The importance of technology in our lives - Group 7

Welcome, history and technology enthusiasts, to our blog "Technology Development through History"! Today, we invite you on an exhilarating journey back in time to unravel the fascinating origins of technology. Prepare to be captivated as Mark Thomas delves into the remarkable advancements that have revolutionized our lives and left an indelible impact on the world we inhabit. In this captivating podcast, we will explore the roots of technology and trace its evolution throughout the ages. From the ingenious inventions of ancient civilizations to the cutting-edge innovations of the present day, we will uncover the incredible stories behind humanity's quest for progress. Join us as we embark on this enthralling exploration of Group 7

 

The Evolution Of Technology Development

 By Nicole Botello

September 22, 2022

Botello, N. (2022, September 22). The Evolution Of Technology Development. ELearning Industry; eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/the-evolution-of-technology-development

‌Origin Of Technology

One concept sees the origin of technology as arising from expedient human activity and the need for rational use of the means of this activity. Another concept of the emergence of technology was offered by O. Spengler. Technique, in his opinion, comes from the joint activity of large masses of people and is a way of organizing this activity. Therefore, technology should be considered not as a set of tools, but as a way of handling them, that is, practically as itself a technology.

An interesting concept of the origin of technology was offered by L. Mumford, who believes that gun and machine technology are products of biotechnology. By "Biotechnology" is meant everything a person needs for life. Technique comes from the features of human functioning and, in its origin, is closely related to the origin of man. It was first of all life-oriented, and only then work-oriented. Technique, aimed at production and power, arose, according to L. Mumford, much later.

Another original concept of technology was put forward by the scientist B. Porshnev. He believed that technology arises as a result of the impersonal properties of human adaptation to the world. So, instead of teeth and claws, a person is forced to use stones and sticks, which are considered as intermediaries: prototypes of modern technical devices. It seems that this version deserves special attention.

The main reason for the emergence of technology lies in the desire of man to overcome the limitations of his nature and organization, to increase the impact of his natural organs on the substance and forces of nature. In other words, the contradiction between the physical organization of man and the need to transform nature in order to produce the material goods required for his existence and development has become the main source, the motivating force, that determined human activity to create the first, primitive, archaic technology. The whole point of the further development of technology lies in the fact that humans intensify their influence on nature, consistently transferring a number of labor functions to technical devices. The following points are important for the philosophy of technology.

Periods Of Technological Development

1. The Era Of Manual Technology

In this era, the main tools were of manual labor—tools that continued and expanded the capabilities of natural human organs and strengthened them physically while labor was of a manual nature. The main functions of production were regulated by the subject and their capable labor force.

2. The Stage Of Mechanization And Machines

In this stage, the main force of production is machines, and man becomes the appendage, with many labor functions transferred to machines. Labor here is already mechanized. It is during this period that technogenic civilization and industrial society are formed.

3. The Era Of Automation

This began approximately in the second half of the twentieth century. Here, the machines, as it were, take a person out of direct production, and partially or completely replace a person with regard to active participation in production. The worker in this case acts as an organizer, controller and "manager", and it is not the physical capabilities, but the strength of intellect, technical abilities and knowledge, their cultural and technical contribution, that becomes important. It is obvious that the work here is automated.

Learning Tech: Modern Understanding Of Technology

To understand and clarify the essence of technology, it is appropriate to trace the history of its formation and the main stages of its development. The problem of the origin of technology is quite complex; there are various concepts on this matter.

It should be noted that computer technology is also, usually, considered a type of machine. Probably, it is still more correct to consider it as a relatively independent type of technology, opening the fourth stage in technical progress, involving a whole technical, technological, and information revolution.

L. Mumford, already mentioned above, believes that the beginning of the second millennium of our era can be considered the starting point of modern, and not ancient, technology. Based on the experience of European history, he identifies three possible technological divisions for the era:

1. The technical era (1000–1750)
   Based on the technology of "water and wood."
2. The paleo technical era (the second half of the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century)
   Based on the "coal and iron" complex.
3. The neotechnical era (now continuing)
   Uses the "electricity and alloys" complex.

As you can see, periodization is based on the main type of energy used in technology and the "substance" that occupies a central place in the creation of technical devices.

Technology: A Path of Transformation in the History of Humanity

 

Technology has been a transformative force in human history, revolutionizing the way we live, work, and interact. From the dawn of civilization to the present day, technological achievements have left an indelible mark on the development of society. In this article, we will explore some of technology's most notable milestones and their impact on the world.

