- Technophilia
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Technophilia refers generally to a strong enthusiasm for technology, especially new technologies such as personal computers, the Internet, mobile phones and home cinema. The term is used in sociology when examining the interaction of individuals with their society, especially contrasted with technophobia.
Technophilia and technophobia are the two extremes of the relationship between technology and society. The technophobe fears or dislikes technology, often regarding some or all technology with fear. This may be as a consequences of fear of change, a prior catastrophic experience with technology or because it may lead to a process of dehumanization. The technophile sees most or all technology as positive, adopting technology enthusiastically, and seeing it as a means to potentially improve life and combat social problems.
Transhumanism is sometimes considered to be the most ideological form of technophilia, as its adherents work towards a future in which technology will allow human beings to be physically and mentally enhanced, in order to better suit individual and social standard.
History
Pre-history
One of the earliest form of technophilia is fire worship, particularly following the control of fire by early humans in the Lower Paleolithic.
19th century
The 19th century saw increased interest in and awe for technology, due to the inventions of the Industrial revolution, and lead to forceful statements of technological determinism.
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