Examples of technological advances made in the field of science and engineering include the following: the internal combustion engine, computer chip processing, jet aircraft, the Internet, telephone services, and space travel. Technological examples of human invention include the following: the piano, computer mouse, global Positioning Systems, television set, internal and external combustion engines, global cooling systems, and the telephone. Technological innovations have also occurred in many fields beyond the traditional sciences and engineering. Some examples of these innovations include: digital writing pads, the electric shaver, the computer mouse, the Internet, microwaves, the personal digital assistant, the wristwatch, the car key chain, and the satellite navigation system. Technological change can either increase human freedom and responsibility or decrease it.

One way to think about technology is to think of it as a way to make things easier, faster, or more efficient-and the two ends of this spectrum often interact to create new ways of living and interacting with each other. Examples of technological innovations meant to make things easier include computers, laptops, digital cameras, printers, faxes, wireless modems, and cellular phones. Examples of technological innovations meant to make things more efficient include biotechnology products, advanced energy and transportation systems, computer software engineering, alternative fuels, and the Internet. Achieving the practical aims of technology is not always easy. Often, it requires a combination of human creativity and technological innovation.

There are four broad fields of study that fall under the broader umbrella of technology. These are engineering, information technology, physical sciences, and the social sciences. Within these broad fields of study, different things like technology applied to specific fields and technological objects overlap. Examples of things like engineering include the design of scientific equipment, the manufacturing of technical equipment, and the management of manufacturing processes. Information technology encompasses computer systems, networks, telecommunications, wireless modems, digital and online media, personal devices, business processes, and software.

One might argue that the most influential force on society today is technology. This would be a conservative point of view. Some might say that the greatest influence on society and the world as a whole is the scientific and technological revolution which has arguably impacted every aspect of our lives today. Other people would look more at the ways in which particular technologies have influenced people’s lives. These include the implications of new technologies for the creation of economic opportunities for women and ethnic minorities, the impact of computer technologies on jobs and the economy, and the impact of new technologies on the creative process.

In order to understand how technology affects the arts, one first has to understand what the arts are. The arts include artistic practices, such as music, dance, visual art, performance art, and literature. Furthermore, technology has an impact on the ways in which these materials are produced and created. This is an important issue that is addressed by scholars of art, such as Christopher Schatzberg in his paper “The Dialectic of Technology: An Introduction,” which he coauthored with Flora Brinkley-Jones. They argue that the increasing dependence on technology is not unalterable and that it is actually a good thing, especially since it makes creative endeavors more diverse and opens up avenues for new types of artistic forms and experiences.

However, some disagree. They claim that technological innovations have resulted in an erosion of Aristotle’s distinction between human and animal life, between physical and spiritual realities, and between reality and fantasy. In other words, they claim that technological innovations have rendered the distinction between machine and subject irrelevant. Therefore, the decline in the value of classical forms of art is not necessarily a bad thing, as many would argue that it opens up space for new artistic forms to develop and grow.