The invention of the wheel vs. digital era:

The invention of the wheel was a milestone that transformed transportation and trade in ancient civilizations, enabling the expansion and exchange of goods. In comparison, the digital age has connected the world in an unprecedented way. The Internet and mobile devices have brought people closer together, democratized access to information, and accelerated innovation across the board.

Invention of the printing press vs. Industrial Revolution:

The invention of the printing press enabled the mass production of books, driving the flow of knowledge and triggering cultural and scientific changes. In contrast, the Industrial Revolution revolutionized production and transformed society. Machinery and steam-powered energy accelerated industrialization, changing economic and social structures and ushering in modernity.

Discovery of electricity vs. advances in medicine and science:

The discovery of electricity set the stage for a technological revolution, with the invention of lamps and the distribution of electric power. On the other hand, advances in medicine and science have led to significant improvements in the quality of life. From the discovery of antibiotics to the sequencing of the human genome, technology has expanded the frontiers of knowledge and opened up new possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Conclusion:

Throughout history, technology has evolved and left a lasting impact on humanity. The invention of the wheel and the printing press laid the foundation for the dissemination of knowledge and cultural advancement. Electricity and the Industrial Revolution accelerated economic and social development. Today, the digital age and advances in medicine and science continue to transform our way of life and expand our horizons. These technological achievements have brought us into an era of global interconnectedness and have improved our quality of life in ways unimaginable in the past. Technology is a powerful engine of change and will continue to define the future of humanity.

The biggest technology advancements of the last decade

 buzzpoint.co.uk. (2019, December 16). The biggest technology advancements of the last decade. Buzzpoint Web Design. https://buzzpoint.co.uk/the-biggest-technology-advancements-of-the-last-decade/

‌By buzzpoint-admin16 December 2019

We are nearly at the end of this decade and about to enter 2020. There have been some massive technological advancements in this last 10 years, some for health benefits and others just to improve our daily lives and make certain tasks easier. So here’s our pick of the best technology from the last decade.

1. Android

If you wanted a smartphone the only choice used to be the iPhone. But in September 2008 Google released Android, a free mobile operating system for companies to install onto their new devices. Although that was the previous decade, it only really started to evolve and improve in the last decade. It is now on the 10th version and is estimated to be used on over 2.5 billion active devices around the world. Since 2011 Android devices have year on year outsold iPhone’s and the technology used in the devices keeps on improving to make thinner, faster and better performing smartphones.

2. 5G network

Mobile internet used to be awful. It would take minutes to download images or files, and you didn’t even attempt to try and watch something on YouTube as it was so slow. The first improvement to mobile networks was 4G with the highest speeds matching and sometimes even better than home broadband speeds. Then in February 2017 5G was released which is even faster than 4G. Not only will this improve internet for our devices but it will also help the transfer of data in sectors such as production, automotive, health care, and energy. It will also help many industries make the change from wired to wireless connections.

3. Virtual reality

Virtual reality, or VR as it is often shortened to, was first launched in the 90’s, but it wasn’t until 2010 that Oculus released the first virtual reality headset that was realistic and fully immersive. It works by showing an image on small screens in a headset which you wear, making your eyes think that you are actually in that environment and you can also move your head around to explore the whole location you are in. One of the main areas it is used in is gaming, creating a fully immersive experience like you are actually inside the game, whether that be in a first person shooter or a driving simulator. It will be exciting to see where this tech goes in the future as it has already made such a big improvement in the last decade.

4. AI (Artificial intelligence)

AI is a really clever piece of tech and is such a big advancement on the tech we have had in the past. AI can be used in all sorts of applications from solving calculations to voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant. AI is also being used in driverless cars to help understand the road and make snap decisions in dangerous conditions. In 2017 Scientists at Facebook created 2 AI robots instructed to negotiate with each other over things like swapping one item they each owned with the other robot, to see if they could develop negotiation and bartering skills. They advanced so much that they began to talk in their own language which no one else could comprehend, so the project was eventually shut down due to concerns. It may paint pictures of robots running around with their own minds taking over the world, but in reality it can be controlled and used to help us with problem solving in the future.

5. Quantum supremacy

In October 2019 Google announced that using a machine running on quantum mechanics they had solved a problem which would confuse even the world’s top super computer, they called the breakthrough “Quantum supremacy”. According to the report Google’s Sycamore processor made a calculation in less than three and a half minutes that would take even the most powerful classic computer 10,000 years to complete. But what does this actually mean? Well if it is true it would revolutionise the modern world and completely transform the current way we process data. They also say it could help us with our understanding of the universe in the future.

