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Technology is defined exclusively as the application of scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source defines technology more broadly as the application of conceptual knowledge to achieve practical goals in a reproducible manner, encompassing both tangible and intangible products, not exclusively scientific knowledge.
The etymological root of 'technology' suggests a focus solely on mechanical arts.
Answer: False
Explanation: The etymological roots of 'technology' from Greek 'technologia' (derived from 'tekhnē' meaning craft or art, and 'logia' meaning study or knowledge) indicate a broader scope than solely mechanical arts, encompassing the systematic study and application of craft and knowledge.
Stone tools, dating back approximately two million years, are considered the earliest known technology developed by hominids.
Answer: True
Explanation: The earliest known technology developed by hominids is the stone tool, with evidence dating back approximately two million years.
The control of fire allowed early humans to preserve food indefinitely, preventing spoilage.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the control of fire significantly improved food digestibility and nutrition, it did not allow for indefinite preservation, as spoilage remains a factor.
The 'cooking hypothesis' posits that cooking food was essential for the development of larger hominid brains due to increased nutrient availability.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'cooking hypothesis' posits that cooking food enhanced nutrient availability and digestibility, potentially contributing to the development of larger hominid brains, though the evidence is debated.
Clothing and shelter were developed primarily to improve the aesthetics of early human settlements.
Answer: False
Explanation: Clothing and shelter were developed as crucial adaptations for survival and migration into colder climates, primarily for protection and warmth, not for aesthetic purposes.
According to the source, what is the fundamental definition of technology?
Answer: The application of conceptual knowledge for practical goals in a reproducible way.
Explanation: The source defines technology as the application of conceptual knowledge to achieve practical goals in a reproducible manner, encompassing both the process and the resulting tangible or intangible products.
Which of the following is mentioned as an intangible product of technology?
Answer: Software
Explanation: Software is mentioned as an example of an intangible product of technology, alongside tangible products like tools, machines, and utensils.
What does the etymology of 'technology' (from Greek 'technologia') emphasize?
Answer: The knowledge and systematic study of craft or art ('tekhnē' and 'logia').
Explanation: The etymology of 'technology' from Greek 'technologia' emphasizes the knowledge and systematic study of craft or art ('tekhnē' and 'logia').
How did the meaning of 'technology' evolve historically, according to the text?
Answer: It evolved from 'systematic treatment' in the 17th century to encompass 'ways of doing' and the study of methods by the 19th century.
Explanation: Historically, the meaning of 'technology' evolved from 'systematic treatment' in the 17th century to encompass 'ways of doing' and the study of methods by the 19th century, broadening its scope beyond initial definitions.
What is identified as the earliest known technology developed by hominids?
Answer: Stone tools
Explanation: Stone tools, dating back approximately two million years, are identified as the earliest known technology developed by hominids.
Which of the following is a significant consequence of the control of fire for early humans, as mentioned in the text?
Answer: Improved food digestibility and nutrition
Explanation: The control of fire significantly improved food digestibility and nutrition, contributing to increased nutrient availability for early humans.
What technological adaptation was crucial for early humans migrating into colder climates?
Answer: Development of clothing and shelter
Explanation: The development of clothing and shelter was crucial for early humans migrating into colder climates, providing essential protection and enabling survival.
The Neolithic Revolution was characterized by a decline in technological innovation and a shift back to nomadic lifestyles.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Neolithic Revolution was characterized by a significant acceleration in technological innovation and the adoption of sedentary lifestyles due to agriculture, not a decline or a return to nomadic living.
Agriculture enabled larger populations by making it easier for families to move frequently with young children.
Answer: False
Explanation: Agriculture enabled larger populations by facilitating sedentary living, which made it easier to care for more children, rather than enabling frequent movement with young children.
The Bronze Age saw the initial smelting of native metals like copper and gold.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Bronze Age is characterized by the development and widespread use of bronze alloys, while the initial smelting of native metals like copper and gold occurred earlier, during the Neolithic period.
Ancient Roman technological achievements included advanced sanitation systems but lacked sophisticated water transport.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ancient Roman technological achievements included sophisticated sanitation systems and advanced water transport, such as extensive aqueducts, contradicting the assertion that they lacked sophisticated water transport.
The invention of the movable type printing press occurred during the Middle Ages.
Answer: False
Explanation: The invention of the movable type printing press occurred during the Renaissance, not the Middle Ages.
The Industrial Revolution was primarily driven by advancements in digital computing.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Industrial Revolution was primarily driven by advancements in steam power and mechanization, not by digital computing, which emerged much later.
The Second Industrial Revolution was characterized by the widespread adoption of steam power and factory systems.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Second Industrial Revolution was characterized by innovations like electricity and the automobile. The widespread adoption of steam power and factory systems primarily defined the First Industrial Revolution.
The Great Divergence refers to the period when Western Europe gained technological and economic advantages over other regions.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Great Divergence refers to the historical period when Western Europe gained significant technological and economic advantages over other global regions.
