Lisp from Nothing, Second Edition

(t3x.org)

Show context

vkazanov ◴[29 Aug 25 20:17 UTC] No.45068913[source]▶

As somebody who read a couple of the author's books, and also somebody who spent almost a decade studying compilers, I am genuinely curious about the author himself.

These works are something I both understand and would never achieve myself. These are cultural artifacts, like deeply personal poetry, made purely for the process of it. Not practically useful, not state of the art, not research level, but... a personal journey?

If the author is reading this... can you share your vision? Motivation?

replies(6): >>45069053 #>>45069373 #>>45071236 #>>45071939 #>>45072707 #>>45072930 #

1. nils-m-holm ◴[29 Aug 25 21:05 UTC] No.45069373[source]▶

>>45068913 #

Thank you so much for reading my books and describing my work in such beautiful words! You basically answered your own question! My motivation is just the creation of something I find beautiful. The vision, to pass knowledge to those who seek it in the simplest possible way, where "simple" does not necessarily mean in the tersest form, but in a form that invites being digested.

I do not usually talk much about "myself". I tried, but with no-one asking, I find it difficult to say anything.

replies(5): >>45069662 #>>45070260 #>>45072591 #>>45072750 #>>45074425 #

2. throwawaySimon ◴[29 Aug 25 21:34 UTC] No.45069662[source]▶

>>45069373 (TP) #

“I have nothing to say and I am saying it”

Cage.

Thanks for An Introduction to Mental Development, I've throughly enjoyed it!

replies(1): >>45072954 #

3. ronald_petty ◴[29 Aug 25 22:46 UTC] No.45070260[source]▶

>>45069373 (TP) #

I just ordered this book. Looking forward to learning! Thank you for your effort.

4. butterisgood ◴[30 Aug 25 07:17 UTC] No.45072591[source]▶

>>45069373 (TP) #

I love that your lisp implementations are so portable. I believe one is available for Plan 9.

replies(1): >>45072940 #

5. matheusmoreira ◴[30 Aug 25 07:50 UTC] No.45072750[source]▶

>>45069373 (TP) #

Thank you for your work! I share your feelings.

6. nils-m-holm ◴[30 Aug 25 08:27 UTC] No.45072940[source]▶

>>45072591 #

Thanks! And yes, Scheme 9 from Empty Space should compile on Plan 9! http://t3x.org/s9fes/

replies(1): >>45073552 #

7. nils-m-holm ◴[30 Aug 25 08:28 UTC] No.45072954[source]▶

>>45069662 #

So have I! :)

And thanks for the Cage quote. I enjoyed that, too!

8. latexr ◴[30 Aug 25 10:39 UTC] No.45073552{3}[source]▶

>>45072940 #

> Scheme 9 from Empty Space

As a fan of word plays, that got a genuine chortle out of me. Thank you.

9. mark_l_watson ◴[30 Aug 25 13:21 UTC] No.45074425[source]▶

>>45069373 (TP) #

I just bought ePubs for your Raja Yoga Revisted (I usually study SRF material, but alternatives are good!) and Scheme 9 for Empty Space. Your web site is very nice, I loved the ‘Who am I?’ page. I have been using Lisp languages since 1978 but except for studying Peter Norvig’s Lisp in Python, I have never dropped below the abstraction layer into a Lisp implementation so I am looking forward to that.

EDIT: https://usesthis.com/interviews/nils.m.holm/

↑