papers · Aesthetic ComputerAcademic papers on Aesthetic Computer, KidLisp, and creative computing.https://papers.aesthetic.computer/2026-04-29T07:13:32.770Z@jeffreyhttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-4460-4913https://papers.aesthetic.computer/papers-og.jpgCC BY 4.0 unless noted otherwise.Whistlegraphhttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/whistlegraph-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-29T07:13:32.770Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyDrawing, Singing, and the Graphic Score as Viral Form · arXiv 4pp — Whistlegraph explores drawing, singing, and score-making as forms that can spread like software. The paper links graphic notation to performance, remix, and browser-native sharing.Jeffrey Alan Scudder — CVhttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/jeffrey-alan-scudder-cv.pdf2026-04-29T07:13:32.768Z@jeffreyKidLisp (ELS 2026)https://papers.aesthetic.computer/kidlisp-els-2026.pdf2026-04-29T01:43:24.883Z@jeffreyA Minimal Lisp for Generative Art with Social Composition · ELS ACM SIGS 4pp — An ELS conference version of KidLisp that emphasizes social composition. It positions the language as a shared practice rather than a solo scripting environment.KidLisp '26https://papers.aesthetic.computer/kidlisp-26-joss.pdf2026-04-29T01:43:24.856Z@jeffreyJOSS Summary · 3pp — A compact JOSS summary of KidLisp for archival and citation purposes. It frames the language as a small but expressive tool for generative art.Aesthetic Computer '26https://papers.aesthetic.computer/aesthetic-computer-26-joss.pdf2026-04-29T01:43:24.789Z@jeffreyJOSS Summary · 2pp — A compact JOSS summary of Aesthetic Computer for archival and citation purposes. It distills the platform into a conventional software paper format.Diagrams from Datahttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/diagrams-from-data-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-28T17:51:40.783Z2026-04-28T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyWhere the Microseconds Gohttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/where-the-microseconds-go-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-28T06:54:57.123Z2026-04-26T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyThe URL Traditionhttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/url-tradition-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-27T22:44:09.993Z2026-04-27T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyAddressable Creative Computing from Lovelace's Footnotes to Aesthetic Computer · arXiv — The URL Tradition traces address-thinking from Lovelace's footnotes, Bush's trails, Xanadu, and the Negro Motorist Green Book through net.art, single-serving sites, the tilde, Glitch, and Aesthetic Computer's prompt-as-address-bar. It argues the URL is not a feature but a medium property that reshapes authorship, distribution, pedagogy, performance, and political claim.Aesthetic Computer '26https://papers.aesthetic.computer/aesthetic-computer-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyA Mobile-First Runtime for Creative Computing · arXiv 5pp — Aesthetic Computer is presented as a mobile-first creative computing runtime where the interface, publishing flow, and community feedback loop are part of the medium. The paper argues that small pieces can make software feel more social, more portable, and easier to share.KidLisp '26https://papers.aesthetic.computer/kidlisp-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyA Minimal Lisp for Generative Art on a Social Platform · arXiv 6pp — KidLisp is the platform's tiny Lisp for building visual and musical pieces in the browser. The paper shows how a minimal language can stay approachable while still supporting generative art and composition.PLOrk'ing the Planethttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/plorking-the-planet-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyLaptop Orchestras, PLOrk Heritage, and Aesthetic Computer · arXiv — This paper connects Aesthetic Computer to laptop orchestras and the collaborative traditions of PLOrk. It treats the browser as a place for ensemble practice, not just solo desktop programming.AC Native OShttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/ac-native-os-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyA Bare-Metal Creative Computing Operating System · arXiv 5pp — AC Native OS describes a bare-metal runtime for creative computing. It focuses on boot-time simplicity and the idea that the operating system itself can be a programmable art surface.From setup() to boot()https://papers.aesthetic.computer/piece-api-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyProcessing at the Core of the Piece API · arXiv 7pp — The Piece API rethinks creative software around composable pieces instead of monolithic apps. It uses Processing's lineage to connect setup(), boot(), and the act of publishing.Who Pays for Creative Tools?https://papers.aesthetic.computer/who-pays-for-creative-tools-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-27T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyFunding, Burnout, and Survival in Open-Source Creative Computing · arXiv 5pp — A short look at who supports open-source creative tools and what that labor costs. The paper connects funding, burnout, and long-term maintenance to the life of artistic software.Pieces Not Programshttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/pieces-not-programs-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyThe Piece as a Unit of Creative Cognition · arXiv 4pp — A piece is treated here as the basic unit of creative cognition in AC. The paper argues that smaller, shareable pieces encourage composition, remix, and publication.notepat.comhttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/notepat-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyFrom Keyboard Toy to System Front Door · arXiv 5pp — notepat.com is framed as a keyboard-first front door to the system. The paper follows the toy-like input surface as it grows into a fuller creative