Technology encompasses a range of tools, devices and systems that help people and businesses operate more efficiently and effectively. It also refers to the knowledge used to create and implement these technologies.
Technology is the result of people’s attempts to bring the world closer to how they wish it to be. It is an ongoing endeavor that requires people to deliberate about what ends should be prioritized, not just how efficient different means should be in pursuit of those ends.
Developing and maintaining technological systems often requires sophisticated engineering skills. This is why entire industries have emerged to support them and their design, manufacture and use.
Technological progress is typically a step-by-step process that includes many failures and pitfalls along the way. This is why apparently promising early technologies often stall midway through development — a phenomenon known as the ‘death valley’.
Learning about the complexities of technology is critical for those who seek to understand it. By exploring the underlying complexities of what a technology is and how it works, we can better understand the effects it has on our lives and how it is evolving. For example, understanding how a computer is made helps us realize that even something seemingly simple has its own complexities. This is a valuable skill for those who work in a variety of fields that require a deep understanding of technology. These include IT, coding and artificial intelligence. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly important for students to learn these skills in school.