I was quickly entrenched in reading Love Coding’s user manual. Alan F. Blackwell – the author – quickly grabbed my attention when he outright challenged the notion of a user. This chapter immediately brings up multiple dynamics that come into play when one is using a computer, a piece of software, code. I found it fascinating how Blackwell juxtaposes Big Tech’s aim to make computers invisible for a good user experience, and Live Coding’s emphasis on the code. Furthermore, other characteristics of live coding mentioned make me very curious about the field. For example, I had never considered the temporality of software. I wonder if being “constrained” within the present tense when coding live will alter my perspective of regular software. I am also very interested in the materiality of software. The idea presented by the author that live coding brings out the materiality of a computer and hardware is interesting to say the least.

The practice of live coding as per Blackwell’s introduction makes me recall the live poets that I saw on the streets of New Orleans. These people write poems for people on the spot on a typewriter. The magic of these experiences lies not on the poem, but on the temporality and visibility of the whole process. I am eager to explore live coding and recreate this sensation that the poets brought out! Perhaps exploring the elements that Blackwell points out through this comparison will be a useful experience!!