Is Technology Biological?

[treme]

If we exclude God from argument and assume we exist here naturally because of evolution, then can we call technology biological?

Pro: Technology is shaped by our genes. Genes determine the average distance between the human ear and the mouth. This in turn shaped how telephones are built.

Genes determine how our bodies bend. This shaped how car seats are built.

Genes determine average human hand size and shape. This determines how pens and pencils are built.

Genes determine the wavelengths of light and frequencies of sound we're able to perceive. This is why monitors and speakers are built the way they are.

Genes also determine what technology is built.

We can't run fast, so we built transportation.

We can't stay under water for long periods of time or move too quickly through it. Thus we've got sail boats, jet skis, scuba gear and submarines.

We can't see well at night. And we create light.

We can't withstand extreme temperatures so we create exoskeletons that regulate hot and cold.

Technology reproduces itself. The brick is a very useful bit of technology. How many of those are there?

Con: Technology isn't made up of living cells. Yes there is carbon in much of our technology but it's not alive so it cannot be biological.

[thrashee]

I think the question being asked is the wrong question.

Is technology biological? No. Does technology evolve based upon biological needs and influences? Most certainly, yes.

I like your thought process--I've never considered technology along these lines.

[rez]

Quote by: treme If we exclude God from argument and assume we exist here naturally because of evolution, then can we call technology biological?

Are you being serious? The Theory of Evolution is a fact. There is no better explanation other then ToE. Humans explain everything with nature. Humans test everything against nature. It is the way things have been working every since people dropped the whole idea of explaining reality with supernatural constructs.

People don't say their computer does not work because demons are inside it. People nowadays say their computer doesn't work because the CPU is having a problem processing the electricity...People don't use god to explain much about how reality works. People use natural explanations to explain how stuff works.

We exist here naturally period. Now if you want to say we exist here unnaturally, then you can argue God put us here, but I could equally argue you that Alien race put us here.

[thrashee]

The question asked wasn't about evolution. Treme was merely formulating his (or her) premise, which clearly assumes evolution to be correct.

[treme]

Quote by: thrashee The question asked wasn't about evolution. Treme was merely formulating his (or her) premise, which clearly assumes evolution to be correct.

Thank you :)

Quote by: thrashee I think the question being asked is the wrong question. Is technology biological? No. Does technology evolve based upon biological needs and influences? Most certainly, yes..

Yes, but why isn't it biological?

And even if it isn't biological, can technology be considered natural? I think so.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: treme If we exclude God from argument and assume we exist here naturally because of evolution, then can we call technology biological?

No.

Pro: Technology is shaped by our genes. Genes determine the average distance between the human ear and the mouth. This in turn shaped how telephones are built.

But the distance is different for every human and with the present cellular/digital phone technology certainly does not take such distance into consideration (one of the reasons I dislike cell phones).

Genes determine how our bodies bend. This shaped how car seats are built.

Is it really genes that determine how our bodies bend or something else?

Genes determine average human hand size and shape. This determines how pens and pencils are built.

How about if we stop trying to credit genes for this and credit human ingenuity. Otherwise, you reduce invention to the level of instinct and, frankly, I find such a notion offensive.

Genes determine the wavelengths of light and frequencies of sound we're able to perceive. This is why monitors and speakers are built the way they are.

Do genes really determine the wavelengths of light and the frequencies of sound. Does light have genes? Does sound have genes?

Genes also determine what technology is built.

There is no genetic basis (unless it's a damaged gene) for the invention of SPAM (the meat product).

We can't run fast, so we built transportation.

Before transportation, though, we ran as fast as we needed to or we otherwise accounted for the lack of speed.

We can't stay under water for long periods of time or move too quickly through it. Thus we've got sail boats, jet skis, scuba gear and submarines.

But before these things existed, we spent the time in the water that we needed to spend.

We can't see well at night. And we create light.

Before we created light sources, we relied on the moon and stars to light the night.

We can't withstand extreme temperatures so we create exoskeletons that regulate hot and cold.

Or do we simply manufacture coverings for ourselves?

Technology reproduces itself. The brick is a very useful bit of technology. How many of those are there?

Does the technology reproduce itself or does the reproduction require a human agent.

Con: Technology isn't made up of living cells. Yes there is carbon in much of our technology but it's not alive so it cannot be biological.

True. Even if we allow for life that is not carbon-based (which, to my knowledge, has not been found to exist), technology is still not made up of living cells or living matter and, therefore, is not biological.

[treme]

Quote by: rez Are you being serious? The Theory of Evolution is a fact. There is no better explanation other then ToE. Humans explain everything with nature. Humans test everything against nature. It is the way things have been working every since people dropped the whole idea of explaining reality with supernatural constructs. People don't say their computer does not work because demons are inside it. People nowadays say their computer doesn't work because the CPU is having a problem processing the electricity...People don't use god to explain much about how reality works. People use natural explanations to explain how stuff works. We exist here naturally period. Now if you want to say we exist here unnaturally, then you can argue God put us here, but I could equally argue you that Alien race put us here.

Absolutely serious. Evolution is the key to all life. I added that part of the premise in an attempt to avoid arguments about whether evolution is fact or not. Yes it is. Absolutely fact. Undoubtedly fact.

