  1. J

    Hello

    Hi everybody I am Jamal from Atlanta. I am currently a student at the faculty of Industrial Technology, it's my second year. I came across your forum several before when I was preparing for the exams and just decided that it would be a good idea to finally join it and become a full member. Nice...
  2. sbrothy

    Toward the Stars: Technological, Ethical, and Sociopolitical Dimension

    Thought this sounded exciting, if nothing else then as possible basis for a discussion. Toward the Stars: Technological, Ethical, and Sociopolitical Dimensions of Interstellar Exploration. Regards. EDIT: Corrected link.
  3. W

    General Comments on (Dis)Advantages of changing from Win 10 to Win 11?

    Clearly there aren't clearcut answers. Still, any comments or arguments for/against? Security improvements would be a plus. I don't have any overly-specific use in mind, though I intend to do somewhat heavy machine learning with it.
  4. Phil App

    Enthusiast in the field of technology and science

    I am a 20-year-old man who has graduated in the field of wood technology and its industrial applications. However, I am very interested in many aspects of science and technology, even though I do not have the necessary education and experience. I enjoy contemplating things theoretically, even at...
  5. bhobba

    Insights Introduction to Digital Audio

    [url="https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/digital-audio/"]Continue reading...
  6. U

    What kind of technology will be available in a million years from now?

    What kind of technology will be available in a million years from now? Is the world going to be a better place in a million years from today? Will it be possible to solve chess or have completely self-driving cars and self-driving trucks in a million years from now?
  7. M

    Is there any evidence to support the belief that tech doesn’t end?

    I’ve grappled with this question for many years. There is no way humans can possibly know if technological progression ever hits an endpoint. Some say yes, others say no. Even truly brilliant individuals are divided. I want to believe that technological progression has no end because it...
  8. K

    How to Effectively Seek and Provide Homework Help in Engineering and Comp Sci?

    Hello, Im a student in astrophysics and space technology!
  9. russ_watters

    Tech: Everything Old Is New Again

    https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-broken-promises-streaming-ride-hailing-cloud-computing-2023-8?utm_source=reddit.com This article laments the fact that rideshare services, streaming and cloud services prices are going up, eliminating their upside. This was inevitable, as the...
  10. A

    Android Devices and Nerds (poll)

    Greetings folks. I have noticed that a lot of people into physics and math tend to use Androids (Samsung, etc), so here is a poll to see if that is true. I like both operating systems, but currently use a lower range Android, but am planning on getting a mid-range Android from Samsung instead of...
  11. MOSFETSnotFETs

    Finding My Way Back to Tech: A Scientist's Journey

    Oh to be young again, and living in a community of like-minded souls. I have lost my edge, but I am not lost. I only need a whetstone and to be invited back in. A little Fancy like Reba because my way was self-guided.. It isn't your normal process because this is a story about broken...
  12. A

    The Hacker Max Butler charges (several questions)

    Butler attended Boise State University for a year. In 1991, Butler was convicted of assault during his freshman year of college. His appeal was unsuccessful or procedural grounds, as a judge ruled that Butler's defense attorney did not raise the issue in an earlier appeal. The Idaho State...
  13. Antitank_Borshch

    Help me come up with shock effect preventing technology (sci-fi book)

    There is a problem in my technological concept that does not allow the normal development of the plot of the book. It takes place on an ocean planet where being above sea level is absolutely dangerous with the level of technology that exists there. So all combat operations there take place...
  14. A

    App that converts a checklist to a text

    Hi, I am looking for an app that converts a checklist to text. The advantage of this app is to save time in writing professional reports. For example, suppose a professional uses a list of 10 possible variables to examine a case but finds only 4 variables match a pre-set quality criteria. In...
  15. bhobba

    COVID UQ Still Forging Ahead With Clamp Technology Vaccine

    Precis of a news report from today's Courier Mail. The University of Queensland clamp technology knocked out because it gave false positives to HIV tests is set for human trials early next year. Scientists have re-engineered the clamp, dubbed Clamp2, so there is no diagnostic interference. CEP...
  16. KingoftheChaosEmpire

    My balloon technology (the LDH honeycomb)

    Ok so I don't know how to post a new thread so I'll post my question here: So I have been developing this balloon technology (the LDH honeycomb) and I've since made changes to it: First, instead of making compressive structures out of rigid LDH honeycomb, I've decided to use tensegrity...
  17. thewowsignal

    Nuclear fusion and anti-nuclear technology

    I want to start a serious discussion here about our future on this small planet. This thread is especially dedicated to those of you, who are enthusiastic about atomic energy and energy crisis.
  18. H

    Other General Science on modern technology and space technology.

