The 12 Axes of the Technology Spectrum

An ultra-fine-grained model adding dimensions of scale and relationship to human autonomy. Building on the 8 Axes, we add: Axis 9: Local-Global (operates in one place vs. everywhere). Axis 10: Synchronous-Asynchronous (real-time interaction vs. delayed). Axis 11: Voluntary-Enforcing (used by choice vs. imposed by systems). Axis 12: Empowering-Controlling (increases user agency vs. reduces it). These twelve axes generate 4096 technology-types. A hammer is local, synchronous, voluntary, empowering. A credit score is global, asynchronous, enforcing, controlling. Social credit systems are designed for the enforcing-controlling quadrant. The 12 Axes reveal that technologies aren't just tools—they're relationships, and those relationships have politics built into their very structure.

The 12 Axes of the Technology Spectrum "You think the problem with facial recognition is just privacy. The 12 Axes show it's deeper: it's soft, industrial (mostly), replacing (of anonymity), opaque, centralized, exploitative, ephemeral (data expires? lol no), deskilling (of observation), global, asynchronous, enforcing, controlling. Twelve axes, twelve problems. Privacy is just the one we talk about."

The 12 Axes of the Technology Spectrum by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 16 Axes of the Technology Spectrum

The ultimate model, adding the final dimensions of metaphysical and existential impact. Building on the 12 Axes, we add: Axis 13: Instrumental-Constitutive (tool we use vs. technology that shapes who we are). Axis 14: External-Internal (outside us vs. integrated with body/mind). Axis 15: Visible-Invisible (noticeable when used vs. faded into background). Axis 16: Controllable-Uncontrollable (we can turn it off vs. it operates beyond our choice). These sixteen axes generate 65,536 potential positions—enough to capture every technology, every relationship, every impact. The 16 Axes reveal that technology isn't just what we make—it's what makes us. Constitutive technologies (language, writing, now AI) shape human consciousness itself. Internal technologies (pacemakers, neural implants) blur the boundary between self and tool. Invisible technologies (algorithms governing everything) operate beyond awareness. Uncontrollable technologies (global systems we can't shut down) challenge human agency itself.

The 16 Axes of the Technology Spectrum "You think AI is just another tool, like a toaster. The 16 Axes show otherwise: AI is soft, industrial, replacing, opaque, centralized, exploitative, ephemeral (models change constantly), deskilling, global, asynchronous, enforcing, controlling, constitutive (shapes thought), internal (soon), invisible (already), uncontrollable (who's turning it off?). That's not a toaster—that's a new kind of thing. The 16 Axes give you language to talk about it. Use them."

The 16 Axes of the Technology Spectrum by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

RFID, standing for Radio-Frequency Identification, is a technology that uses radio waves to identify and track objects or people, offering a wireless and non-contact alternative to barcodes.

RFID, standing for Radio-Frequency Identification, is a technology that uses radio waves to identify and track objects or people, offering a wireless and non-contact alternative to barcodes.

RFID, standing for Radio-Frequency Identification, is a technology that uses radio waves to identify and track objects or people, offering a wireless and non-contact alternative to barcodes.

RFID, standing for Radio-Frequency Identification, is a technology that uses radio waves to identify and track objects or people, offering a wireless and non-contact alternative to barcodes. by HernandezToRodriguezScapeGoat April 6, 2025

Technologically illiterate

Someone who doesn't know and will probably never learn how to work a computer or any form of technology, i.e video games, cell phones, microwaves, etc.

Mother: Honey, where's the space bar?
Teen: Mom, its the biggest key on the keyboard.
Mother: Oh thank you, that really helps a lot.
Teen: *Sighs* Mom, you are so technologically illiterate.

Technologically illiterate by Frostgirl117 February 24, 2011

Technolorgy 

A large gathering of males testing out or playing with a new phone, iPod, laptop, etc.. Usually held in the basement of the host's mom's house and involves numerous frozen and/or deep fried food items.

Gene: So we got together and played with our N95s...
Paul: Fool, we had those at last year's technolorgy!

Alain: There was this really hot chick at yesterday's technolorgy.
Harry: Really?
Alain: April fool's!

Technolorgy by Nickorido March 9, 2009

michigan technological university 

An engineering school located in a small town in the U.P. Houghton, Michigan. If you think you’ll have free time, think again. Because of the massive workload, students resolve to drinking in mass quantities to cope. The student board thought introducing broomball and Winter Carnival would solve the issue, but tech students see it as an excuse for getting hammered before playing in the snow that doesn’t melt until April. When you do have free time, you go to brockway mountain for the hundredth time if you don’t ski or snowboard. You’re lucky if you join the husky pep band, you get to let out your angst through singing inappropriate songs at sporting events and wearing something you found at the dump on your head.

“A drinking school with an engineering problem”

Michigan Technological University is not a place for everybody

michigan technological university by garebear35 October 18, 2020

technofoggie 

An older person who has no idea how to use anything technical, such as a dvd player, computer, cell phone.
An older person who needs their son or daughter to set up their television, stereo, A/V system, computer, cell phone, install software, show them how to use any electronic device.

I am such a technofggie, I had to call my son and ask him to come over and hook up my new big screen TV, cable box and DVR. My mom is such a technofoggie that I had to go over to her house and show her how to use her new cellphone and set up her bluetooth in her car.

technofoggie by raiderfan922 May 6, 2010