6. Electric cars

Now if you look in the history books the very first electric car was released in 1832. But only really in 2012 when Tesla launched the Model S did electric cars really start to make improvements and be a realistic rival to internal combustion engine cars. Range has improved to over 300 miles on 1 charge which is nearly as much as petrol or diesel powered cars, and charging times are dramatically reducing, making it feasible to do a long journey with just a quick 30-40 min coffee stop at a service station to charge up the car. Other manufacturers are also getting in on the act now and almost every current major car brand either has an electric car or have released a concept electric car to be released in the future. There is no denying that eventually all cars are going to be using some sort of electric motors.

7. Instagram

Instagram launched at the beginning of the decade in October 2010 and could never have been predicted how successful it would be. It currently has 1 billion active monthly users and over 100 million photos are uploaded to the social media platform every single day. It’s only going to get bigger as it expands it’s reach and user count. It hasn’t necessarily improved the way we live apart from our social lives, but it has helped businesses expand and reach their services and products out to a much wider audience by using the platform to advertise on. It is estimated that over 2 million businesses advertise on Instagram.

8. Tablets

Last but not least we get to tablets. The first tablet ever released was the iPad in April 2010 and it was a revolutionary bit of tech. They worked similar to iPhone’s, but had a massive 9.7″ touchscreen display making it easier to interact with things like games, watching movies and also working on if you wanted something a bit smaller than a laptop. If you look at the design of the very first iPad compared to the current model the design brief hasn’t really changed, they have just improved things like screen resolution and device thinness but the actual tablet design language has been unchanged since 2010. Other companies started getting in on the act with Android tablets, like Samsung and Lenovo. It’s one of those devices (like smartphones) that just feels natural to use. We don’t expect them to be going away anytime soon in the future.

That’s quite a lot of impressive tech, and we are excited to see what the next decade has to offer. This is now our last blog post of the year so we would like to thank everyone for reading this blog, and keep a look out for more reviews and articles coming in 2020.

How New Tech Shaped Past Decade

 Hello, welcome back to the blog "Technology Development through History"! Today, we will embark on an exciting journey back in time to explore how technology has evolved from ancient times to the present day. When we think of the abundance of gadgets, gizmos, and apps that we use in our daily lives, it is hard to imagine that we could ever live without them. From food delivery apps to music streaming services like Spotify to the art of googling to technological advances like Uber that have changed the way we travel. There have been so many technological advances in recent years that they have become too normalized and too central to our lives. Are you ready to look back on these innovations that have shaped the last ten years? Keep watching the video to travel back in time!

The impressive technological progress of the last decade: Innovations that have transformed our lives.

Over the past 10 years, we have witnessed rapid and exciting technological advancement that has left an indelible mark on our society. From the rise of mobile devices to artificial intelligence and virtual reality, this period has seen groundbreaking innovations that have transformed the way we work, communicate, and enjoy the world around us. In this post, we will explore some of the major technology trends and developments of the last 10 years.

The smartphone explosion:

In the last decade, smartphones have become an essential part of our lives. The evolution of mobile devices has led to larger screens, more sophisticated cameras, and greater processing power. In addition, 4G and, more recently, 5G mobile connectivity has provided ultra-fast Internet speeds and a smoother online experience.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning:

AI and machine learning have seen significant advances in the last decade. From virtual assistants such as Siri and Google Assistant to personalized recommendation systems in streaming and e-commerce platforms, AI has improved our daily lives. In addition, AI has found applications in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and autonomous driving, opening up new possibilities in these areas.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR):

VR and AR have gained ground in the last decade, providing immersive experiences and enhancing our interaction with the digital world. Virtual reality devices, such as VR glasses, have allowed people to immerse themselves in immersive virtual worlds, while augmented reality has improved the way we interact with the real environment, such as in games, navigation applications, and interactive advertising.

The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT):

The IoT has gained momentum in the last decade, connecting a wide range of devices to the Internet and enabling their interaction and remote control. From smart home appliances to connected security systems and smart cities, the IoT has improved our efficiency, convenience, and security in various aspects of our daily lives.

The advancement of blockchain technology:

Blockchain technology, known primarily for its application in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, has gained popularity over the past 10 years. Its ability to ensure security, transparency, and decentralization has led to its adoption in areas such as supply chain management, data security, and smart contracts, transforming the way we transact business and manage trust.

The Origins of Technology

 Welcome, history and technology enthusiasts, to our blog "Technology Development through History"! Today, we will embark on an exciting journey back in time to explore how technology has evolved from ancient times to the present day. Prepare to be amazed by the advances that have radically transformed our lives and shaped the world we live in.  So, we present this podcast of Mark Thomas talking about The Origins of Technology

Thomas, M. (2016). The Origins of Technology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxMh_3ooFyM