Editing Appropriate technology (section)

==Terminology==
Appropriate technology frequently serves as an umbrella term for a variety names for this type of technology. Frequently these terms are used interchangeably; however, the use of one term over another can indicate the specific focus, [[bias]] or agenda of the technological choice in question. Though the original name for the concept now known as appropriate technology, "intermediate technology" is now often considered a subset of appropriate technology that focuses on technology that is more productive than "inefficient" traditional technologies, but less costly than the technology of industrialized societies.<ref name=evans>{{cite book|title=Appropriate Technology in Third World Development|year=1984|publisher=Greenwood Press|location=London|isbn=0-313-24150-3|author=Evans, D.D.|author-link=Appropriate Technology and Its Role|editor=Ghosh, P. K.|page=[https://archive.org/details/appropriatetechn0000unse_s1f1/page/40 40]|url=https://archive.org/details/appropriatetechn0000unse_s1f1/page/40}}</ref> Other types of technology under the appropriate technology umbrella include:

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Capital-saving technology
* Mid-tech
* Labor-intensive technology
* Alternate technology
* Self-help technology
* Village-level technology
* Community technology
* Progressive technology
* Indigenous technology
* People's technology
* Light-engineering technology
* Adaptive technology
* Light-capital technology
* Soft technology
{{div col end}}

A variety of competing definitions exist in academic literature and organization and government policy papers for each of these terms.<ref name="OECD"/><ref name=evans /><ref name=jackson>{{cite book|title=Appropriate Technology in Third World Development|year=1984|publisher=Greenwood Press|location=London|isbn=0-313-24150-3|author=Jackson, S.|author-link=Economically Appropriate Technologies|editor=Ghosh, P.K.|page=[https://archive.org/details/appropriatetechn0000unse_s1f1/page/76 76]|url=https://archive.org/details/appropriatetechn0000unse_s1f1/page/76}}</ref> However, the general consensus is appropriate technology encompasses the ideas represented by the above list. Furthermore, the use of one term over another in referring to an appropriate technology can indicate ideological bias or emphasis on particular economic or social variables. Some terms inherently emphasize the importance of increased employment and labor utilization (such as labor-intensive or capital-saving technology), while others may emphasize the importance of human development (such as self-help and people's technology).<ref name=evans />

It is also possible to distinguish between ''hard'' and ''soft'' technologies. According to Dr. [[Maurice Albertson]] and Audrey Faulkner, appropriate ''hard'' technology is "engineering techniques, physical structures, and machinery that meet a need defined by a community, and utilize the material at hand or readily available. It can be built, operated and maintained by the local people with very limited outside assistance (''e.g.'', technical, material, or financial). it is usually related to an economic goal."<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Pearce | first1 = Joshua M. | year = 2007 | title = Teaching Physics Using Appropriate Technology Projects | url = http://scitation.aip.org/getabs/servlet/GetabsServlet?prog=normal&id=PHTEAH000045000003000164000001&idtype=cvips&gifs=yes| journal = The Physics Teacher | volume = 45 | issue = 3| pages = 164–167 | doi=10.1119/1.2709675| bibcode = 2007PhTea..45..164P }}</ref>

Albertson and Faulkner consider appropriate ''soft'' technology as technology that deals with "the social structures, human interactive processes, and motivation techniques. It is the structure and process for social participation and action by individuals and groups in analyzing situations, making choices and engaging in choice-implementing behaviors that bring about change."<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Faulkner | first1 = A. O. | last2 = Albertson | first2 = M. L. | year = 1986 | title = Tandem use of Hard and Soft Technology: an Evolving Model for Third World Village Development | journal = International Journal of Applied Engineering Education | volume = 2 | issue = 2| pages = 127–137 }}</ref>

A closely related concept is ''social technology'', defined as "products, techniques and/or re-applicable methodologies developed in the interaction with the community and that must represent effective solution in terms of social transformation".<ref>{{cite book | last1=Smith | first1=Adrian | last2=Fressoli | first2=Mariano | last3=Abrol | first3=Dinesh | last4=Arond | first4=Elisa | last5=Ely | first5=Adrian | title=Grassroots Innovation Movements | publisher=Routledge | date=2016-08-25 | isbn=978-1-317-45119-8 | doi=10.4324/9781315697888 | page=| url=https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/20.500.12657/52757/1/9781317451198.pdf }}</ref> Further, Kostakis et al.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kostakis|first1=Vasilis|last2=Pazaitis|first2=Alex|last3=Liarokapis|first3=Minas|date=2023-06-20|title=Beyond high-tech versus low-tech: A tentative framework for sustainable urban data governance|journal=BigData&Society|volume=10 |doi=10.1177/20539517231180583 |language=en|issn=2053-9517|doi-access=free}}</ref> propose a mid-tech approach to distinguish between low-tech and hi-tech polarities. Inspired by E.F. Schumacher, they argue that mid-tech could be understood as an inclusive middle that may go beyond the two polarities, combining the efficiency and versatility of digital/automated technology with low-tech's potential for autonomy and resilience.