[thrashee]

I don't think it's biological because it's not life. Shaped by, influenced by, made by biological needs doesn't mean it's biological, just that it's informed by biology.

As for natural...I suppose that depends on how literal you take what is "natural." Personally, I think that everything we see in reality is natural, meaning, it's of nature. Because to me, at least, nature equals reality...so if it's present in reality, it's "of nature".

[Chancellor]

Quote by: treme And even if it isn't biological, can technology be considered natural? I think so.

I think not. I think technology is an intrusion upon nature, a manipulation of nature, an exercise of dominion over nature.

[thrashee]

I think technology is an intrusion upon nature, a manipulation of nature, an exercise of dominion over nature.

I just don't understand this separation between tech and the natural world. If evolution is natural, isn't our gaining technology a part of evolution, and thus, natural? Where, exactly, did human beings start branching away from the natural order?

[Chancellor]

Quote by: thrashee I just don't understand this separation between tech and the natural world. If evolution is natural, isn't our gaining technology a part of evolution, and thus, natural? Where, exactly, did human beings start branching away from the natural order?

No, gaining technology is not part of evolution because technology is not an adaptation to the environment. Technology allows us to overcome our environment and, to an extent, manipulate it and exert a certain amount of control over it. Where did humans start branching away from the natural order? When they started using fire and invented the wheel.

[treme]

Quote by: Chancellor No. But the distance is different for every human and with the present cellular/digital phone technology certainly does not take such distance into consideration (one of the reasons I dislike cell phones).

But the Technology (Phone + Bluetooth Reciever, etc) must be able to receive sound from our mouths but limit the range so that environmental noise is at a minimum.

Quote by: Chancellor Is it really genes that determine how our bodies bend or something else?

There have been things that have shaped how our bodies bent over evolutionary time but those pressures have been recorded in the genetic code. Yes it's genetic.

Quote by: Chancellor How about if we stop trying to credit genes for this and credit human ingenuity. Otherwise, you reduce invention to the level of instinct and, frankly, I find such a notion offensive.

Ok fine so long as you at least credit genes for the human ingenuity.

Quote by: Chancellor Do genes really determine the wavelengths of light and the frequencies of sound. Does light have genes? Does sound have genes?

Genes don't determine the wavelengths of light. Genes determine which wavelengths we can see in the same way they determine which frequencies of sound bats can hear.

Quote by: Chancellor There is no genetic basis (unless it's a damaged gene) for the invention of SPAM (the meat product).

haha good one :)

Quote by: Chancellor Before transportation, though, we ran as fast as we needed to or we otherwise accounted for the lack of speed.

Yes they did. But there was also a pressure to move faster. This is the pressure that led to the evolutionary development of the saddle, ski, roller-skate and Hummer.

Quote by: Chancellor But before these things existed, we spent the time in the water that we needed to spend.

Yes and human ingenuity thought of ways to move faster through the water. More evolutionary change.

Quote by: Chancellor Before we created light sources, we relied on the moon and stars to light the night.

They still light the night. We've just evolved better light sources with the gene(s) responsible for human ingenuity :)

Quote by: Chancellor Or do we simply manufacture coverings for ourselves?

Yes kinda like a cell membrane :)

Quote by: Chancellor Does the technology reproduce itself or does the reproduction require a human agent.

It requires a human agent. Human agents require genes. Therefore technology requires genes :)

[treme]

Quote by: Chancellor No, gaining technology is not part of evolution because technology is not an adaptation to the environment. Technology allows us to overcome our environment and, to an extent, manipulate it and exert a certain amount of control over it. Where did humans start branching away from the natural order? When they started using fire and invented the wheel.

Scuba gear is an adaptation to an aquatic environment.

Quote by: Chancellor Technology allows us to overcome our environment and, to an extent, manipulate it and exert a certain amount of control over it.

Yes so do our hands and those are purely biological. Shouldn't what we build with them also be considered biological?

So something completely unnatural is coming from something that's completely natural? So are we supernatural?

[thrashee]

So...if a creature uses its environment to survive or improve, that's unnatural?

You do know, then, that scores of species in the animal kingdom should now be considered unnatural?

[treme]

Interesting link for those interested by this thread...

Brain network related to intelligence identified

[gallo]

No.

[Kuldeep]

Is Technology Biological?

No, Technology in general is not biological but, developed and used by biological species for their comfort and ease !!! However, some technologies are biological in nature, which are known as bio-technologies !!!!

[treme]

Quote by: gallo No.

Really? Why?

[treme]

Quote by: Kuldeep Is Technology Biological? No, Technology in general is not biological but, developed and used by biological species for their comfort and ease !!! However, some technologies are biological in nature, which are known as bio-technologies !!!!

Ok understood. But in your opinion can technology be thought of as an evolutionary adaptation? Or is the last evolutionary adaptation the actual intelligence that leads to technology? I personally find that hard to believe.

I believe that our "self awareness", our ability to know that we know, is just a step. Right now there is a mental divide between what is "natural" and what is "human" or "techological". I believe the next step in that process is to awaken to the fact that each individual human is part of something bigger than any individual human.

[Osborn F Enready]

Evolution is natures technology, man is simply a product of evolution that has the most natural ability to facillitate external technology (as opposed to internal genes), due to the capacity for reason in humans(internal evolutionary technology), combined with the opposable thumbs(external evolutionary technology).