Whether it’s a car, a computer, or an airplane, technology is a fundamental part of our world. It can alter life in positive and negative ways. It can also change the way people communicate, work, and interact with each other.
It can also influence the course of history. For example, nuclear explosives changed wars. But it can also disrupt social hierarchies. It can create pollution, harm individuals, and cause other problems.
The term “technology” has come to describe the study of how things work, including processes, techniques, skills, and raw materials. It can also be a term used to refer to the state of a field’s knowledge.
Technology is the process of creating means to order, transform, and realize valued ends. It is also the application of science and mathematics to the practical goals of human life.
Technology is a complex social enterprise. It involves humans and machines, and is shaped by cultural values and principles. It shapes the natural environment as well.
In the United States, technological options are influenced by many factors, including economic competition, consumer acceptance, patent laws, and local regulations. They may also be shaped by political, legal, and tax incentives.
New technologies can also be criticized for their effects on the environment. As with any new technology, there are costs associated with using the technology and building it. This includes the cost of developing and maintaining it, as well as the social costs associated with its use and disposal.