How Is Technology Part of Nature

Share This Article

Subscribe to our newsletter.

So, we’re diving into the question of whether technology is natural, or if it’s something separate [1]. It’s a deep question, and there are different ways to look at it.

The Argument for Technology as Natural:

Even the most complex technologies, like smartphones or Bitcoin, are made from materials found in nature [2]. They’re essentially just rearranged atoms and molecules.
Humans have always manipulated nature, from making fire to planting crops. Technology is just a continuation of that, an evolution of our drive to shape the world [2].
Early technologies like agriculture are now considered natural parts of life. The same could happen with today’s groundbreaking technologies [3].
For example, the birth control pill, invented in 1960, has become so ingrained in our lives that it’s hard to imagine life without it, raising questions about how our perception of “natural” changes over time [3, 4].

The Counter Argument:

Technology has real, negative effects on the planet, like pollution and resource depletion [4].
Spending hours looking at screens doesn’t feel natural [5].
There’s a tension between technology’s benefits and its negative impacts.

Categorising Technology:

Rather than lumping all technologies together, we might categorise them as good, bad, or a middle ground based on their impact and how we use them [5].
The middle ground includes technologies that enhance our well-being and help us connect with nature, such as meditation apps or using technology for remote work and travel [6].
“Good” technologies include AI and renewable energy, which have the potential to solve world problems and 3D printing [7].
“Bad” technologies include deep fakes and other technologies that can be easily misused, including cyber warfare [7].
It’s not always clear cut; many technologies, like AI, have the potential for both good and bad [7, 8].

Technology is Always Evolving:

Technology is constantly evolving, and what seems revolutionary or scary today might be commonplace tomorrow [9].
In the early days of the internet, there were a lot of fears and uncertainty, but we adapted and found ways to make it a part of our lives [10].
Our relationship with technology is not static; it’s dynamic and ever-changing [11].

Conceptual Technologies:

It’s worth considering conceptual technologies such as language and maths, and how they fit into this debate [12].
These tools are used to interact with the world, but they are not physical objects [12].

Personal Responsibility:

We need to be mindful of how we use technology in our daily lives [13].
Every choice we make, from notifications to apps we download, reflects our stance on the relationship between technology and nature [13].
We need to make conscious decisions about how we integrate technology into our lives [14].
It’s about finding a balance, not about rejecting technology or going back to some idealised past [15, 16].

The Importance of Ongoing Discussion:

The discussion about technology and nature isn’t about finding a single answer but about challenging assumptions and perspectives [17].
The line between technology and nature is more blurred than we think [17].
We should approach things with curiosity and critical thinking, considering both the benefits and the potential downsides of technology [18].
We are not passive bystanders but active participants in shaping the future with every choice we make [19].

Ultimately, it’s about finding ways to innovate and create while also respecting the natural world and our place within it [16].

Technology is often perceived as the opposite of nature and the notion of having a natural life. Indeed, technology has been a major factor in destroying nature, and, in the past decades, it has been an integral factor in pushing mankind away from living a form of life that is closer to nature. After all, talking on the phone, looking at the screen, using GPS, finding relationships online, and making transactions online – these are not exactly activities connected to living naturally.

But there’s another side to this argument—those who believe that technology is part of nature. As a matter of fact, they believe technology is nature. And there are lots of ways to look at this argument.

Table of Contents

So, why is technology actually part of nature?

So, what is the logic behind the idea that technology is part of nature?

Well, according to that belief, everything is part of nature. For example, iPhone is a product that was completely made out of natural products, and as such, it is part of nature. Even the most controversial financial product, Bitcoin, is essentially part of nature.

In other words, technology is created by people with materials and substances that are extracted from the earth. Another example is plastic, which is clearly synthetic. However, plastic has origins in nature, and if you assume that a man-made creation is natural, it basically means plastic is also part of nature. In that sense, mobile phones, TVs, cars/autonomous cars, virtual reality, computers, and, of course, Bitcoin – these are all part of nature.

So, in a nutshell, the idea of this theory is that technology becomes part of nature. Any technology gradually integrates into modern aspects, reaching the point where it then becomes part of nature. Cooking, for instance, was a revolutionary technological invention. Can you think of cooking as something that is not natural?

Technology and nature in daily life – The good, the bad, and the middle

Generally speaking, technology is a vague concept since it covers a wide range of aspects and tools. Making fire, for instance, is a technological development that, at some point, has changed the way humans can operate.

We can, therefore, say that technology is not just the creation and development of equipment, machinery, and software – but it can also be any new application used by scientific knowledge in order to develop practical human solutions.

Let’s take a look at medical technology, which has transformed every aspect of our lives throughout history. A good example is birth control pills. Invented in 1960, the birth control pill has completely revolutionized the way people interact in relationships and shaped the form of our lives as we live today. And, of course, it changed sex.

The invention of the automobile has also completely changed the world since people could easily travel and relocate. Cars have also changed the family structure and, to some degree, ‘destroyed’ the idea of community.

And there are endless examples of how technological inventions have changed the world, for good or bad. Some, like satellites orbiting the Earth, are controversial. This technology, for instance, has so many benefits, but it clearly messes up the space by placing these non-aesthetic machines.

So, in short, as we can learn from history, technological developments, even if not accepted at first, can make their way to mainstream acceptance. Credit cards were originally invented in the late 19th century, but people started using them in the 1950s. It takes time for new things to grow, especially when it contradicts nature and the natural feeling of doing something we are already used to.

Below, we mention some of the most neutral technology developments, technologies that may have a good impact, and those that can be harmful to humanity and nature. Note, however, that each technology might be viewed as revolutionary while at the same time, can be perceived as a huge threat.

The Middle – The balance between nature and technology

Being in the middle is the best place to be. Yes, technology can be good or bad, but it can also be a perfect bridge for people to find nature in their not-so-natural lives.

For instance, meditation applications have become very trendy in recent years. Sleep and relaxation apps have also helped many people find this tiny feeling of nature inside a lot of noise. Music, for consumers and producers, is being adapted almost perfectly to technological developments. The evolution of digital nomads in recent years is also a positive phenomenon that can free people from the conventional 9-5 work day.

To come to the point, any application, platform, and technological development that has no direct impact on nature and can serve as a bridge for ‘the average Joe’ to become more nature-friendly is the middle and the balance between technology and nature.

The good – New technologies that can change the future

Many will argue that technology is more good than bad. Over time, the impact of technology has overcome the harness. After all, we live longer and healthier, and we have really cool stuff to keep us entertained.

So, with that in mind, here are some of the new technologies that can positively impact the future – Artificial intelligence, 3D printers, solar energy, nature tech, Bitcoin, autonomous cars, blockchain, quantum computing, machine learning, virtual reality, green tech, Internet of Things (IoT), and many more.

The bad – Dangerous technologies of the future

So, undoubtedly, there are plenty of technological inventions that have moderately become part of nature. But we are forward-thinking, and with all respect to the inventions above, it seems like humanity is currently facing a new type of technology. One that could also pose a threat to mankind and nature.

Some of those dangerous technological developments include Artificial Intelligence, cyber warfare, smart drones, deepfake technology, Smart Dust, and fake bots.

Is technology part of nature – Yes and no

Clearly, this is a philosophical question whose answer is subjective to one’s belief. At the end of the day, technology is part of nature but also contradicts any pure form of natural life.

Perhaps the real question these days is how to find a balance between technology and nature. Technology is here to stay, and so is nature, and as such, people must find, as a society and as individuals, the perfect balance for not destroying nature and the purest form of human interaction while using technological tools to improve the world.

It’s easier said than done, but I guess it must be done…