Technology is defined in Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Tenth Addition as the “superior art or profession”. In other dictionaries, technology is defined as the application of scientific knowledge to practical ends, especially in engineering. Technological change is often defined as a subdivision or evolution of technology. The dictionary definitions of technological systems often refer to the process of introducing new technologies, often with corresponding increases in complexity. Technological change occurs through the development of new knowledge and techniques, sometimes with a modification of existing ones. Technological systems are used to describe methods and information forms required to enable the effective use of technology.
Technological systems are usually defined as a whole, which includes both the physical and non-physical aspects. It is a subdivision of science, usually with a focus on both scientific knowledge and technological know-how. Technological systems give us capabilities that were previously available only to the scientific community. Technological systems therefore give us a breadth of new technologies, which we will explore in this article.
As noted above, technological systems are frequently subdivided into two main subsets: physical and social. Physical technologies include such things as power production, weapons systems, machines, and industrial processes, while social technologies encompass such things as culture, art, information, communication, and entertainment. Technological systems thus give us new capabilities for enhancing human well-being, while also giving us tools for enabling social interaction. In this sense, art and culture can be considered as both a physical and social science. As technology allows us to enhance our existence by acquiring greater knowledge and skill sets, it also gives us greater scope for producing art and culture as well as the means to expressing those cultures and art.
Art and Culture As identified by Carl Schatzberg in his famous book Man and the Search, there are four broad aspects of culture. These aspects are analog, formal, symbolic, and empirical. Analogues include everyday practices that represent the culture of individuals, such as art practices, songs, and stories. Formal traditions, on the other hand, include the formal language or ideology of a country, culture, or religion, such as legal systems, academic disciplines, and political systems.
Symbolism refers to the use of pictures, images, or figurines to represent abstract ideas or concepts. The most common of these symbols are: logos, which are representations of brands, words, numbers, and other types of technology, animals, and plants; numbers, which are used to represent time and date, sometimes accompanied by geometrical figures; paintings and sculptures, which are representative of emotions, feelings, or themes, often with complex themes or images. As technology has grown exponentially over the twentieth century, it has become increasingly important to understand culture as a part of the scientific process, even as it continues to evolve. For example, while a few years ago it was not possible to discuss socio-cultural science in a scientific manner, with the invention of the microscope and the development of molecular biology and genetics, the field became more defined in the last century.
Technological change is taking place at an increasing pace in all areas of life, including business, education, government, health, medicine, technology, and society. The division of human society into categories such as male, female, and class is undergoing profound changes, with some of these categories going underdiagnosed. Some of the most important technological innovations over the past century have been in the field of medicine, with the invention of antibiotics and chemotherapy being primary examples. Some of the most important advancements in technology and the arts, however, have been in computer sciences, such as those of digital graphics and 3D animation. While a great deal of research has gone into all of these areas, Schatzberg’s work stands out as an exception, insofar as it represents the most comprehensive description of technology and its impact on society.