    I’m in need of recommendation of a general science book (‘general’ means just a bit of introduction and its application, not going into its detailed theoretical and technical workings) which contains the following topics (though not exhaustive) Space Technology: the basic concept of launching...
  19. S

    Semiconductor technology progress for car controllers (ABS, ESP, ....)?

    Hi! How does progress in semiconductor transistors such as Si to SiC or GaN, MOSFET to FinFET, 10nm to 2nm, etc. improves the performance of a controller such as the ABS, ESP, ESC, ... of a car? And how much is the impact of transistor technology progress on such a controller (compared to...
  20. M

    Dogs vs. modern technology?

    Okay, dogs have been man's best friend for thousands of years, but today modern technology is in a very advanced level. So probably the devices are better than dogs. Why do people still use dogs when hunting, to rescue people in avalanche or among the ruins of a building after an earthquake, for...
  21. Algr

    Why are only two senses transmittable via technology?

    Our ability to transmit and receive audio and video are quite well refined these days. I would understand transmission of the others being niche. But they are virtually non-existent. What would Youtube for touch or taste be like? I can't even imagine it. I think there was once a film that...
  22. H

    Other General Science level books for Defence technology

    Additional/Optional Subject: Space and Defence technology. Began a week ago, they taught a whole week, for 2.5 hours per day on space technology: Orbiter, Rover, Ramjet, Scramjet, Air-breathing engine, Reusable Launching Vehicle and et cetra ... et cetra... Thought, I, could absorb and...
  23. T

    Optical power of Smartphone (Galaxy S20) torch

    In doing a project on phototransistors I am using my smartphone as illumination source. In order to find the responsivity of the induced current from the light, I need to know the surface power density, which I could estimate, if I knew the effective optical power of the light from the...
  24. shivajikobardan

    Engineering Difference between indigenous technology and appropriate technology?

    What are the differences between appropriate and indigenous technology. I know about appropriate technology. It is basically something that is made using local resources, using the concept "small is beautiful". And generally pollution free, environmental free stuffs that might not be as...
  25. F

    Night vision technology vs thermal imaging

    Hello Everyone, I have a thermal imager and I am interested in better understanding night vision (NV) technology. Apparently, NV goggles respond to NIR and SW See this article. NV goggles can see from the near infrared (NIR) to the shortwave infrared (SWIR) portions of the light spectrum. Do...
  26. A

    Robotics applications in Major Events & Functions

    Humanoid Robots. Just requiring your thoughts on this. Major events,functions example Weddings, Birthday, Anniversary celebrations, Cricket, Football live match etc are captured using Video camera/s with Humans performing the function with later on the captured recorded video is edited with...
  27. shivajikobardan

    Comp Sci Help me choose Cloud technology for small business-:

    IMO IaaS would be the right choice as most of the things you can change yourself rather than depending on cloud.. What do you think?
  28. Kun-Kun

    What are the differences between a ChemE and a ChemE Technology?

    What are the differences between a degree in chemical engineering and a degree in chemical engineering technology. I think that the main difference is that someone who studied ChemE Technology has more knowledge in chemistry than someone with a ChemE degree. Salary wise, which one pays the best...
  29. Astronuc

    Human factors, technology and deep space missions

    When a Mars Simulation Goes Wrong https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/06/mars-simulation-hi-seas-nasa-hawaii/553532/ The article came across my desk (computer screen). Human behavior is complicated. I'm more interested in the technical side of space travel, specifically the...
  30. L

    Can Radar Technology See Through Walls and Accurately Detect 3D Shapes?

    I was wondering if radar is safe, can it detect near objects (lets say 50 feet away) and does it accurately see 3D shapes? I am looking for a technology that could maybe supplement augmented reality in the sense that VR objects can be given GPS locations, but don't know if there is something in...
  31. M

    Is there any evidence to suggest that there is no limit to technology?

    I am currently obsessed with futurism but I am terrified I will run out of novums to contemplate about. A novum is an idea like “FTL travel” or “Gene splicing”. I was wondering if their is any proof that their is an unlimited amount of ideas that humans can come up with. My uncle was reading...
  32. Astronuc

    NASA NASA - Venus Technology Plan (DRAFT) December, 2018

    This discussion relates to another thread on the feasibility of operating a nuclear reactor on Venus. https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/could-a-high-very-high-temperature-nuclear-reactor-operate-in-venus.1003619/ Venus represents a hostile environment with a surface temperature of ~470°C...
  33. M

    Is there a limit to technology?

