Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

Technology (broad meaning)

The set of tools, methods, and systems humans create to solve problems and make daily life more efficient (not just devices like phones or apps).

Science

A process for producing reliable knowledge about the world through observation, research, and experimentation.

Discovery

Finding something that already exists in nature or reality, often leading to new knowledge and unexpected possibilities.

Invention

Creating something new (a tool, device, or method) designed to meet a need or solve a problem.

Leonardo da Vinci

Italian Renaissance figure known for innovative designs and studies, including ideas related to human flight and advanced machines.

Galileo Galilei

Scientist who revolutionized astronomy through observation and the use of instruments, especially the telescope.

Telescope (Galileo’s use)

Optical instrument used to observe space; Galileo’s observations helped transform understanding of the universe.

Alessandro Volta

Italian scientist associated with major advances in electricity during the Enlightenment era.

Voltaic pile (electric battery)

Early electric battery invented by Volta; a foundational step for modern energy and electrical technology.

Internet

A global communication and information system that began as a military project in the 1960s and became central to modern life.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Computer systems that learn from data and perform tasks that seem “intelligent,” such as diagnosing illness or automating industrial processes.

AI bias

Unfair or distorted outcomes produced when AI systems reflect and amplify human prejudices present in their training data.

Green technologies

Technologies designed to reduce environmental impact, such as advanced solar panels or automated recycling systems.

Renewable energy

Energy from sources that replenish naturally (e.g., solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal), reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Solar energy (Italy examples)

Renewable energy from sunlight; widely used in Italy, especially in sunny regions like Puglia and Sicily.

Wind energy (Italy examples)

Renewable energy produced by turbines; common in windy areas such as Sardinia and Basilicata.

Hydroelectric power (Italy examples)

Electricity generated from moving water; major plants in Northern Italy, especially in the Alps.

Geothermal energy (Larderello)

Energy from Earth’s internal heat; Italy is a global reference, with major facilities in Tuscany (e.g., Larderello).

Enel Green Power

Italian renewable-energy company (founded 2008, based in Rome) operating in 30+ countries across solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power.

Sustainability

Meeting today’s needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs; includes questions of resources, pollution, access, and scalability.

E-waste (electronic waste)

Discarded electronic devices and components that require careful recycling and disposal to limit environmental harm.

Planned obsolescence

Designing products to wear out or become outdated quickly, encouraging frequent replacement and increasing waste.

Technological pollution

Environmental damage linked to technology’s lifecycle (resource extraction, manufacturing, energy use, disposal, and e-waste).

Digital communication

Communication through messaging, video calls, social platforms, and sharing tools that reshapes relationships and public life.

Social networks

Online spaces where users present themselves, interact through posts and feedback, and join communities (groups, hashtags, fandoms, activism).

Feedback metrics (likes/comments/shares)

Visible numerical signals on social media that can influence self-esteem and decision-making, especially for adolescents.

Digital identity

The set of information that represents a person online (profiles, photos, comments, and activity history).

Digital footprints

Traces of data left online—intentionally or unintentionally—through posts, clicks, tags, and app tracking.

Privacy (as a collective good)

Control over who can access and use personal data; important not only individually but socially (protects against manipulation and discrimination).

Big Data

Large-scale collections of personal and behavioral data analyzed to guide decisions, predictions, and targeting.

Profiling

Building a user profile from data to personalize content or advertising, shaping what people see and how they are influenced.

Cybersecurity

Practices that protect accounts and information (e.g., strong passwords, two-factor authentication, caution with suspicious links).

Digital dependence (excessive use)

Difficulty controlling time spent online or on a device, sometimes linked to anxiety without the phone and reduced focus.

Infinite scroll

A platform design feature that continuously loads content, making it harder to perceive time and stop using an app.

Media literacy (digital literacy for news)

The ability to evaluate who created a message, for what purpose, and how reliable it is—essential in a high-volume news environment.

Disinformation

False or misleading information that spreads through errors or intentional manipulation (propaganda), often boosted by emotional content and sharing.

Source verification

A practical method: identify the source, check date/context, compare with independent sources, and separate facts from opinions.

Sensational headline

An attention-grabbing title that may distort or exaggerate content to generate clicks and engagement.

Polarization

A social and political process where opinions split into opposing camps, often intensified online.

Echo chamber

An online environment where users mainly encounter ideas similar to their own, reinforcing beliefs and limiting exposure to other views.

Cyberbullying

Harassment or bullying carried out through digital tools; especially harmful for young people and often addressed through education and reporting systems.

Digital divide

Inequality in access to devices, reliable internet, and the skills needed to use technology effectively; often worse in rural areas than urban ones.

Digital literacy (skills)

The practical ability to use digital tools well (e.g., writing formal emails, managing files, evaluating sources), beyond simply owning devices.

Digital learning (didattica digitale)

Use of online platforms, video lessons, collaborative tools, and digital resources in education; effectiveness depends on teaching methods, not just devices.

Tool vs. tool use distinction

The idea that a device (like a tablet) is not automatically helpful; outcomes depend on how it is integrated and used.

Automation

Using machines or software to perform tasks previously done by people; can raise efficiency but changes job roles and skill needs.

Smart working (remote work)

Working from home or remotely using digital tools; offers flexibility but can blur work-life boundaries and increase isolation.

Right to disconnect

The principle that workers should not be expected to be constantly reachable outside working hours.

Telemedicine

Healthcare delivered at a distance via video visits and remote monitoring; improves access for remote or less mobile patients but requires secure data and reliable internet.

Bioethics

Ethical questions in medicine and biotechnology, including informed consent, equity of access, and protection of sensitive health/genetic data.