Introduction
A tiny computer-generated booklet made for the comparative media studies (CMS) class, Word Made Digital taught by Nick Montfort.The assignment was to create a tiny computer-generated booklet using 1 short, self-contained Python program of no more than 66 lines and a single printed sheet.
Unfortunately I can no longer find the physical booklet :(
More
Each entry follows a strict grammar and each part of the grammar (action, verb, subject, etc.) is randomly generated from a list of phrases crafted by me. The generated text uses simple language to evoke a sense of intimacy and wonder.
Sun Feb 15 11:49:44 2026
Dear Diary, Today I missed my chance. We were having soup in the kitchen and then I remembered stories of strangers approaching slowly under the moon. At last it happened -- bombs dropping and the breath weakening. Now they are stuck in the square and I'm exiting the city.
Love, Kelly
Mon Dec 14 11:40:08 2026
Dear Diary, Today I realized something had to change. We were square dancing and then I remembered a dream of a forbidden kiss from the shadows. Oddly it happened -- snow falling on the beach and our pace quickening. Now they are resting in the shower and I'm exiting the city.
Love, Kelly
Sat Mar 13 16:10:21 2027
Dear Diary, Today I fell in love. We were having soup in the kitchen and then I remembered a promise of the body leaping under the moon. Oddly it happened -- the body floating and a smile forming. Now we are dancing in the kitchen and I'm laughing softly.
Love, Kelly
Sun May 30 09:21:49 2027
Dear Diary, Today I took a chance. We were standing on the shore and then I saw visions of stars falling under the sun. Finally it happened -- our pace quickening and the knife plunging. Now she is buried in the ground and I'm brushing my hair.
Love, Kelly
Fri Mar 24 00:43:33 2028
Dear Diary, Today I broke a promise. We were singing on the roof and then I remembered a promise of a heart bleeding in the dark. Finally it happened -- a smile forming and bullets firing. Now she is dancing in heaven and I'm drinking water.
Love, Kelly
Sun Jun 3 12:25:33 2029
Dear Diary, Today I took a chance. We were waiting for the train and then I remembered a promise of the mouth confessing from the shadows. Slowly it happened -- our legs touching and the body leaping. Now they are murmuring in the shower and I'm exiting the city.
Love, Kelly