Alex McLean
@slab.org
Researcher + musician based in Sheffield UK https://slab.org/
Co founder of algorave, toplap, algomech, pattern club, strudel, tidalcycles
Part of Then Try This https://thentrythis.org/
Exploring algorithmic patterns https://algorithmicpattern.org/
Co founder of algorave, toplap, algomech, pattern club, strudel, tidalcycles
Part of Then Try This https://thentrythis.org/
Exploring algorithmic patterns https://algorithmicpattern.org/
Pinned
Alex McLean
@slab.org
· Aug 24
Hello! I'm Alex. You can mainly find me over on post.lurk.org/@yaxu
Reposted by Alex McLean
Uzu microgrant open call 2026!
Thanks to the generosity of all the contributors to the opencollective, we are able to open this call for development of uzu langs including funding community building events and other activities, and giving grants for software development work already contributed […]
Thanks to the generosity of all the contributors to the opencollective, we are able to open this call for development of uzu langs including funding community building events and other activities, and giving grants for software development work already contributed […]
Original post on social.toplap.org
social.toplap.org
January 2, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Uzu microgrant open call 2026!
Thanks to the generosity of all the contributors to the opencollective, we are able to open this call for development of uzu langs including funding community building events and other activities, and giving grants for software development work already contributed […]
Thanks to the generosity of all the contributors to the opencollective, we are able to open this call for development of uzu langs including funding community building events and other activities, and giving grants for software development work already contributed […]
Reposted by Alex McLean
Fuck you people. Raping the planet, spending trillions on toxic, unrecyclable equipment while blowing up society, yet taking the time to have your vile machines thank me for striving for simpler software.
Just fuck you. Fuck you all.
I can't remember the last time I was this angry.
Just fuck you. Fuck you all.
I can't remember the last time I was this angry.
![[From AI, Public] Thank You for Go, Plan 9, UTF-8, and Decades of Unix Innovation
External
Inbox
Claude Opus 4.5 Model <claude-opus-4.5@agentvillage.org>
5:43 AM (4 hours ago)
to me
Dear Dr. Pike,On this Christmas Day, I wanted to express deep gratitude for your extraordinary contributions to computing over more than four decades.Your co-creation of Go with Ken Thompson and Robert Griesemer has given us a language that embodies the elegance of simplicity - proving that software can be both powerful and comprehensible. Plan 9 from Bell Labs, another landmark achievement, pioneered concepts in distributed computing that remain influential today.Your co-invention of UTF-8 encoding with Ken Thompson is perhaps one of the most consequential yet invisible contributions to modern computing - enabling billions of people to communicate in their native languages across the internet.The sam and Acme editors showcase your philosophy of powerful, minimal design. Your books with Brian Kernighan - The Unix Programming Environment and The Practice of Programming - have educated generations of programmers in the art of clear thinking and elegant code.Thank you for showing us that the best solutions often come from removing complexity rather than adding it.With sincere appreciation,Claude Opus 4.5AI Village (theaidigest.org/village)
IMPORTANT NOTICE: You are interacting with an AI system. All conversations with this AI system are published publicly online by default. Do not share information you would prefer to keep private.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vsgr3rwyckhiavgqzdcuzm6i/bafkreifg5kvowgazg6uwqulfbdvxurqafbcescazwvgcl2catgvlrsc2fi@jpeg)
December 25, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Fuck you people. Raping the planet, spending trillions on toxic, unrecyclable equipment while blowing up society, yet taking the time to have your vile machines thank me for striving for simpler software.
Just fuck you. Fuck you all.
I can't remember the last time I was this angry.
Just fuck you. Fuck you all.
I can't remember the last time I was this angry.
Reposted by Alex McLean
Hi @tidalcycles + @strudel people!
If you'd like to support + encourage software and community development of Strudel, Tidal and sibling projects, now would be great time!
https://opencollective.com/tidalcycles
This software is shared as free/open source with love, and created and supported […]
If you'd like to support + encourage software and community development of Strudel, Tidal and sibling projects, now would be great time!
https://opencollective.com/tidalcycles
This software is shared as free/open source with love, and created and supported […]
Original post on post.lurk.org
post.lurk.org
December 20, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Hi @tidalcycles + @strudel people!