    Bernard Stiegler said that technology is an evolving organism that never ends as long as their are people; yet as an aspiring futurist; I feel that I’ve reached the limit to all the different concepts for technology. All the futurism stuff is repetitive because their are only so many things a...
  34. T

    Music MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Music, and.... SPIDERS

    What a combination. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/mit-scientists-help-spiders-make-music/ Or if you don't want to read the article, here is a link to the video at the end:
  35. S

    I Exploring Life & Technology In A Red Giant Sun's Sphere

    I'm not sure this a strictly Astronomy question; perhaps it should go in Aerospace Engineering. I have always thought that Dyson's work was more of an Astronomy topic, although admittedly, from the POV of observing some other system's sphere. In any case, I was thinking about future...
  36. TimeSkip

    The Increasing Deflationary Impact of Technology

    A short primer for the topic can be found here: https://econ243.academic.wlu.edu/2017/04/07/disruptive-deflationary-technology/ Mainly the gist of the issue has to do with technology such as, cell phones, the internet, artificial intelligence, automated services, increasing efficiency and...
  37. S

    Technology and the chronology of expressions

    Can the chronological occurrence of expressions be roughly matched to the chronology of technology? For example, some expressions such as "red as a beet" make sense in the context of early technology - you need adequate agriculture to make beets a common food item. Other expressions such as...
  38. A

    Bachelor of Science for a career in commercial space technology and business

    Summary:: I would like to get a career in commercial space technology and business and that is why i started my 2nd bachelors in aeronautics at the age of 30 three years early. I am about to complete my bachelors in aeronautical science from Embry riddles world wide. I don't know what next to...
  39. M

    Some hypothetical limits for the Star Wars universe?

    I’ve read many Legends and Canon Star Wars books and I always take away stuff on their limits of technology and science. Over the years; here are some things they said science can’t do. 1.) Cybernetic liver- In Lost Stars, it was said Ciena’s liver could not be replaced as it was one of the...
  40. C

    Is Plasmacluster technology safe for air purification?

    I'm looking for an air purifier because of dusts from the neighbor's 4 month long renovation and I only became aware of air purifiers lately. I came across the Sharp Plasmacluster: https://global.sharp/pci/en/ But I read that ozones are not safe...
  41. pinball1970

    Time travel using laser technology

    Professor Ron Mallett is claiming that time travel is possible using lasers. I've put this in general for a reason (I was considering putting this in the sci fi section) Article here https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/time-travel-ron-mallett-scn/index.html What I would like to ask is regarding...
  42. S

    Technology behind the small jump-starters for cars?

    What's the technology used by the small devices that can jump start cars? Is it batteries? - capacitors? Fuel cells?
  43. B

    The Effect Of Biological Immortality On Technology And Society

    Humans die because it's part of our makeup. From birth till death our expiration date is waiting for us. Scifi aliens need not be mortal, even though they are more often than not a proxy for specific human attitudes and behaviors. So here is the question, what effect does biological...
  44. U

    How Engineering physics impact on technology?

    I have an assignment and i want to complete it before Tuesday. I have some questions regards to my assignment 1) How Engineering physics impact on technology ? 2) Engineering physics Inventions 3) Engineering physics related information
  45. anorlunda

    Modern Speaker Technology

    Somebody please update me or provide a study link for modern sound technology. I ask because I am looking at the tiny 1-2 mm hole in my phone where the sound comes out. Ditto for Bluetooth speakers that produce great sound quality and sound volume from a small box. In the hi-fi era, speakers...
  46. M

    Which of these technologies would be hard to do in Star Wars?

    This Wiki page I've been editing for months with stuff I've read on the internet. Based on existing science and tech already available in Star Wars, which of these would be challenging for a scientist in Star Wars to create? Try to explain why and you can pick multiple entries. Remember, Star...
  47. N

    Exploring Technological Advancements and Disparities in Global Megacities

    After watching Netflix's Better than US produced in Russia. I'm surprised at some of the current technology in Russia. I'm imagining that they were like the 1980s when Ipads were not in existence or TVs were still the Cathode Ray Tubes. What cities have comparable technology like the US New...
  48. A

    B MRI vs Color X-Ray Technology: What Are the Differences and Benefits?

    Today I read about a seemingly new way of using Xrays that results in images that can be colored and more detailed. https://www.marsbioimaging.com/mars/ See this link for example. I do wonder what would be the major differences or benefits from such technology given modern MRI also has very...
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