One other difference, I think, is that most of the words Poerkson calls “plastic” are words that have a narrow scientific meaning but are molded and shaped to fit a broad range of contexts without ever being well defined. “Technology” seems to have the opposite problem: it’s got a very broad (though precise) meaning, but is usually applied in more specific contexts.

Another important characteristic of a plastic word, according to Poerkson, is that “the speaker lacks the power to define the word.” I think that, if pressed, most speakers could define what they mean by “technology” (again, as opposed to “development,” “resource,” or “communication”), but their definitions might not all have been the same, and they might not have had an appreciation of the richness of the word’s possible range of meaning.

Of course, the most interesting thing about Poerkson’s plastic words for a future “information professional” is that the one he devotes the most time examining is that pearl “information.” I can hardly contain my glee at reading his description of my supposed object of study as “what one has always just missed.”

More on this, I think, in a future post…

The OAD definition is certainly better than the conflation of high-tech with technology, but it is also very narrow. Technologies existed long before science. My OAD defines “technology” as “the study or use of the mechanical arts and applied sciences,” which seems much more inclusive, especially temporally. I find it interesting that it says nothing about a technology vs. technology as a field of study. English is weird this way.

The OED is better on this. It also says, “With a and pl. A particular practical or industrial art.”

I can’t think of any specific sources at the moment (not so healthy lately) but many historians/philosophers of technology consider anything from beer-making to writing systems to marking one’s way along a route to be technologies. I have to agree. This, though, is not why I suggest the term ought to be added to Poerkson’s list, but due to its rampant misuse in many arenas just like the rest of the words on his list.

Thanks for another thoughtful post.