Technology is the use of tools and knowledge to improve the human condition. The earliest examples of technology are stone tools and control of fire, which helped to increase food production. Modern technological advances include the printing press, telephone, and the Internet, which have lowered barriers to communication and allowed for greater global exchange of information.
Technological progress happens mainly when we combine existing technologies together to meet a new need. Arthur notes that this approach to invention radically changes our view of technology and its relationship to institutions. It rejects the idea that lone inventors drive the development of new technologies, replacing it with a model of technology as a combinatorial process in which various technologies prioritize and erode other routes to their ends.
For example, when digital cameras came to market and dominated the photo market, analogue photography was effectively deprioritized along with its associated pathways (like darkrooms). However, the deprioritization of analogue photography does not necessarily mean that it was a bad pathway; it simply became less efficient.
Technology is a key component in modern business operations, and it is a necessary tool for any company to remain competitive in their industry. Companies must continually upgrade their technology to ensure they are able to provide customers with the best service and to make improvements to their products. While technology helps businesses advance, it is important to remember that technology can also cause disruptions within the workplace. To avoid these disruptions, it is important to carefully evaluate the impact of technology before adopting or implementing it in the classroom.