Technology is both a helper and a hindrance. It is used to classify us into the primitive and the modern, the have's and the have not's. It defines how advanced we are in comparison to other societies. It even plays a role in our relationships with one another.
Technology, the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, is the basis used to define you or your societies status in the world. For instance, a society with basic technology such as the indigenous tribes of Africa or South America is considered primitive while society with the newest technology such as the US, UK or Japan is considered advanced, modern. Also technology not only divides whole societies accordingly but also its individual members. In modern society the higher you are on the social ladder the more technology you have. In example the US. Superstars have every luxury and accommodation of the most current technology, custom cars and planes. The newest and largest homes and the most advanced entertainment centers, while the middle-working class has the mass produced streamline technology, Factory assembly-line cars and medium sized homes. .
The divisions that technology sets doesn't stop at social classes either. Technology also defines the roles and structure of families and friendships. The younger individuals such as pre-pubescent children are not exposed to anything above a basic technological level while teens and adults are exposed to the most advanced technologies. Though adults are the only ones allowed to use most of this technology. This keeps the family stratified through technology by age.
Another effect technology has on us is dependence. Our society as a whole is almost completely dependent on technology. Rarely do you see people walk somewhere if they have the choice to drive their or writing by hand when it can be typed on the computer. Technology has us under it's control. Our every day activities depend on the technology working properly.