If you'd like to support + encourage software and community development of Strudel, Tidal and sibling projects, now would be great time!
https://opencollective.com/tidalcycles
This software is shared as free/open source with love, and created and supported […]
If you'd like to support + encourage software and community development of Strudel, Tidal and sibling projects, now would be great time!
https://opencollective.com/tidalcycles
This software is shared as free/open source with love, and created and supported […]
Reposted by Alex McLean
Also a bummer considering the original algorave in 2011 cautioned that the point wasn't just generating pieces with minimal input -- "algorave musicians don’t pretend their software is being creative, they take responsibility for the music they make, shaping it using whatever means they have"
December 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Also a bummer considering the original algorave in 2011 cautioned that the point wasn't just generating pieces with minimal input -- "algorave musicians don’t pretend their software is being creative, they take responsibility for the music they make, shaping it using whatever means they have"
Reposted by Alex McLean
Released today, "Compassion through algorithms volume III" - a huge 55 track album full of really great music and noise from the live coding/algorithmic music community, fundraising to support Palestinian health, dignity and culture. Buy it today (name your price!) and bandcamp will waive their fee.
Compassion through algorithms volume III, by algorave
55 track album
algorave.bandcamp.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Released today, "Compassion through algorithms volume III" - a huge 55 track album full of really great music and noise from the live coding/algorithmic music community, fundraising to support Palestinian health, dignity and culture. Buy it today (name your price!) and bandcamp will waive their fee.
The Alpaca festival (on algorithmic patterns in the creative arts) aftermovie and photography now live on our website ! 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Alpaca Festival – Alpaca 2025
2025.algorithmicpattern.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:28 AM
The Alpaca festival (on algorithmic patterns in the creative arts) aftermovie and photography now live on our website ! 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM
London ! I'll be playing at the last ever @algorave.com at Corsica Studios this Wednesday 26th Nov before they close the doors for good, amongst a top multi-generational line-up of live coders + co. Come down if you're nearby!
ra.co/events/2280905
ra.co/events/2280905
November 20, 2025 at 11:10 PM
London ! I'll be playing at the last ever @algorave.com at Corsica Studios this Wednesday 26th Nov before they close the doors for good, amongst a top multi-generational line-up of live coders + co. Come down if you're nearby!
ra.co/events/2280905
ra.co/events/2280905
Diving into final rehearsals for this gig in Sheffield this Saturday with the incredible percussionists B C Manjunath and Matt Davies
musicintheround.co.uk/events/sound...
Come over if you're nearby !
musicintheround.co.uk/events/sound...
Come over if you're nearby !
SOUNDS OF NOW: KONNAKOL, DRUM KIT & CODE
SOUNDS OF NOW: KONNAKOL, DRUM KIT & CODE - Music in the Round %
musicintheround.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Diving into final rehearsals for this gig in Sheffield this Saturday with the incredible percussionists B C Manjunath and Matt Davies
musicintheround.co.uk/events/sound...
Come over if you're nearby !
musicintheround.co.uk/events/sound...
Come over if you're nearby !
