Working out the consequences of a formal definition is mathematics. Math taught me that we interpret the word “genre” narrowly; “genre” is caught in a genre convention. As we have defined it, genre is the operation of culture and little less.
Understanding the world by joining theory and observation is science. Science taught me that genre conventions may be known to all (fantasy has elves), or known to experts (this story is an instance of Aarne-Thompson-Uther type 925), or perhaps known to none.
Learning better is education. Carrying out this exercise educated me that few can do math or science.
give me a clue so sweet and true
the Daily Whale
copyright 2019, 2024 Jay J.P. Scott
<jay@satirist.org>