Technology is a broad term that encompasses both the tools and machines used to perform tasks and to solve problems. It may also be broader still, encompassing concepts that do not involve physical objects such as computer software and business methods.
It Can Change Culture
As with language, ritual, values, and commerce, technology shapes the world in which we live and can alter it for the better or worse. It has the ability to spawn new subcultures and even facilitate political oppression or war through weapons such as guns.
It Can Affect Human Welfare
Technological advances have improved many aspects of life, including comfort and health, but they can also disrupt established social hierarchies, cause pollution, and harm individuals or groups. It is therefore important to consider the potential consequences of technological advances, and to understand how the benefits they offer can be used to benefit society as a whole.
It Can Make Work Easier
People can’t imagine their lives without modern technology. All of our tasks at home and in the workplace have been made much easier, with a number of systems that help us communicate quickly and efficiently with others.
It Can Be Used in Education
Today, many schools use different types of technology to educate children. This helps to enhance learning, and it also allows teachers to adjust their lesson plans according to the needs of different students.
It Can Prepare Students For Technical Working Environments
There are many careers that require a certain level of technology skills, so teaching students about it at an early age can ensure that they have the right knowledge to secure jobs in these areas in the future.
It Can Be a Resource for Research
As with other forms of science, technology provides researchers with a means to collect data and test their theories against reality. The results of their efforts can then be compiled into a body of knowledge that can be used to support future research and to develop new technologies.
It Can Be Used to Increase Production
The ability of machinery to complete a task more efficiently than humans can often lead to multiple-fold increases in productivity. This makes it possible to manufacture more products than can be produced by humans in the same amount of time, thereby increasing the overall output of an economy.
It Can Aid Income Generation
A number of technologies have aided in the development of economic prosperity over the course of human history. These include contour plowing, vaccination, genetic engineering, and nuclear power plants.
It Can Be a Problem for Government and the Public
The use of technology can be an issue when governments attempt to regulate its use. This usually involves a debate over whether the benefits of using the technology outweigh the costs, or if other alternatives are more cost-effective.
It Can Be a Risk to the Environment
A large number of scientific studies have shown that technology can be harmful to the natural world, or at least can have negative effects on it. For example, some environmentalists argue that the introduction of technologies such as plastics into the oceans can contribute to the degradation of marine habitats and affect biodiversity.