Technology is the use of knowledge to create tools and machines that solve problems and fulfill needs. It encompasses both the physical objects, such as utensils and vehicles, as well as the intangible ones, such as computer software. Technology relies on science, which is the reasoned investigation and study of phenomena using a formal method to find enduring principles, but can also incorporate other fields of knowledge, such as math, linguistics, history, and philosophy.
Technology plays a vital role in our daily lives, from converting natural resources into simple tools to helping humans communicate with each other on a global scale. It also allows businesses to remain competitive by developing new products and services faster than their competition.
For example, medical professionals use technology to monitor their patients’ health and wellness through devices like smartwatches that record biometric data such as heart rates or the quality of sleep. GPS, a form of navigation technology that uses satellites in Earth’s orbit to pinpoint locations on the planet, is another common example.
However, not everyone is a fan of the way that technology changes our lives. Some people prefer to stay away from the latest technologies or advocate that they be used sparingly or only when necessary. Others worry that advanced technological advances will eliminate jobs, leading to economic instability and violence. This fear is a major motivation for the movements advocating for the use of alternative energy sources and for universal basic income. It is also reflected in dystopian literary classics such as Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.