Technology is a broad term that encompasses all tools and machines used to manipulate the environment. It can include anything from a simple crowbar to the latest space station or particle accelerator. The use of technology has influenced the course of history and the nature of human society. It has changed how people farm, build cities, travel, eat, communicate, conduct business, and much more. It is also responsible for large-scale changes such as increased urbanization and the growing economic interdependence of communities worldwide.
For example, a digital printer is a piece of technology that has revolutionized how businesses print documents and other materials. Another example is an ATM (automated teller machine), which has changed how people get their money without having to wait in line at the bank. Technology is a powerful tool that can help to improve a company’s productivity and reduce costs. It can also allow a company to stay competitive in the market by providing its customers with high-quality products.
Despite its vast scope, not all technology is created equal. Some innovations are controversial and may even lead to the need for strict government regulation. Contour plowing, vaccination, genetic engineering, and nuclear power plants are just some examples. For the most part, however, technological innovations spread or disappear on the basis of free-market forces and the willingness or unwillingness of individuals and companies to adopt them. Although individual citizens cannot directly pressure governments or corporations to adopt a particular technology, they can influence the public debate over such issues as energy sources, automobiles, and food and fabric production techniques.
