Lisp: A Creative Medium for Programmers

This essay argues that Lisp is not just a programming language, but a creative medium for programmers, akin to writing or art. The author contends that good programming, like writing, involves exploration and discovery, followed by refinement of the presentation. Lisp's dynamic nature makes it ideal for experimentation and iteration, allowing programmers to adjust and improve their code much like a writer revises a manuscript. Using examples like mapmaking and writing, the author illustrates the interplay between discovery and refinement, criticizing the performance-first approach to programming language design as hindering creativity and flexibility. The author advocates for a more flexible and exploratory approach to software development, echoing the spirit of Agile methodologies.