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It is a bit of an edge case, but "technology" literally just means "application of conceptual knowledge for achieving practical goals". Economists work to forma

by roenxi 3y ago

It is a bit of an edge case, but "technology" literally just means "application of conceptual knowledge for achieving practical goals". Economists work to formalise the technologies used, but they are all social constructs. Armies stand out as a social technology. EDIT ^W^W^W^W my bad, that link was irrelevant.

quantified 3y ago
That's the wikipedia definition, other sources tend to lean into application of science, for example Merriam-Webster: a : the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area : ENGINEERING sense 2 medical technology b : a capability given by the practical application of knowledge a car's fuel-saving technology 2 : a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge new technologies for information storage 3 : the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor If its as vague as "applied concepts for practical goals", Catholicism is also technology.
- roenxi 3y ago
  > If its as vague as "applied concepts for practical goals", Catholicism is also technology. Yes. A very effective one. Up there with the wheel for staying power; I imagine the Catholics are proud of what they've built.
  - quantified 3y ago
    In which case social constructs are technology too.
    - roenxi 3y ago
      Yes, exactly.