Technology is a broad term used to describe the products and processes that help us live our lives better. It encompasses a wide range of items from simple hand tools to computer chips, and includes the systems that make them work such as power supply, software and interfaces. Technology also enables people to learn more easily, for example through video lessons and online courses.
The most obvious advantage of technology is that it saves time by performing tasks we are unable to do ourselves. For example, a task that would have taken days to complete can now be done in seconds thanks to computers. This allows us to spend more time on other tasks or to do a number of things at once.
Democratising access to information is another benefit of technology, as it provides a means for anyone to educate themselves at any time and in any place. This is especially true of the internet, where there are now over 6.3 million searches conducted per minute.
However, there are a number of disadvantages to technology. Some of these are practical problems such as the reliance on energy or pollution produced by some technologies. However, other risks include the disruption of existing social hierarchies and the harm that can be caused to individuals or groups by certain technologies.
Technology has also made it easier for people to start their own businesses, as they have access to more resources. This is particularly true of the internet, which allows entrepreneurs to set up companies from the comfort of their home and create a digital presence that reaches customers across the globe.