1. My Previous View of Technology
1.1. Transportation and Exploration
1.1.1. International Space Station (SpaceX, 2015)
1.1.1.1. With the construction and expansion of the International Space Station, we're always striving to get closer to the stars and advancing through space.
1.1.2. Electric Car (Bird, 2016)
1.1.2.1. With many countries around the world attempting to go carbon neutral, Canada being one of them, the need for Electric Vehicles will increase more and more.
1.2. Robotics
1.2.1. Assembly Line Robots (Alvarez, 2021)
1.2.1.1. Robots are commonly used today to work assembly lines in manufacutring. Reduces human risk and can be automated to work non-stop for increased production.
1.3. Security and Defence
1.3.1. Missiles (Fehrenbach, 2011)
1.3.1.1. If a war were to break out today, there is a chance that it could be fought entirely through the use of long range missiles, where you can hit a target with precision accuracy without getting close to it in person.
1.3.2. Security Cameras (PhotoMIX, 2016)
1.3.2.1. Nowadays, there are eyes everywhere constanly recording in the form of surveillence cameras and CCTV everywhere around the world.
1.4. Communication and Education
1.4.1. Internet (Alleksana, 2020)
1.4.1.1. With the Internet always expanding, and with the recent COVID pandemic proving that Education can be done purely online, the lengths that people can use the internet is bigger than ever. With people being able to get news, education, and important information in an instant.
1.4.1.2. A look at Technology in Education
1.4.2. Smartphone (Le Blanc, 2017)
1.4.2.1. With the introduction of Smartphones becoming more and more commonplace and necessary in today's world, you can contact and communicate with anyone from anywhere in the world, making communication easier than ever.
1.5. Old Definition of Technology
1.5.1. Anything that involves the use of electronic components or electricity is tecnhology
2. Why we need New Technologies
2.1. Improve Safety
2.1.1. Wearable Tech
2.1.1.1. Yasmin Mustafa talks about safety advances, stating: "Wearable technology has been a major part of various industries in the 21st century, with the most notable example being construction. This area is quite vast, including pieces of technology like cooling vests, smartwatches, exoskeletons, helmets and two-way communication headsets for safety." (Mustafa, 2023)
2.1.2. Vehicle Safety
2.1.2.1. "Hundreds of thousands die in car accidents, and more than a few of those are work-related. As such, experts have been improving technology to make vehicles as safe as possible for the average American worker." (Mustafa, 2023)
2.2. Greater Efficiency
2.2.1. Yogesh Rawal states that: "Technology can help speed up the processes by bringing more flexible ways to carry out tasks. Introducing cloud computing, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, CRM solutions, and other systems can lead to better business and customer management. They can also help you track and analyze performance for better goal achievement. Proper implementation of such systems can lead to a performance boost and overall increased efficiency." (Rawal, 2021)
2.3. Environmental Concerns
2.3.1. Andrea Galindo mentions Nuclear power being: "Nuclear power is a low-carbon source of energy, because unlike coal, oil or gas power plants, nuclear power plants practically do not produce CO2 during their operation. Nuclear reactors generate close to one-third of the world’s carbon free electricity and are crucial in meeting climate change goals." (Galindo, 2022)
3. My Current View of Technology
3.1. New Definition of Technology
3.1.1. Using practical skills and knowledge of different fields in applications
3.2. What we call Technology can mean lots of different things to different people, such as how it is the tools by which we shape the world today, and also the process of how we order the systems that control all machines.
3.2.1. Robert Friedel states that: "By technology we typically mean the knowledge and instruments that humans use to accomplish the purposes of life." (Friedel, 2007, p. 1).
3.2.1.1. Technology can be summarized as the tools or instruments, combined with the knowledge to use them correctly, that humans use to solve problems.
3.2.2. Ian Barbour defines it as “Technology may be defined as the application of organized knowledge to practical tasks by ordered systems of people and machines.” (Barbour, 1993, p. 3)
3.2.2.1. Technology can be explained as the process of applying knowledge in order to control systems of both how society works, and how machinery works alongside it.
3.2.3. Isman provides an interesting excerpt on: "Human’s use of technology involves not only machines (e.g., computer hardware) and instruments, but also includes structured relations with other humans, machines, and the environment. In short, technology is more than a collection of machines and devices. To go beyond simplistic intuitions about technology requires investigation of the human mind and socio-cultural environment as well as interactions with technological artifacts" (Isman, 2012, 208)
3.2.3.1. Technology is often treated as simply anything that involves electronic compononets, such as electronic devices, hardware used for scientific reasons, and even in manufacturing processes. However a more accurate definition defines Technology as simply meaning any instance where knowledge is applied to complete a task.
3.3. Technology is everywhere now, in all manner of forms, from everyday things that you may not notice nor care about, to advances that you would see and use everyday.
3.3.1. Memory Foam
3.3.1.1. "Mattresses, shoes, pillows, and even some blankets, commonly use memory foam, durable padding that is noted for its ability to cushion, support, and relieve pressure." (Santa Maria, 2021)
3.3.2. Bluetooth Electronics Originally Developed by NASA
3.3.2.1. "Plantronics, the company that developed the technology alongside NASA, built upon their findings, going on to create Bluetooth headsets that wirelessly connect to phones and computers." (Santa Maria, 2021)
3.3.3. Invisible Braces Originally Developed by NASA
3.3.3.1. "You can thank NASA for your invisible braces. Believe it or not, they were developed using technology used to track heat-seeking missiles." (Santa Maria, 2021)
3.3.4. Kevin Kelly tells technology's epic story
3.3.4.1. Kevin Kelly explains that there is no such thing as a bad technology, or a bad idea. A failed technology, or a bad idea, will eventually be used to replace itself with a good technology, or a bad idea will be replaced with a good idea eventually.