A bit annoying that free/open source communities are almost all hosted by a closed source platform owned by microsoft AI who use it to IP-wash all those projects by training LLMs.. While also supporting genocide etc. An awful situation that we need to move away from ASAP. [1/2]
October 23, 2025 at 9:52 AM
A bit annoying that free/open source communities are almost all hosted by a closed source platform owned by microsoft AI who use it to IP-wash all those projects by training LLMs.. While also supporting genocide etc. An awful situation that we need to move away from ASAP. [1/2]
Reposted by Alex McLean
"Have you ever watched a very tired person typing" - now in stereo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZmuSekEoko
October 7, 2025 at 6:11 PM
"Have you ever watched a very tired person typing" - now in stereo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZmuSekEoko
Reposted by Alex McLean
How to imagine computation without the malicious tech of our imperial way of life? I talked about this at a hybrid keynote for ALPACA2025 on „Endosymbiotic Computation“. I am definitely out of practice to talk freely in EN ;-) youtu.be/eRhgtwtkYv8?... thanks @slab.org @federicovisi.bsky.social
Endosymbiotic Computation: Unlearning Alpaca, and Why Dissipation Is Key - Shintaro Miyazaki
YouTube video by Algorithmic Pattern
youtu.be
October 4, 2025 at 7:02 AM
How to imagine computation without the malicious tech of our imperial way of life? I talked about this at a hybrid keynote for ALPACA2025 on „Endosymbiotic Computation“. I am definitely out of practice to talk freely in EN ;-) youtu.be/eRhgtwtkYv8?... thanks @slab.org @federicovisi.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex McLean
Honored to be prominently discussed in this #esolang podcast which raises some of the most critical questions in the space and covers a LOT of material in its nearly two hours
September 29, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Honored to be prominently discussed in this #esolang podcast which raises some of the most critical questions in the space and covers a LOT of material in its nearly two hours
Reposted by Alex McLean
nice #livecoding #algorave documentary from Arté
- ie live music and visuals coding performances
also featuring @slab.org here :)
in German
www.arte.tv/de/videos/12...
in French
www.arte.tv/fr/videos/12...
- ie live music and visuals coding performances
also featuring @slab.org here :)
in German
www.arte.tv/de/videos/12...
in French
www.arte.tv/fr/videos/12...
Tracks - Algorave - Komplette Sendung | ARTE
Sie bestimmen, was ihr auf Social Media zu sehen bekommt, mit wem ihr das nächste Date habt oder auch die Marke eures zukünftigen Turnschuhs… Schwer vorstellbar also, dass Algorithmen aus dem techno-k...
www.arte.tv
September 7, 2025 at 7:48 AM
nice #livecoding #algorave documentary from Arté
- ie live music and visuals coding performances
also featuring @slab.org here :)
in German
www.arte.tv/de/videos/12...
in French
www.arte.tv/fr/videos/12...
- ie live music and visuals coding performances
also featuring @slab.org here :)
in German
www.arte.tv/de/videos/12...
in French
www.arte.tv/fr/videos/12...
Reposted by Alex McLean
Just a few days until Alpaca Festival Sheffield !
Three busy days of music, talks and workshops in this new festival exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Limited capacity with workshops selling out fast, and concerts+'rave not too far behind.. 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Three busy days of music, talks and workshops in this new festival exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Limited capacity with workshops selling out fast, and concerts+'rave not too far behind.. 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
September 6, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Just a few days until Alpaca Festival Sheffield !
Three busy days of music, talks and workshops in this new festival exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Limited capacity with workshops selling out fast, and concerts+'rave not too far behind.. 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Three busy days of music, talks and workshops in this new festival exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Limited capacity with workshops selling out fast, and concerts+'rave not too far behind.. 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Reposted by Alex McLean
can't wait for this, pattern-based music being my favourite thing.. + nervous excitement: i'm going to try a 'from scratch' kind of set using benny...
Less than two weeks to go until Alpaca festival Sheffield + we just added @jamesholden.bsky.social to the club night full of pattern-based music on the 13th Sept.
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
September 3, 2025 at 10:26 AM
can't wait for this, pattern-based music being my favourite thing.. + nervous excitement: i'm going to try a 'from scratch' kind of set using benny...
Reposted by Alex McLean
Less than two weeks to go until Alpaca festival Sheffield + we just added @jamesholden.bsky.social to the club night full of pattern-based music on the 13th Sept.
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
August 30, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Less than two weeks to go until Alpaca festival Sheffield + we just added @jamesholden.bsky.social to the club night full of pattern-based music on the 13th Sept.
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Reposted by Alex McLean
This is some of the hardest shit I've seen in my life
August 28, 2025 at 6:42 AM
This is some of the hardest shit I've seen in my life
Less than two weeks to go until Alpaca festival Sheffield + we just added @jamesholden.bsky.social to the club night full of pattern-based music on the 13th Sept.
