CCT300-Lab2

= Lab 2 - Why is the definition of genre controversial and not so applicable to the formation of digital genres? =

Dictionary.com defines the word genre as "a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content or technique". This definition is most applicable in the past because many things can be classified under certain categories. For example, films are sorted into various genres: action, comedy, romance, documentary, etc. Genres are often use to group similar objects together that share a particular style of work.

However, we have moved into a digital era where digital convergence plays a key part in our development of technologies. Apple's iPhone is a prime example because it combines information technologies, telecommunications, consumer electronics and entertainment into a portable object. It is a device that caters to a variety of needs while appealing to a large group of people. With these digital genres, we can no longer classify objects as easily.

Shiels' article "Obama uses iPhone to win support" explains how President Obama's team creates an application for the iPhone to rally support and new voters. This one application strings together a variety of methods to promote Obama; from a feature that allows people to make phone calls to friends and voters, to updated news, pictures and videos. All this valuable information about the Obama campaign would be sent directly to one's phone, making it convenient and simple. Within the last few years, phones have developed into a powerful tool that no longer has a single function.