[CODE CRITIQUE] Strachey love letter algorithm thread

In this discussion thread on the Critical Code Studies Working Group forum, I delve into a code critique of Christopher Strachey’s Love Letter algorithm, an early and iconic example of computer-generated text. Through a close reading of the code, I explore its historical context, technical intricacies, and cultural significance. The thread engages with the algorithm’s use of randomness and linguistic patterns, reflecting on how these elements contribute to its poetic output. Additionally, I consider broader issues such as the intersection of code and literary aesthetics, digital humanities, and gender studies, highlighting how this early work continues to resonate in contemporary discussions of algorithmic text generation.