Is the objective of technology to make our lives easier or is it something else? This is a question that has been asked by people for centuries and the answer is still not clear. Some say that the objective of technology is to help us achieve certain goals, while others believe that its main purpose is to control us. In this blog post, we will explore different theories about the objective of technology and see what conclusions we can draw from them.
What defines technology?
Technology refers to the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. It includes the use of equipment, machines, chemicals, and other tools to achieve a desired outcome. But what is the objective of technology? Is it to make our lives easier or is it something else? Let’s explore some different theories about the objective of technology and see what conclusions we can draw from them.
The objective of technology is to help us reach ours
One theory is that the objective of technology is to help us achieve certain goals. This means that technology exists to help us achieve things that we wouldn’t be able to achieve without it. For example, technology can help us travel to distant places, communicate with people who are far away, and even cure diseases. This theory suggests that technology is a tool that we can use to achieve our goals.
Technology exists to control us
Others say that the objective of technology is to control us. This theory suggests that technology is used by those in power to control the masses. For example, TV and radio broadcasts can be used to brainwash people, and social media can be used to track our movements and thoughts. This theory suggests that technology is a way for those in power to keep us under control. On the other side, some companies that monetize this effect and sell security services like a VPN to people who feel they are monitored too much without it.
Technology is there to make us happy
Another theory is that the objective of technology is to make us happy. This theory suggests that technology was created to make our lives easier and more enjoyable. For example, smartphones allow us to stay connected with our friends and family, video games can help us relax after a long day, and internet dating can help us find our perfect match. This theory suggests that technology was created to improve our lives.
Happy or sad? Positive or negative?
While technology has undoubtedly made our lives easier in many ways, it has also had some negative consequences. For example, while social media can be used to stay connected with friends and family, it can also be used to spread rumors and gossip. Additionally, while video games can be a fun way to relax after a long day, they can also be addictive and harmful. But so is smoking a cigarette or drinking alcohol.
And finally, while internet dating can help us find our perfect match, it can also lead to disastrous relationships. But is that really the fault of “technology”? Everything that a human enjoys doing can become addictive and therewith harmful. Even if I meet a person IRL it’s absolutely possible that one ends up having a bad date. There is the potential for good and bad things to happen but it’s up to people and not up to an abstract concept that categorizes something.
The objective of technology is…
My personal opinion is that technology is defined by the application of what we learned from science to solve problems in our lives or help us improve our life’s quality. Tech isn’t tech because it’s connected via USB or Bluetooth. Tech isn’t tech because it’s in the cloud or comes with an app. Tech isn’t tech because it runs with electricity or costs a monthly subscription.
To me, technology can be rubbing two wooden sticks to start a fire. Technology can be warm clothes that keep us warm when it’s cold outside. Tech is the medicine that helps us recover when we are sick. Tech helps us at work to achieve in one day what used to take a week. It protects us from harm and helps us through the day. That’s the objective of technology for me. My opinion is certainly nothing more than just that, but I feel like I found a way to define technology and its objective well for myself.
YouTube: What are the costs of technology? (Simon Sinek)
Photo credit: The feature image has been done by Sergii Gnatiuk.
