Technophilia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Technophilia is, in its simplest definition, a strong enthusiasm for technology, especially newer technologies such as computers, the Internet, cell phones and home theater. It is not currently considered a psychological condition or a disorder, but is used in sociology when examining the interaction of individuals with their society, especially contrasted with technophobia. ^{[citation needed]}

The idea of technophilia, used occasionally in the critical theory of society, describes the new forms of enthusiasm for new technologies and technological innovations.

[edit] Extremes

Technophilia and technophobia are the two extremes of the relationship between technology and society. The latter regards technology as destructive because it leads to a process of dehumanization and believes social reliance on technology is harmful. The former is a positive relationship, adopting technology enthusiastically, seeing it as a means to improve personal life and combat social problems. Transhumanism is sometimes considered to be the most advanced form of technophilia, as its adherents work towards a future in which technology will allow us to replace human beings entirely, through one means or another.

[edit] Historical

Spanish sociologist Manuel Castells has examined the changed interactions between technology and the society in his writings about the Information Age.^{[citation needed]}