In broad terms, technology is the practical application of knowledge in a particular discipline. More commonly the word is used loosely to designate either computer science or natural science technologies, and even more narrowly to specify information and communication technology.

Technology has successfully evolved to mean mechanical, electrical and now digital know-how. Note that each emerging technology enables the next development in technology. One tends to forget the interconnection and interdependence of the evolving nature of technology until one is rudely reminded that an hard disk crash is a mechanical failure that lames all of the digital wizardry.

It is important to keep in mind when talking about technology that our present usage is rather narrow in scope and thus limiting in perspective. Technology is an heterogeneous and broad term that only gains tangible meaning within the context of a specific discipline, application or purpose. Strictly speaking technology is the systematic treatment and practical application of an art or field of scholarly or philosophical endeavor.

Now imagine that what is now emergent within the web and society is a technology of relationships. What would that mean?

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