Technology is a complex social enterprise that focuses on creating and using knowledge to accomplish practical goals. It is an integral part of our cultural system and shapes and reflects the values of our culture. The relationship between technology and society has long been a co-dependent and synergistic one.
The relationship between technology and society started at the dawn of humankind and has influenced and continues to influence the way we live today. While there is little evidence of technology before the age of agrarianism, the shaping of tools is one of the earliest signs of human culture.
Today, modern technologies can be harmful to individuals and to the environment. They disrupt social hierarchies and have resulted in pollution. However, they have also led to advances in the welfare of many. Among the most important contributions of technology are improved methods of computation, measurement, data collection, and protection from hazardous materials.
In addition to influencing how we live, technology is a significant force behind the growth of civilization. It is responsible for urbanization and interdependence worldwide. Many businesses use technology to remain competitive and deliver products and services on time.
Using technology involves several different aspects of management, finance, design, research, and manufacturing. All of these areas require the use of skilled people and resources. Additionally, it requires that the technology be used properly and safely. If a technology fails or is outdated, it needs to be replaced.
Developing a new technology will incur both costs and risks. For example, a proposed new energy source or technology will require its own equipment and materials as well as the ability to operate and maintain it. When a new technology is developed, it will also have to face costs for retraining, maintenance, and repair. Furthermore, if it is not used, it will have a negative impact on the environment.
Modern technology requires complex manufacturing techniques and organizations. It is also dependent on human control for programming and monitoring. Even most automatic systems require some level of human involvement. This is especially true in cases of specialized applications.
Technologies have become so complex that entire fields have emerged to support them. These include engineering, manufacturing, and construction.
During the last three centuries, technology has made a huge impact on the development of civilization. It is an essential element in the creation of new instruments and processes, such as radio and television. Agricultural technology, for example, probably has more of an effect on the lives of humans than has political revolutions.
Technological invention is an enduring topic in dystopian literature, including A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess and Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. New technologies have been criticized for their negative impacts on the environment, particularly in the 1970s.
New technologies are often the product of scientific discoveries, although they may draw upon knowledge from other fields. Scientific discoveries are aimed at discovering enduring principles. Science and technology are related, and a strong link between the two has helped improve the quality of life.