Whether technology is used to improve our lives or harm us, it has profound societal ramifications. The development of new technologies has often been criticized since the 1970s. New technologies have caused pollution, environmental degradation, and social hierarchies to crumble. Technology has also helped businesses produce goods faster and better. Technology has helped people communicate and interact more easily.
The concept of technology originated in the Indo-European root tek, which means wattling or building wooden houses. Later, the word was applied to a number of skill sets, including working with wood.
The term technology can also refer to material objects of use to humanity, such as fast computers or televisions. It can also refer to methods of organization and the use of tools.
The development of technology is a step-by-step process. Each step validates the underlying ideas and provides a greater understanding of the process. Each succeeding step is more complex, requiring sustained effort to overcome the limitations of the earlier step.
As technologies scale, their impact becomes more critical. For example, a mobile phone company can gain a competitive advantage by using advanced technology. In addition, technology can help small businesses gain a foothold in a competitive marketplace. Technology can also help businesses deliver products on time and within budget.
Technology is used in many different industries, including banking, science, business, and even politics. Technologists see their work as a process of problem-solving. They seek to bring the world closer to a desired state.