Consider different fading systems

.gitignore

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+*-autoloads.el
+*.elc

README.org

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-* Oblique strategies 
+* Oblique strategies
 
 "In 1975, Peter Schmidt and Brian Eno created the original pack of Oblique Strategies cards, through thinking about approaches to their own work as artist and musician. The Oblique Strategies constitute a set of over 100 cards, each of which is a suggestion of a course of action or thinking to assist in creative situations. These famous cards have been used by many artists and creative people all over the world since their initial publication." https://www.enoshop.co.uk/product/oblique-strategies.html
 
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@
 
 * Acute tactics
 
-"Each card contains a phrase or cryptic remark which can be used to break a deadlock or dilemma situation. Some are specific to music composition; others are more general." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oblique_Strategies 
+"Each card contains a phrase or cryptic remark which can be used to break a deadlock or dilemma situation. Some are specific to music composition; others are more general." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oblique_Strategies
 
-"Throughout the world people have realized a universality among these word combinations: they speak to the mind, to the heart and to the gut. Whatever obstacles a person may find in their life, meditating on one of these strategies can help a person focus towards their goal. These oblique strategies never provide answers, but they give a person impetus to look somewhere they hadn't thought of looking before. It's like having someone look over your shoulder and point out something you overlooked." https://h2g2.com/entry/A635528  
+"Throughout the world people have realized a universality among these word combinations: they speak to the mind, to the heart and to the gut. Whatever obstacles a person may find in their life, meditating on one of these strategies can help a person focus towards their goal. These oblique strategies never provide answers, but they give a person impetus to look somewhere they hadn't thought of looking before. It's like having someone look over your shoulder and point out something you overlooked." https://h2g2.com/entry/A635528
 
 Oblique strategies can be installed manually from [[https://github.com/zzkt/oblique-strategies][github]]
 
@@ -24,14 +24,18 @@ A cryptic remark can be produced when needed using =M-x oblique-strategy= or mor
 
 "The purpose of this document is to provide a listing of the complete contents of all three versions of the Oblique Strategies. While my interest in doing so is scholarly, readers may be interested in constructing their own "meta-set" of all three editions of the decks, or in looking at what is added or deleted." http://music.hyperreal.org/artists/brian_eno/osfaq2.html
 
-"I do this with hesitation. The following list is unarguably copyrighted by Brian Eno himself, and will no doubt be removed from this guide entry by some uninspired lawyer. The intent of this document is not to gain financially at the expense of anyone, but to spread the knowledge of this little known but really keen neato cool idea." https://h2g2.com/entry/A635528 
+"I do this with hesitation. The following list is unarguably copyrighted by Brian Eno himself, and will no doubt be removed from this guide entry by some uninspired lawyer. The intent of this document is not to gain financially at the expense of anyone, but to spread the knowledge of this little known but really keen neato cool idea." https://h2g2.com/entry/A635528
 
-Several editions of the Oblique Strategies have be produced, published, explored and transcribed. *Edition 1 (1975), *Edition 2 (1978), *Edition 3 (1979)*, *Edition 4 (1996)* of Oblique Strategies © 1975, 1978, 1979, and 2002 Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt. An unofficial *Condensed Edition (2001)* "is a condensed version of all four of the original versions, and also includes examples from Brian Eno's own publically published diary, as well as a version made public by the Whole Earth Catalog." https://h2g2.com/entry/A635528 
+Several editions of the Oblique Strategies have be produced, published, explored and transcribed. *Edition 1 (1975), *Edition 2 (1978), *Edition 3 (1979)*, *Edition 4 (1996)* of Oblique Strategies © 1975, 1978, 1979, and 2002 Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt. An unofficial *Condensed Edition (2001)* "is a condensed version of all four of the original versions, and also includes examples from Brian Eno's own publically published diary, as well as a version made public by the Whole Earth Catalog." https://h2g2.com/entry/A635528
 
 To use a specific edition set the variable =oblique-edition= for example...
 
-  - using a file name =(setq oblique-edition "strategies/oblique-strategies-edition-4.txt")= 
+ - using a file name =(setq oblique-edition "strategies/oblique-strategies-edition-4.txt")=
-  - or customize (using the name of the edition) =M-x customize-group RET oblique-strategies RET= 
+ - or customize (using the name of the edition) =M-x customize-group RET oblique-strategies RET=
+
+Other related (or unrelated) sources of inspiration and misdirection can be consulted, such as
+- [[https://curatorsintl.org/records/20290-do-it-home][do it (home)]] version: 5.7.2020  =(setq oblique-edition "strategies/do-it-abridged.txt")=
+- [[https://kevinlawler.com/prompts][Prompts for Programmers]]  =(setq oblique-edition "strategies/prompts-for-programmers.txt")=
 
 * Further
   - [[https://www.enoshop.co.uk/product/oblique-strategies.html][Physical Non-Musical]] (Eno Shop)

oblique.el

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 ;; Author: nik gaffney <nik@fo.am>
 ;; Created: 2011-11-11
 ;; Version: 0.1
-;; Keywords: strategy, tactics, creativity
+;; Keywords: strategy, tactics, creativity, tools
 ;; URL: https://github.com/zzkt/oblique-strategies
 
