Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
What Is Technology?, How have my ideas changed? - Coggle Diagram
What Is Technology?
What I Think Technology Is Now
I now think that technology can be a machine, a tool, a system, a method or an idea created by different people to assist in work, problem solving and achieving goals in a simpler way.
Kiosks (TouchWo, 2024).
"A manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge" (Isman, 2012).
“Technology includes all tools, machines, utensils, weapons, instruments, housing, clothing, communicating and transporting devices and the skills by which we produce and use them.” (Bain, 1937, as cited in Thierer, 2014)
(Adobe Stock, n.d.).
(Canadian Tire, n.d.).
"Technology is anything useful that a human mind makes" (Kelly, 2010)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS1xL1qcBa4
Miles (1995) defines technology as the means by which we apply our understanding of the natural world to the solution of practical problems. It is a combination of “hardware” (buildings, plant and equipment) and “software” (skills, knowledge, experiences together with suitable organisational and institutional arrangement).
What I Used To Think Technology Was
Things with a technological component within or about them.
Digital Technology
Computers / Monitors (Savov, 2017).
Smartphones (Pier, 2025).
Smart Devices (Noronha, 2025).
Electrical Technology
Washing Machine (Morgan, 2024).
Radio (Best Buy Canada, n.d.).
Artificial Intelligence. Assuming AI was primarily "robotic" things.
(Dent, 2024).
Why Do We Need New Technologies?
We would limit not only ourselves, but what others could create if we don't seek to improve, develop and progress technology.
Joel Mokyr's definition of Technology is "By technological progress I mean any change in the application of information resulting either in the production of a given output with fewer resources or the production of better or new products" (Mokyr, 1990, as cited in Thierer, 2014)
The development of new and/or better products can allow us to experience a level of quality and efficiency that wasn't possible prior to this development.
If we decide to stick with what we currently have and not progress... we may never know how much potential we've lost.
References
Savov, V. (2017, January 5).
Dell XPS 27 all-in-one PC with 10 speakers
[Photograph]. The Verge.
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/1/5/14118768/dell-xps-27-windows-10-speakers-pc-ces-2017
Pier, S. (2025, September 9).
iPhone 17 Pro Max release date, price and features
[Photograph]. PhoneArena.
https://www.phonearena.com/iphone-17-pro-max-release-date-price-features-news
Noronha, S. (2025, October 1).
New Nest Cams, Nest Doorbell, and Google Home Speaker
[Photograph]. Google Blog.
https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/devices/google-nest/new-nest-cams-home-speaker-walmart/#new-nest-cams-nest-doorbell
Kelly, K. (2010, February 8).
Kevin Kelly tells technology's epic story
[Video]. TED.
TouchWo. (2024, March 15).
Types of kiosks
[Photograph]. TouchWo.
https://touchwo.com/types-of-kiosks/
Li-Hua, R. (2007). What is technology?
Journal of Technology Management in China, 2
(3).
https://doi-org.library.sheridanc.on.ca/10.1108/jtmc.2007.30202caa.001
Thierer, A. (2014, April 29). Defining "technology". Technology Liberation Front.
https://techliberation.com/2014/04/29/defining-technology/
Morgan, T. (2024, August 6).
Smart washing machines: 6 genuinely useful features that make life easier
[Photograph]. Which?.
https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/smart-washing-machines-useful-features-that-make-life-easier-azXWy4Z6PCot
Best Buy Canada. (n.d.).
Grace Digital Mondo Elite Classic smart internet radio - walnut
[Photograph] Best Buy Canada.
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/grace-digital-mondo-elite-classic-smart-internet-radio-walnut/15227625
Adobe Stock. (n.d.).
Stone Age Tools
[Photograph].
https://stock.adobe.com/ca/search?k=stone+age+tools&asset_id=326123707
Canadian Tire. (n.d.).
DEWALT DCK477D2 20V MAX cordless tool combo kit
[Photograph].
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/dewalt-dck477d2-20v-max-cordless-drill-driver-impact-driver-circular-saw-work-light-combo-kit-0546716p.html
Dent, S. (2024, January 9).
Hyundai and Boston Dynamics plan Atlas robot factory by 2028
[Photograph]. The Verge.
https://www.theverge.com/news/853973/hyundai-boston-dynamics-atlas-robot-factory-2028
How have my ideas changed?
