I found the author’s comparison between computer languages and human languages intriguing, as it highlights how different languages influence our expressions, molding our thoughts and personalities. The author suggests that switching to another language could even alter our physical gestures while speaking. In live coding, these effects are particularly pronounced, given that languages are typically high-level and often crafted with particular visual or musical styles in mind, thereby imposing creative constraints. This point made me wonder how the notation systems of Tidalcycles and Hydra might be affecting our class’s live coding outputs. At the beginning of the class, I found myself sticking to highly vibrant and psychedelic-ish visuals. However, after going through Hydra documentation and also seeing my classmates’ performances, it showed me that a variety of visual styles can be achieved depending on the approach taken.

The text also highlights the evolving nature of live coding culture, particularly regarding its stance on commercialization and consumption. As documentation becomes more prevalent, the once anti-commercialization ethos of live coding seems to be shifting. However, this shift is not necessarily negative; rather, it fosters an open-source community where knowledge-sharing and collaboration thrive. In my case, I often find myself resorting to online examples to explore the possibilities of languages I’m attempting to learn. Observing someone implement a specific function or utilize an unusual notation sparks ideas for me to experiment with those techniques in my own projects. By saving and sharing code, practitioners contribute to a pool of resources that enriches the community and promotes collective learning and inspiration.