interface.Radical Computer Arthttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/radical-computer-art-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyGoodiepalian Approaches in Aesthetic Computer · arXiv 5pp — This paper treats Goodiepalian practice as a model for radical computer art. It emphasizes play, notation, and the social life of systems over polished product design.Sucking on the Complexhttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/sucking-on-the-complex-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyPlatform Hegemony, Critique-as-Content, and Anti-Environments · arXiv 5pp — Sucking on the Complex critiques platform hegemony and the way critique becomes content. It looks for anti-environments that stay messy, resistant, and alive.Vestigial Featureshttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/dead-ends-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyDormant Paths, Evolutionary Branches, and Abandoned Approaches · arXiv 4pp — The paper catalogs dormant branches, abandoned experiments, and paths that never became default. It treats dead ends as useful history rather than failure.Playable Folk Songshttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/folk-songs-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyOral Tradition Meets the Browser Keyboard · arXiv — Playable Folk Songs brings oral tradition into the browser keyboard. The paper asks how simple interaction can carry collective memory and repetition.Repository Archaeologyhttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/repo-archaeology-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyTracing the Evolution of AC Through Its Git History · arXiv 3pp · interactive timeline — Repository Archaeology traces the project through its git history. The paper shows how version control can become a narrative medium for design evolution.Network Audithttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/network-audit-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyWho Uses Aesthetic Computer and What Do They Make? · arXiv 4pp — Network Audit asks who uses Aesthetic Computer and what they make with it. The paper turns usage patterns into a portrait of a community in motion.KidLisp Language Referencehttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/kidlisp-reference-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffrey118 Built-ins in 12 Categories · arXiv 4pp — The KidLisp reference compresses the language into a usable field guide. It groups 118 built-ins into 12 categories for quick browsing and recall.Citation Diversity Audithttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/citation-diversity-audit-26.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyDiversity and Inclusion in AC Paper Citations · 4pp — Citation Diversity Audit looks at who gets cited in the papers and where the archive is thin. The paper uses citation patterns as a proxy for inclusion and intellectual range.Get Closed Source Out of Schoolshttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/open-schools-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-20T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyGet Closed Source Out of Schools makes the case that creative computing should be teachable, inspectable, and modifiable. The paper argues for open tools as infrastructure for learning.Five Years from Nowhttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/five-years-from-now-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-20T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyFive Years from Now is a projection paper about where the project could go if current habits continue. It uses the near future to test the consequences of today's decisions.CalArts, Callouts, and Papershttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/calarts-callouts-papers-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyCalArts, Callouts, and Papers turns a local institutional context into a study of friction, attention, and production. The paper leans into psycho style to show how academic labor is staged and performed.Handle Identity on the AT Protocolhttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/handle-identity-atproto-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-27T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyHandle Identity on the AT Protocol treats naming as a social and technical problem. The paper explores how handles, identity, and publishing can be tied together without losing portability.Two Departments, One Buildinghttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/ucla-arts-funding-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-27T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyTwo Departments, One Building examines how funding and infrastructure shape creative work in shared spaces. The paper looks at administrative boundaries as part of the artistic system.The Potter and the Prompthttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/potter-and-prompt-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-04-05T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyJohn Holden's Proto-Cognitive Music Theory and Aesthetic Computer · arXiv 7pp — The Potter and the Prompt argues that AC independently converges on the core principles of John Holden's 1770 proto-cognitive music theory. It proposes AC as a computational laboratory for advancing Holden's unfinished program on grouping, attention, and the module.KidLisp Cardshttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/kidlisp-cards-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyKidLisp Cards condenses the language into a pocketable card format. It is meant to make the language easier to browse, teach, and carry.Reading the Scorehttps://papers.aesthetic.computer/reading-the-score-26-arxiv.pdf2026-04-06T22:52:45.200Z2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z@jeffreyReading the Score looks at the graphic score as an interface for interpretation and collaboration. The paper treats notation as a computational and social object.