How Do You Define a Technologist?

The term "technologist" is perplexing. My friend, Will Burrus, has been called one. I've heard a few people call Dave Culbertson and Joe Payton technologists.

Wikipedia defines it broadly:

A technologist is a specialist who is trained to perform work in a field of technology. In some countries, there is a clear definition defined by law, and only individuals who have graduated from an accredited curriculum in technology, and have a significant amount of work experience in their field may become registered.

Depending on the country, their recognition may be in the form of a certification or a professional registration. The Sydney Accord and the Engineering Technologist Mobility Forum (ETMF) are two international efforts to improve cross-border recognition. An Engineering Technologist is sometimes called an Engologist or an Ingologist in Continental Europe. In the United States, are synonymous with Applied Engineering as defined by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering.

By this definition then, they are defined by certification from a specific organization, depending on the country in which you live. Okay. For me, that still leaves three small disconnects:

• The standards and focus of the specific organization governs the definition. In the cases above, they would most likely deal in some type of engineering.
• Associations often offer accreditation and certification as a means of generating revenue. That's not a bad thing at all, but it is a driving factor.
• Technology is now changing at a more rapid pace than ever before.

What about experienced web designers or WordPress gurus? What about the small sector of developers who have taken on learning FBML? What about bloggers and other content creators who are experts in social technology, due to the requirements of their job and/or passion?

Here are a couple of honest questions, and I'd really like to know what you think:

• How do you define one?
• Do you consider yourself one? If so, why?

(photo credit: King Power Cinema)