If you ask me to define computational creativity, I can only offer general description like “creative behavior or production done by/with the computer,” because it’s just so broad. Therefore, live coding towards computational creativity seemed a bit intangible for me initially. Yet, this article revealed some patterns on my canvas that I can grab for this branch of knowledge, by discussing “whether human live coders can be replaced by software creative agents” (1).

Analogy of generative art comes abruptly for me, but I see it as to help clarify what the problem is regarding authorship and creativity. Whether coded behind or coded live, there are people doing creative work iterations. It is time-based and thoughts-based. 

What I found fascinating about live coding is that the behavior of “coding” and the code are integrated in the art and performance as a whole. As a result, programming was put on the stage for being thought on and even appreciated. Yet, the code itself is not a production. In the article, this sentence set me into some philosophical thinking: “Their code is not their work, but a high level description of how to make their work” (2). If “how to make their work” can show one’s style, is it somehow also a type of work? In addition, I still kept thinking: in a hyper-digital world, should the programs and principles that lie behind also have equal value with the work they execute? 

My biggest takeaway is about live coding’s novelty in production. Somehow, all the quotes indicate keywords like improvisation, abstraction, and spontaneity. The immediacy of coding results highlights spontaneous thoughts, which is different from software development experiences that are slow and arduous. It accepts imperfection and highlights time/present. It is by this that live coding shows value in art and creativity. However, these words sound like alarm bells for me. I’m a person who is used to preparing in advance. I experience work such as Arduino and 3D modeling as “slow and arduous”. Sometimes I also seek perfection and over-think… However, I don’t see them as discouragement for me in live coding. They are just different ways of doing things, and I want to try new things. At least, as one quote says, the “skills and confidence acquired” would last. I really expect to see how my view on imperfection and improvisation would change after this class.