LAB2

** Why is the definition of genre controversial and not so applicable to the formation of digital genres? **** You may use the iPhone as a case. **
The definition of genre may be controversial and not so applicable to the formation of digital genres due to the ever-changing nature and complexity of technology. New products never cease to emerge into the market at rapid pace, frequently replacing previous products with better and improved commodities. Today, these new products emerging into the market do not only cover one type of technology but it overlaps – digital convergence. For example, the phone is no longer just a phone. It is now generic for a cell phone to include different arrays of other features such as games, and Internet browsing. Genre by definition suggests the categorizing of “artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique, or the like” (Dictionary.com). It classifies into fields such as art, literature, music, and so on. This becomes a difficult term to coin the digital genre regarding its mass spectrum due to its constantly evolving state, as well as its multi-serving purpose – thus it does not directly and strictly fit into one classification. It is a part of many categories, not just one.

For example, the iphone is a fully integrated piece of technology equipped with camera, music, ability to surf the Internet, access games, as well as watch movies or listen to a radio station – not just a phone. The iphone provides a variety of services, meeting different needs and uses. This includes social networking, and in President Obama’s case, assisting political campaigns. The versatility of the iphone was used as a useful and successful method by the President to raise awareness. Thus, we see a merge between traditional and modern technologies, further proving the difficult to analysis digital technology into a genre. It seems possible, but impractical to fit technology into defining genres.