Early jet engines were developed primarily based on complete, pre-existing scientific understanding.
Answer: False
Explanation: Early jet engines were developed through extensive experimentation and iterative refinement, often involving trial and error, rather than solely based on complete, pre-existing scientific understanding.
The Neolithic Revolution is associated with which major technological shift?
Answer: The shift to agriculture and sedentary living
Explanation: The Neolithic Revolution is associated with the major technological shift to agriculture and sedentary living, marking a significant acceleration in innovation.
How did agriculture impact population growth during the Neolithic period?
Answer: It allowed for larger populations because sedentary living made it easier to care for more children.
Explanation: Agriculture enabled larger populations during the Neolithic period because sedentary living made it easier to care for and raise more children, who could also contribute labor.
What key technology, introduced to Europe during the Renaissance, significantly improved knowledge communication?
Answer: The movable type printing press
Explanation: The movable type printing press, introduced to Europe during the Renaissance, significantly improved the communication and dissemination of knowledge.
What was the primary energy source driving the First Industrial Revolution?
Answer: Coal and steam power
Explanation: Coal and steam power were the primary energy sources driving the First Industrial Revolution, leading to widespread mechanization and factory systems.
Which of these innovations is NOT typically associated with the Second Industrial Revolution, based on the text?
Answer: The steam engine
Explanation: The steam engine was a defining technology of the First Industrial Revolution. Innovations like electric motors, automobiles, and airplanes are typically associated with the Second Industrial Revolution.
The transistor's invention led to the miniaturization of electronic components, enabling the digital age.
Answer: True
Explanation: The invention of the transistor was a pivotal development that enabled the miniaturization of electronic components, paving the way for the digital age and smaller, more powerful computers.
Cryptocurrency theft is cited as an example of security concerns related to modern digital financial systems.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cryptocurrency theft and laundering are cited as examples of security and transparency concerns associated with modern digital financial systems.
Ensuring AI alignment with human values is a key ethical consideration discussed in the article.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ensuring AI alignment with human values is identified as a critical ethical consideration in the development and deployment of advanced artificial intelligence systems.
Leapfrogging in technology means developing countries are stuck using outdated technologies.
Answer: False
Explanation: Leapfrogging in technology refers to developing regions adopting advanced technologies while skipping older stages, enabling rapid progress, rather than being stuck with outdated technologies.
Dematerialization in technology refers to the increasing use of physical materials in digital products.
Answer: False
Explanation: Dematerialization in technology refers to a shift towards products and services relying less on physical materials, often through digitalization or increased efficiency, not an increase in the use of physical materials.
What impact did the invention of the transistor have on computing?
Answer: It enabled significant miniaturization, leading to smaller and more powerful computers.
Explanation: The invention of the transistor was a pivotal development that enabled the miniaturization of electronic components, paving the way for the digital age and smaller, more powerful computers.
Which of the following is NOT listed as an emerging technology?
Answer: The steam engine
Explanation: The steam engine is a foundational technology from earlier eras, not typically listed among emerging technologies like nanotechnology, AI, or blockchain.
In the context of technology studies, what does 'leapfrogging' refer to?
Answer: Developing regions adopting advanced technologies while skipping older stages.
Explanation: 'Leapfrogging' in technological development refers to developing regions adopting advanced technologies while bypassing intermediate stages, enabling rapid progress.
What does the concept of 'dematerialization' in technology studies imply?
Answer: A shift towards products and services relying less on physical materials.
Explanation: Dematerialization in technology implies a trend towards products and services that rely less on physical materials, often through digitalization or increased efficiency.
Technological change is considered a minor factor in long-term economic growth.
Answer: False
Explanation: Technological change is identified as the primary driver of long-term economic growth, not a minor factor.
According to the source, advanced technologies like AI are guaranteed to create more jobs than they eliminate.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source indicates that advanced technologies like AI may not necessarily create more jobs than they eliminate, raising concerns about potential technological unemployment and wage impacts.
Technological advancements have exclusively positive impacts on the environment.
Answer: False
Explanation: Technological advancements have complex environmental impacts, often leading to increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, rather than exclusively positive effects.
Technological determinism suggests that society shapes technology based on cultural needs.
Answer: False
Explanation: Technological determinism posits that technology drives societal change, whereas the social construction of technology argues that society shapes technology based on cultural needs and other factors.
Technological utopianism is the belief that technology will inevitably lead to societal collapse.
Answer: False
Explanation: Technological utopianism is the belief that technology will lead to an ideal society, not societal collapse; the latter is often associated with dystopian views.
Luddism is an example of an anti-technology movement focused on protesting automation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Luddism is indeed an example of an anti-technology movement focused on protesting automation and its perceived negative impacts on labor.
Cyberpunk is a genre that typically portrays technology leading to utopian societal outcomes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Cyberpunk is a genre that typically portrays technology leading to dystopian or complex societal outcomes, often juxtaposed with societal decay, rather than purely utopian ones.
