What did Martin Heidegger mean by technological enframing?

In his later philosophy, Martin Heidegger used the term "enframing" (das Gestell) to describe the essence of modern technology. He argued that technology is not merely a collection of tools or machines, but a pervasive way of viewing and interacting with the world.1

Under the influence of enframing, modern humanity perceives the entirety of Being as a "standing reserve"—a collection of raw materials to be dominated, manipulated, and ordered for the purpose of production. This mindset subjects the world to a relentless sweep of efficiency, where nature and objects are valued only for their utility. Heidegger lamented that this technological dominance had become the defining feature of modern life, claiming that major political powers of the era were all equally subject to this pernicious influence.1

While Heidegger’s critique addressed a central concern of the modern age, some critics have argued that his failure to distinguish between the constructive and destructive applications of technology risks reducing his analysis to a form of Ludditism.1