Technology Is Everything (not just computers)

      If I were to use the word ‘technology’, odds are you would think of it as ‘computer’, or possibly ‘modern electronic device’. That sure seems to be the way the word is used. Yet in doing so, we toss aside all the other items that used to fit under the ‘technology’ umbrella.

      I would argue the word ‘technology‘ means: The end result of engineering. In turn, ‘engineering‘ is the application of science. And ‘science‘ is the study of the world we live in. The dictionary more or less agrees with me (for whatever that is worth).

      This means that wheels, despite their age, are no less a form of ‘technology’. The same applies to the inclined plane (ie ramp), levers, or any of the so called ‘simple machines’. On the other extreme, the latest smartphone is just as much ‘technology’. As is everything in between. It’s all technology.

      With the possible exception of ‘art’ (which is a different debate), every manufactured object is technology. To restrict the usage of a word to a subset, which happens to only include certain ‘modern’ uses, is to ignore all of history.

      While words do evolve, and their usage change over time, it does not seem wise to throw out the past when other words already exist that do the job. ‘Electronics’ is pretty good, or ‘Computer’. Could always add ‘Modern’ to any of them. Or ‘Ancient‘, plenty of qualifiers exist.

      Just ranting about a pet peeve here. Nothing to see, move along.