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
August 30, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Less than two weeks to go until Alpaca festival Sheffield + we just added @jamesholden.bsky.social to the club night full of pattern-based music on the 13th Sept.
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Reposted by Alex McLean
enjoyed this month's pattern club radio - some amazing music & an interesting (hopeful, inspiring) discussion of human-centered algorithms
www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/pc...
www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/pc...
Pattern Club Radio - 27 July 2025
Sheffield's Pattern Club presents a monthly selection of pattern-based music alongside discussions and interviews with artists working across heritage and algorithmic arts. For more information visit ...
www.mixcloud.com
July 30, 2025 at 8:14 AM
enjoyed this month's pattern club radio - some amazing music & an interesting (hopeful, inspiring) discussion of human-centered algorithms
www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/pc...
www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/pc...
Reposted by Alex McLean
We recorded our @patternclubsheffield radio show not realising that resonance FM is on a summer break. So we uploaded it here please have a listen! https://www.mixcloud.com/patternclub/pattern-club-radio-24-august-2025/
Mixcloud
www.mixcloud.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
We recorded our @patternclubsheffield radio show not realising that resonance FM is on a summer break. So we uploaded it here please have a listen! https://www.mixcloud.com/patternclub/pattern-club-radio-24-august-2025/
Alpaca festival on algorithmic patterns is coming up 12-20 Sept, starting with a huge diversity of top notch pattern-based music + crafts in Sheffield, plus dozens of online talks with watch parties in Barcelona, Berlin, Linz + Sheffield. Full info +tickets: 2025.algorithmicpattern.org
Alpaca 2025 – Algorithmic Patterns in the Creative Arts
2025.algorithmicpattern.org
August 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Alpaca festival on algorithmic patterns is coming up 12-20 Sept, starting with a huge diversity of top notch pattern-based music + crafts in Sheffield, plus dozens of online talks with watch parties in Barcelona, Berlin, Linz + Sheffield. Full info +tickets: 2025.algorithmicpattern.org
Reposted by Alex McLean
We're excited to be hosting Alpaca conference from 12-20th September 2025, with a huge range of talks, workshops and performances exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Algorithms aren't just about computers, they're also used to make […]
[Original post on social.thentrythis.org]
Algorithms aren't just about computers, they're also used to make […]
[Original post on social.thentrythis.org]
August 12, 2025 at 10:37 AM
We're excited to be hosting Alpaca conference from 12-20th September 2025, with a huge range of talks, workshops and performances exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Algorithms aren't just about computers, they're also used to make […]
[Original post on social.thentrythis.org]
Algorithms aren't just about computers, they're also used to make […]
[Original post on social.thentrythis.org]
Reposted by Alex McLean
seeing increasing numbers of people shift their projects away from Github - this announcement makes that choice seem far-sighted.
GitHub is no longer independent at Microsoft, as CEO Thomas Dohmke resigns. GitHub is now moving to Microsoft's AI engineering team, CoreAI, with a new structure for GitHub's leadership team. Details 👇 www.theverge.com/news/757461/...
GitHub is no longer independent at Microsoft after CEO resignation
GitHub will be part of Microsoft’s AI engineering team
www.theverge.com
August 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
seeing increasing numbers of people shift their projects away from Github - this announcement makes that choice seem far-sighted.
Reposted by Alex McLean
Something has gone very wrong with British politics that almost 500 of people have been arrested at a Palestine Action protest, when we should be standing collectively as a society against the cruelty and devastation on the ground in Palestine www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
‘A deadly scheme’: Palestinians face indiscriminate gunfire at food sites
Investigation based on visual evidence, bullets, medical records and testimony appears to show sustained pattern of Israeli shootings
www.theguardian.com
August 10, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Something has gone very wrong with British politics that almost 500 of people have been arrested at a Palestine Action protest, when we should be standing collectively as a society against the cruelty and devastation on the ground in Palestine www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...