I propose a session wherein we explore ways genre can be constructed in a social situation. Normative definitions of genre (stemming from, but not exclusively, Aristotle) have had their own share of noted and notable problems; as a result, genre theorists have turned to descriptive accounts of genre makeup. I would turn away from a descriptive model framed only by critics, but instead from a broader look at reader response to particular works. In particular, I want to look at ways that Goodreads, as a social media expression of the kinds of books being read in the real-time now, can change the way we look at genre construction. What kinds of data can be useful in talking about genre? How might the tagging of particular works within genres change the way those books are read and received? What are the limits regarded the use of crowd-sourced data regarding the tagging of books?

Wearable computing has received growing attention in the media, market and scientific research in the past decades. There are new devices available each day and they provide a lot of new opportunities for applications. Available in many different form factors, wearable devices aid to support not only gaming, fitness and fashion, but also safety critical and medical emergencies.

Glasses help to quickly access information, document life events through photos and videos, receive notifications and alerts, etc. Intelligent armbands aid to keep track of activities, including: eating and sleeping habits, and physical exercises.

Although wearable devices provide a lot of new opportunities, they are not (yet) widespread. Users may be concerned about privacy issues, or do not see clear benefits of these devices, perhaps their costs are still too high.

Better understanding what users (or potential users) think about wearable computing, can help to improve the design of these devices, and consequently to meet users’ expectations.

Jan Holmevik, Sean Morey, and I want to meet with other THATCampers to chat about Google Glass, the opportunities it might create for teaching, learning, and research; future app development; and more. The three of us are new Google Glass “explorers” and so will be ready to share our experiences thus far.