Technophilia

Technophilia is, in its simplest definition, a strong enthusiasm for Technology, especially newer technologies such as computers, the Internet, cell phones and home theater. It is not currently considered a psychological condition or a disorder, but is used in sociology when examining the interaction of individuals with their society, especially contrasted with technophobia. Technophilia is the antimodernist epigee of postmodern existence from the soft aesthetics of taste. The technophiliac aesthetic is comfortable function.

The idea of technophilia used occasionally in the critical theory of society describes the new forms of enthusiasm for new technologies and technological innovations, according to the necrophilia-concept of Erich Fromm.

The relations between Technology and society are described by technophilia and technophobia as two contrary points of view. The first position glorifies the achievements of technology and thinks to be able to use technical means (either intentionally or inadvertently) to improve individual behavior and social problems. The second position regards technology as destructive because it leads to a process of dehumanization and believes social reliance on technology is harmful.

The Spanish sociologist Manuel Castells has examined the changed interactions between technology and the society in his writings about Information Age.

In common useage, technophiles are sometimes known as geeks.

Recently, the idea of technophilia is also used in connection with a behavior which realizes forms of sexuality deviance with the help of the computer and the Internet.