Convergence

The term "convergence" is defined as the act of converging and especially moving toward a union or uniformity. There are many forms of convergences today like technological or network. Seeing that the class is about media, it is an importnat term to undestand how these technologies and media outlets somehow play on one another to set a sort of unity.

Background

The term itself is broad in itself but given a type of convergence, one sees its meaning. For example, a technological convergence is the combination of two or more different technologies into one. This is shown by our cell phones, not only can you make phone calls now, but also take pictures and surf the web. This is an example of combining different technologies (phone, camera, computer) into one technology (cell phone).

Uses in other disciplines

The term "convergence" can be used to describe many type of unities or things coming together. So it is no surprise to see the term used in many fashions like technological, network, even internet.

See also

http://jfbelisle.com/2009/05/three-types-of-convergence-is-the-future-friendly/ The link above is a link to a online article of technological, network, and internet convergence. It gives a nice example of each type in a clear and understandable manner.

References

Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2017. Belisle, Jean-Francois. "Three Types of Convergence – Is the Future Friendly?" JF Belisle. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2017.