TechnologyRolando Coto, AILDI June 2012. University of Arizona

What comes to your mind when you hear the word technology?

What comes to your mind when you hear the word technology?

What is technology?

What is technology?

The practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area. (Merriam Webster)

(The study and knowledge of) the practical, especially industrial, use of scientific discoveries. (Cambridge Dictionaries)

Making, modification, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems, methods of organization, in order to solve a problem, improve a preexisting solution to a problem, achieve a goal or perform a specific function. (Wikipedia)

Technology (Dictionary definitions):

[Technology] is "the application of knowledge", and more narrowly dealing with tools and techniques for carrying out the plans to achieve desired objectives. (OCDE Camberra Manual)

"...the know-how and creative processes that may assist people to utilize tools, resources and systems to solve problems and to enhance control over the natural and made environment in an endeavor to improve the human condition." (Unesco 1985, Technology Education Federation of Australia, 1999)

Technology (International bodies):

The application of scientific activity to the improvement of our natural and artificial environment, to invention, and to the manufacture of material and cultural goods. (Bunge, 2005)

Humanity at Work. (Pitt, 2000)

Technology (Philosophical definitions):

All human cultures have used technology.

Technology

All human cultures have used technology.

Technology

All human cultures have used technology.

Technology

Not only humans have technology!

Source: PLoS Biology Vol. 3/11/2005, e385 >>

Not only humans have technology!

Source: Science Vol118(765) >>

There are many different kinds of technologies.

The use of technologies carries several ethical considerations…

Source: Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University >>

Is technology morally neutral?

Is technology morally neutral?

Video: Moloch (Metropolis)

Is technology morally neutral?

Are the creators of a technology responsible for its use?

Are the creators of a technology responsible for its use?

Are the creators of a technology responsible for its use?

Are there inherent risks in technology?

What do the moral codes in your communities say about these matters?

A relevant example: Writing

Yes, writing is a kind of technology: It is the use of a tool (a group of symbols) to solve a problem (repeating words and sentences even if the person who uttered them originally isn’t there with you).

Technologies can vary in the way they solve a problem.

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida,

Vocalic symbols are dependent on the consonantic symbols.

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida, abjad,

These writing systems generally leave the vowels out.

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida, abjad, featural)

The shape of the symbols is inspired in the shape of the mouth as you pronounce the sounds.

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida, abjad, featural)- Syllabaries

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida, abjad, featural)- Syllabaries

Inuktitut (Northern Canada)

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida, abjad, featural)- Syllabaries

Cherokee (United States)

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida, abjad, featural)- Syllabaries

Cherokee (United States)

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida, abjad, featural)- Syllabaries- Logograms

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida, abjad, featural)- Syllabaries- Logograms

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida, abjad, featural)- Syllabaries- Logograms

Types of writing systems >>- Alphabetical (complete, abugida, abjad, featural)- Syllabaries- Logograms

[Pause to discuss the prosand cons of writing systems]

How about computers? What opportunities and challenges do they come with?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yashrg/2854410669/in/set-72157607274344384/Mano con iPhone (Yash Gupta, CC 2.0 BY-NC)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Design_for_a_Flying_Machine.jpgMáquina voladora (dominio público)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:National_park_stone_tools.jpgHerramientas de piedra en parques nacionales estadounidenses (dominio público)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inca_Quipu.jpgQuipu (Claus Ableiter, CC 3.0 BY-SA)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gorilla_tool_use.pngGorila usando tecnología (PLoS Biology, CC 3.0 BY)

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/318/5851/765.abstractCuervos usando herramientas (Science, todos los derechos reservados. Se considera uso justo pq...)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Degen_de1103.jpgradio degen (Mohylek, CC 2.5 BY-SA)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maler_der_Grabkammer_des_Sennudem_001.jpgarado egipcio (dominio público)

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Caracol_in_chich%C3%A9n_itz%C3%A1.jpgobservatorio el caracol (André Möller, CC 3.0 BY-SA)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tamagotchi_0124_ubt.jpegtamagotchi (tomasz sienicki, CC 3.0 BY-SA)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%C4%90%E1%BA%B7t_%C4%91%C3%B3.jpgVietnamese traditional fish trap (Petr & Bara Ruzicka, CC 2.0 BY)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55397833@N00/336103109/Piedras blancas y negras (imago, CC 2.0 BY-NC-SA)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gogri/3779793041/El bien y el mal (Nimish Gogri, CC 2.0 BY)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenmccown/4698999522/Pesticidas (Ken McCown, CC 2.0 BY-NC-ND)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dzingeek/4587871752/mad scientist (jennifer rouse, CC 2.0 by-nc-dd)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soilscience/5103180569/soil scientists at work (soil Science, cc 2.0 by)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toucanradio/1203009991/Cattenom nuclear plant (Toucanradio, CC 2.0 BY-NC-ND)

Maya gylphs (Thomas Aleto, todos los derechos reservados)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sequoyah.jpgSequoya (dominio público)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37651136@N05/5637077256/Teclado (ericnvntr, CC 2.0 BY)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fourbats.jpgBate de beisbol

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/inuktitut.htmSilabario Inuktitut

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stipula_fountain_pen.jpgPluma fuente