Techno-progressivism advocates for limiting technological advancement to preserve traditional values.
Answer: False
Explanation: Techno-progressivism advocates for leveraging technological advancement to improve society and overcome limitations, rather than limiting advancement to preserve traditional values.
What is identified as the main driver of long-term economic growth?
Answer: Technological change
Explanation: Technological change is identified as the primary driver of long-term economic growth, significantly influencing productivity and prosperity.
Which of the following is cited as a negative environmental impact of technology?
Answer: Increased greenhouse gas emissions
Explanation: Increased greenhouse gas emissions and pollution are cited as negative environmental impacts resulting from technological advancements, contributing to global warming.
What is the core belief of 'technological utopianism'?
Answer: Technological progress is inherently good and can create an ideal society.
Explanation: Technological utopianism is the belief that technological progress is inherently good and can lead to an ideal society, often envisioning radical positive transformations.
Which historical movement is mentioned as an example of an 'anti-technology backlash'?
Answer: The Luddites
Explanation: The Luddites, who protested against automation in the textile industry, are mentioned as a historical example of an 'anti-technology backlash'.
Technoscience refers to the complete separation of scientific research from technological application.
Answer: False
Explanation: Technoscience describes the integration where science drives technology and technology drives science, rather than a complete separation of research from application.
Nassim Taleb argues that focusing solely on specific outcomes leads to the most useful technological innovations.
Answer: False
Explanation: Nassim Taleb argues that approaches embracing serendipity and convexity, through frequent trial and error, are more likely to yield useful innovations than those focused solely on specific, predetermined outcomes.
Tool use by chimpanzees and dam construction by beavers are examples of technology observed in non-human animals.
Answer: True
Explanation: Tool use by chimpanzees and dam construction by beavers are indeed examples of technology observed in non-human animals, demonstrating complex behaviors beyond simple instinct.
The vulnerable world hypothesis suggests that advanced technology makes civilization less susceptible to catastrophic risks.
Answer: False
Explanation: The vulnerable world hypothesis suggests that advanced technology increases civilization's susceptibility to catastrophic risks, rather than making it inherently safer.
Futures studies aim to predict the exact technological advancements of the next century.
Answer: False
Explanation: Futures studies aim to explore plausible future scenarios and guide decision-making, rather than predict exact technological advancements with certainty.
Appropriate technology emphasizes large-scale, centralized technological solutions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Appropriate technology emphasizes locally autonomous, sustainable, and decentralized solutions, contrasting with large-scale, centralized approaches.
The philosophy of technology primarily focuses on the technical specifications of devices.
Answer: False
Explanation: The philosophy of technology examines the nature, creation, and societal/cultural impact of technology, moving beyond a primary focus on technical specifications.
Actor-network theory (ANT) focuses exclusively on the role of human actors in technological development.
Answer: False
Explanation: Actor-network theory (ANT) analyzes how both human and non-human elements form networks that shape technological development and its social implications, not exclusively human actors.
The 'hype cycle' describes a linear progression of technological adoption without setbacks.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'hype cycle' describes the pattern of over-enthusiasm and subsequent disappointment in technology adoption, involving phases and setbacks, not a linear progression.
A 'reverse salient' occurs when one part of a technology significantly outpaces the rest, hindering progress.
Answer: True
Explanation: A 'reverse salient' occurs when one component of a technology lags significantly behind others, hindering overall progress, necessitating focused development to address the bottleneck.
Patents citing scientific literature are generally considered less valuable than those that do not.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source indicates that patents citing scientific literature are generally considered more valuable, reflecting a growing synergy between scientific discovery and technological innovation.
Citizen science involves professional scientists conducting research in the field.
Answer: False
Explanation: Citizen science involves the participation of the general public in scientific research, not professional scientists conducting research in the field.
What does 'technoscience' describe?
Answer: The integration where science drives technology and technology drives science.
Explanation: 'Technoscience' describes the integration where scientific research is increasingly driven by technological applications and vice versa, representing a symbiotic relationship.
How does the source describe the relationship between patents and scientific literature?
Answer: Scientific literature is becoming increasingly cited in patents, indicating a synergy.
Explanation: The source indicates that patents citing scientific literature are generally considered more valuable, reflecting a growing synergy between scientific discovery and technological innovation.
What does the 'vulnerable world hypothesis' suggest about advanced technology?
Answer: It increases civilization's susceptibility to catastrophic risks.
Explanation: The 'vulnerable world hypothesis' suggests that advanced technology increases civilization's susceptibility to catastrophic risks, rather than making it inherently safer.
What is the primary focus of the 'philosophy of technology'?
Answer: The nature, creation, and societal/cultural impact of technology.
Explanation: The philosophy of technology primarily focuses on the nature, creation, and societal/cultural impact of technology, rather than purely technical aspects like design or manufacturing efficiency.