Technology

TECHNOLOGY

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Technology is collection of technical methods and processes. It is the science of arts. It include applied sciences. Technology is a very wide term. A very simple definition is

"Technology is anything made by humans, as opposed to things made by nature."
Nowadays, when people use the word Technology, they are usually referring to artifacts or modern, complex inventions like: computers, softwares, satellites, or an artificial heart. But technology also refers to simple everyday items like can openers, paper and tables. A little bit refined definition of Technology can be given as

"The generation of knowledge and processes to develop systems that solve problems and extend human capabilities." - (Technology for All Americans, 1996).
The term Technology can further be divided into different classes as follows -
1. Technology as Objects: - Tools, machines, instruments, weapons, appliances - the physical devices of technical performance
2. Technology as Knowledge: - The know-how behind technological innovation
3. Technology as Activities: - What people do - their skills, methods, procedures, routines
4. Technology as a Process: - Begins with a need and ends with a solution
5. Technology as a Socio-technical System: - The manufacture and use of objects involving people and other objects in combination

At last the definition of Technology which I think is most relevant in context of a computer engineer is - Technology = Hardware + Software + “Orgware”
Hardware : Manufactured objects (artifacts)
Software : Knowledge required to design, manufacture, and use technology hardware
"Orgware" : Institutional settings and rules for the generation of technological knowledge and for the use of technologies

Technology covers numerous areas of knowledge where science is applied. Sometimes we refer Science as Technology but there is a considerable difference between Technology and Science. Science deals with the natural world where as Technology is the study of the natural laws which govern the universe. Technology and Science are interrelated and sometimes it becomes difficult to differentiate between Technology and Science. Thus, for much of the time this pair is wrapped together into a single conceptual package known simply as “science”. This point is emphasized when surfing the Internet for Technology-related teaching resources. Actually Science and Technology wrap in certain areas which create confusion. These areas as whole referred to as Applied Sciences. Diagrammatically, it can be shown as

The two cannot be separated. Which is hardly surprising as Mayr put it:

“ . . . practical usable criteria for making sharp neat distinctions between Science and Technology do not exist.”

Why do we use Technology? Perhaps the simplest answer can be - for same reasons we have always used it and for the same reasons we always will use it :). According to American Association for Advancement of Science,

"We use technology to try to change the world to suit us better. The changes may relate to survival needs such as food, shelter, or defense, or they may relate to human aspirations such as knowledge, art, or control."

Technology is the technical means which people use to improve their surroundings. It is a knowledge of using tools and machines to work efficiently.

To understand the working of Technology, we can examine simple facts which are hidden behind the apparent complexity of Technology:

All technologies rely on energy, from a horse pulling a plow to gasoline fueling a car. Many convert energy from one form to another.

Technology can be distributed into many small parts (e.g. power generation at home with solar or wind) or centralized (e.g. nuclear power plants or hydroelectric dams), sometimes alternating between the two as new inventions make one better than the other.

Bicycles, nuclear power plants, airplanes, and missiles rely on feedback and correction, two key elements of control systems, which keep much technology focused on the goals we set.

Information is the difference between a compact disc that comes in junk mail and one containing the human genome. In the form of rules for solving a problem, it is an algorithm, which enables us to understand a technology's behavior without having to understand its implementation.

Repetition and layers are two ways that complex technology can be composed of simple building blocks (much as the repetition of 26 letters and the layering of words, sentences, paragraphs, and chapters compose this book).

Emergent behavior is about the whole being more than the sum of the parts. Just as an ant colony behaves very differently from any individual ant, so, too, do many complex technological systems behave differently from any of their components.

And after close examination of these patterns, we find that:

Energy shows us that any technology, no matter how advanced, will rely on some form of energy, and may convert it into other forms. So, when trying to understand how technology works, we can look for a metaphorical power cord.

Technology can be distributed or centralized. Factors affecting which way it is organized include technological capability, cost, maintenance requirements, reliability of alternatives, and social concerns.

Control systems monitor and adjust temperature, antilock brakes, airplane wing surfaces, and other “real world” systems. Feedback and correction are critical to many technologies.

Information is the invisible component of technology. Software, crucial to every computer on earth, is no more than information. As material fabrication technologies advance, information in the form of algorithms and designs will become even more important.

Complex technologies are often composed of repeating simple components many times and of concealing complexity within layers. This means that we do not need to understand an entire system, but rather can focus on just one layer. It also means that evaluating a complex technology could require relying on a different expert for each layer.

Emergent behavior warns us that understanding how the components of a system work does not necessarily tell us how the whole system works. As technological systems become more complex, we should be prepared for some surprises, and consider that in our evaluation.

The change in technology can be seen from following events:

Disappearing technology: Technology can become so common that we stop noticing it (e.g. light bulbs). It can also be built into other technologies so we can't see it (microprocessors).

Necessity is mother & daughter: An old saying goes, "Necessity is the mother of invention," but the gasoline engine and the microprocessor show us that invention can come before we even figure out the need.

Advantage, prestige, compatibility, and visibility: What influences whether a new technology is adopted or not? We find out why printing with moveable type succeeded with Gutenberg's press in the 15th century, but failed several millennia earlier.

Auto catalysis: Technology acts on itself to change itself, accelerating even to an exponential degree. This applies not only to computers, but also mechanical clocks and biology.

Evolution & memes: Natural selection guides both biological change, based on genes, and technological change, based on memes.

Without these changes, Technology cannot grow or in other words the existence of Technology can be in danger. This was a brief discussion on Technology as I always fascinated from the word Technology and this fascination of mine has taken me at the place where I am standing today.