Human Culture and its Effects on Technology Essay

Human Culture and its Effects on Technology A fluid border exists between the influences of culture and technology on the environment. Culture is generally defined as the predominating modes of thinking and behaving that characterize the workings of a group, while technology is the collection of knowledge available to a society that aids it in crafting tools, practicing arts and skills, and extracting or accumulating materials. In some instances, a peoples culture drives its pursuit of more highly advanced technologies, while in other cases the implementation of newfound technology alters and shapes culture. These relationships are clearly visible throughout the course of human history. This paper focuses on the effects of early human†¦show more content†¦One recognized example of cultures influence on early technology is Easter Island, the remote 150 square-mile island located in the Pacific Ocean. Because crop cultivation required relatively little effort, the clans of Easter Island had much free time to direct towa rd ceremonial, religious activities. The ahu and accompanying carved statues, weighing tens of tons and of about twenty feet in length, were important to the social structure of Easter Island (Ponting 4). Though their exact purpose is not entirely known, it can be ascertained that they were of religious significance and acted as indicators of status. The carving of these statues required some sophistication of tools, but their transport was the area in which the people of Easter Island especially advanced technology. Tree trunks were used as rollers to move the statues across the island, representing an innovation created because of the effects of religion. Religion, throughout the course of much of human history, has played a large role in the construction of edifices, ranging from public spaces to temples to tombs. 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