Technology means “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes” and the “machinery and equipment developed from such scientific knowledge.”

The word is derived the from Greek word tekhnologia, meaning “systematic treatment”, which is composed of the root tekhné, meaning “art, craft” and the suffix -logia, meaning “study (of)”.

In his book Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man (1964), Marshall McLuhan considered technology as a means of extension of human faculties, indeed as an extension of the human body beyond its physical limitations. Of course we use tools—the products of technology—to extend or amplify our physical capabilities. McLuhan pointed out that these extensions provided by technology and media can have both pros and cons.