
1. **What I Think Now**
1.1. **New Definition**
1.1.1. Technology is a reflection of human intelligence and capabilities, given an environment that is intended to meet a certain material or social desire.
1.1.1.1. Example: Primal humans **desire** higher chance of **survivability ** (Kevin Kelly tells technology's epic story)
1.1.1.1.1. **Material:** Tools and weapons to physically survive, hunt.
1.1.1.1.2. **Social:** Developed social groups with established roles to spread work efficiently.
1.2. Social and Cultural Technology
1.2.1. Technology within the Arts
1.2.1.1. Music
1.2.1.1.1. The way music is listened and experienced can evolve. Orchestras for example is technologuy "that binds together instruments, people, and music" (John Dyer, 2009).
1.2.1.1.2. Classic instruments can be reinvented. For example, the introduction of the Electric guitar, harnessed **magentic pickup** to create a new sound. The magentic pickup technology revolutionized the world of music in the 30s, and it's influence is prominent to this day (National Museums Liverpool, 2025).
1.2.2. Communication
1.2.2.1. **Desire:** Communicate information to others. Languages and speech are early social technologies that have become the foundation for all other communication technologies.
1.2.2.1.1. Evolution of communication technology
1.2.3. Education
1.2.3.1. With further research, we discovered new teaching methodologies that provide students with more tailored and effective learning strategies. Teaching also refllects contemporary technology as learning tools. (The history of technology in education)
1.2.3.1.1. Google in the 90s and 2000s brought concern in academia, questioning the use of the website and seeing it as a challenge to the integrity and legitimacy of learning. Nowadays, Google has become a primary resource for everyone to learn. (How has google changed education?)
1.2.3.1.2. A modern example can be Artificial Intelligence. Academia is discovering ways to harness the capabilities of AI for resourceful learning. In my math class, we are using an AI tutor program named "Genda." Genda can create practice problems, organize notes, and help you solve answers without giving you the steps.
1.2.4. Technology as a tool to connect with others
1.2.4.1. With technology, we can create artistic and creative expressions through a variety of mediums. For example, we can create digital scrapbooks to relive memories with others or watch and stream movies to bond with someone (Apple Christmas Commercial 2021 | Apple Christmas Ad 2021).
1.3. Technology represents the combination of human understanding of natural laws and phenomena accumulated since ancient times to make things that fulfil our needs and desires or that perform certain functions (Karatsu, 1990). (Li-Hua What is technology?)
2. **Why do we need new Technology?**
2.1. A constant in life is change—in an individual and societal sense. As preferences, tastes, and desires evolve, it is natural to solve or settle those ideas. Needing new technology reflects society's values to continue evolving—we want to constantly make improvements, to test the boundaries in our existing environment.
2.1.1. In contemporary economic-social context, companies desire to continuously improve profits, which requires investments in research and technology to adjust to consumer tastes.
2.1.1.1. A simple example can be social media and service applications incorporating the "Shorts" video format—popularized by TikTok. Companies understood that the general consumer's tolerance for longer, formal videos is diminishing. To compensate, companies focused on incorporating "Short"-styled videos to push engagement and gather data from users.
2.1.2. Music has constantly been evolving through the use of technology, which also faces public pushback by redefining barriers.
2.1.2.1. The introduction of computers and digital music was challenged by contemporary musicians, believing that the art form was heading toward a less authentic direction. We are seeing another wave of resistance, particularly with Artificial Intelligence and music.
2.1.2.1.1. Algorithms can mimic deceased or living artists' vocal abilities—essentially allowing anyone to "create" any song with their favorite artist's voice.
2.2. Humans often strive for perfection—it is programmed in us to be explore our envionments and make our lives easier.
2.2.1. Improving efficency with current technology.
2.2.1.1. Ex: Computer components become outdated after a couple of years due to inefficiency in handling new software. (8 GB ram in 2005 is not the same as 8 GB ram in 2024)
2.2.2. Improving quality of life
2.2.2.1. Biological/medicinal technology
2.2.2.1.1. Various drugs have been developed to aid operations (e.g., opioids → anesthesia).
2.2.2.1.2. Biological discoveries to create vaccines and medicine.
2.2.2.2. Vehicular/transportation technology
2.2.2.2.1. Electric and Hybrid vehicles
2.2.2.2.2. Transmission evolution (Manual to automatic)
2.2.2.2.3. Roads, streets, urban planning and designing
2.2.2.3. Ecological technology
2.2.2.3.1. Discovering technology that can improve our ecological footprint has become a priority. In recent years, there has been a push for sustainable products in the Western world, as general consciousness has become more aware of the negative ecological impacts of traditional business practices. (Forbes The importance of sustainability in business).
3. **What I Thought Prior**
3.1. **Old Definition**
3.1.1. "Physical or electronic innovations meant to solve a certain problem/desire"
3.2. Devices with electrical components, softwares, etc. (societal interpretation of technology)
3.2.1. Telephones --> Cellphones --> Smartphones
3.2.2. Computers, Laptops, Network Services
3.2.3. Large Language Models and Artificial Intelligence
3.3. Primal Technology
3.3.1. Axe, spears, fire, etc.
4. **What Changed?**
4.1. An awareness of "soft" technology.
4.1.1. My previous view was ignorant of the discoveries and evolution within the arts, social adaptations and formations, and more. It is vital to be cognizant of all the factors and foundations in our world.
4.1.1.1. Technologies and the shift towards the perception of survival led us to our current society. Social technology began with hunter-gatherers, developed tools and societies that were more sedentary to make life easier, which led us to the Agricultural Revolution, and so on.
4.1.1.1.1. During these changes in eras, we've seen how technology also impacts our surrounding environment. For example, the impacts of technology on climate change have existed prior to the industrial era, with data suggesting that climate change was occurring as far back as the agricultural age. (Kevin Kelly tells technology's epic story)
4.1.1.2. Art and STEM are more adjacent than we give credit for. STEM influences art the same way art influences STEM. For example, advancements in mathematics influenced innovation within art, such as linear perspective, depth, etc. Math is widely credited for allowing humans to fully comprehend and apply a third plane into drawings and art, effectively starting the movement for "Realism" and much more.
4.1.1.3. Religion using artistic technology as a method to connect with their community (choirs, sculptures, and art, etc.).
4.2. Too much tecehnology? An **awareness** of what **technology** we are **reliant** on.
4.2.1. Technology and advancements are amazing, but it is critical to be aware of what technology we are reliant on and who creates these technologies.
4.2.1.1. Ex: The Apple iPhone, at the end of the day, is a company product. Society has become reliant on smart devices, which allows companies to possess influence over certain countries. Russia, for example, cannot access various Apple features due to their war on Ukraine, such as Apple Pay.
4.2.1.2. Companies' algorithms are trained to behave in a manner that provides value to the company—whether through data, money, or other means. The ethics behind these algorithms utilizing psychological tactics to retain a user base is a controversial topic. Users should be cognizant of the technology and products they rely on to avoid manipulation and remain aware of biases. (Ali et al. A study of a hybrid Fogg-Hook based social media addictive algorithm from the perspective of Kuwait Society)
4.2.2. Understanding that everything in modern society and upcoming society is built from existing technology, some of which do not physically showcase itself.
4.2.2.1. Ex: Plumbing and sewage technology have been foundational to the context of modern towns and cities.
4.2.2.2. Social technology has led to democracy by evolving systems of communication and governance that enable individuals to participate in decision-making. Early advancements like language, writing, and printing allowed ideas to spread and foster public discourse. Over time, innovations like voting systems, assembly forums, and digital platforms expanded citizen involvement, shaping political systems.