 ;; This file is not part of GNU Emacs.
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 ;; is a set of published cards created by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt
 ;; first published in 1975, and is now in its fifth, open ended, edition.
 ;; Each card contains a phrase or cryptic remark which can be used to break
-;; a deadlock or dilemma situation.  Some are specific to music composition; 
+;; a deadlock or dilemma situation.  Some are specific to music composition;
 ;; others are more general."
 ;;         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oblique_Strategies
 ;;
@@ -51,49 +51,60 @@
 ;;
 ;; Oblique Strategies © 1975, 1978, 1979, and 2002 Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt
 
-;;; Revision history:
+;;; Configuration:
-;; 
-;;  - 2011-11-11 - protoversion, collection, collation
-;;  - 2019-12-12 - melpa emersion, stochastism
 
+;; with use-package...
+;;   (use-package litanize
+;;      :config (defalias 'insert-litany #'litanize-at-point)
+;;              (setq oblique-edition
+;;                    "strategies/oblique-strategies-condensed.txt")
+;;      :bind (("H-i l" . insert-litany)))
+
+;;; Revision history:
+;;
+;;  - 2011-11-11 - protoversion, collection, collation
+;;  - 2019-12-12 - emersion, stochastism
+;;  - 2023-04-05 - emacs 29 compatibility (via @PuercoPop)
 
 ;;; Code:
 
 (defgroup oblique-strategies nil
-  "Once the search has begun, something will be found"
+  "Once the search has begun, something will be found."
   :group 'stochastism)
 
 (defcustom oblique-edition "strategies/oblique-strategies-condensed.txt"
   "Which edition of the Oblique Strategies to draw from?"
   :group 'oblique-strategies
   :type  '(choice
-	   (const :tag "Condensed Edition (2001)" :value "strategies/oblique-strategies-condensed.txt")
+           (const :tag "Condensed Edition (2001)" :value "strategies/oblique-strategies-condensed.txt")
-	   (const :tag "Edition 4 (1996)" :value "strategies/oblique-strategies-edition-4.txt")
+           (const :tag "Edition 4 (1996)" :value "strategies/oblique-strategies-edition-4.txt")
-	   (const :tag "Edition 3 (1979)" :value "strategies/oblique-strategies-edition-3.txt")
+           (const :tag "Edition 3 (1979)" :value "strategies/oblique-strategies-edition-3.txt")
-	   (const :tag "Edition 2 (1978)" :value "strategies/oblique-strategies-edition-2.txt")
+           (const :tag "Edition 2 (1978)" :value "strategies/oblique-strategies-edition-2.txt")
-	   (const :tag "Edition 1 (1975)" :value "strategies/oblique-strategies-edition-1.txt")))
+           (const :tag "Edition 1 (1975)" :value "strategies/oblique-strategies-edition-1.txt")
+           ))
 
-(defun read-lines (file)
+(defun oblique--read (file)
-  "Read a file into a list of lines."
+  "Read FILE into a list of lines."
   (with-temp-buffer
-    (insert-file-contents (expand-file-name
+      (insert-file-contents (expand-file-name
-			   file (file-name-directory load-file-name)))
+                             file (file-name-directory load-file-name)))
     (split-string (buffer-string) "\n" t)))
 
-(defvar strategies (read-lines oblique-edition))
+(defvar oblique-strategies (oblique--read oblique-edition))
 
-(defun random-elt (list)
+(defun oblique--elt (list)
+  "Return a random element from LIST."
   (nth (random (length list)) list))
 
 ;;;###autoload
 (defun oblique-strategy ()
-  "An obique strategy."
+  "An oblique strategy."
   (interactive)
-  (random-elt strategies))
+  (oblique--elt oblique-strategies))
 
 ;;;###autoload
-(defun insert-oblique-strategy ()
+(defun oblique-strategy-at-point ()
-  "Insert an obique strategy at point."
+  "Insert an oblique strategy at point."
   (interactive)
   (insert (oblique-strategy)))
 

strategies/do-it-abridged.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+Let’s try one of the infinite ways to start.
+Wash your hands—it creates expectation.
+Locate a television with a generous selection of satellite offerings.
+Utilize the fibonacci sequence.
+Marvel the stunning mediocrity of our manmade wonder.
+Allow contraction and expansion of the ego in a tempo that feels pleasurable, modulating it as you would your sphincter
+Return to any step of the instruction in tandem with your curiosity
+Following Gertrude Stein, every now and then sit with your back on nature.
+Type the name of your favorite top 40 song
+Press Enter
+Do not sweep the floor for a week.
+Sweep all the accumulated dust into one large pile.
+Watch the orderly centralized pile disintegrate into a chaotic decentralized field.
+Collect all the remote controls.
+Remove all the images, words, and numbers.
+Ask someone who is unfamiliar with the system.
+Turn off the lights.
+Using a pipe and a cable detector locate all the cables and metalwork hidden below the surface of chosen wall. Loosely mark their location using a light blue pencil.
+Watch TV with the sound turned off for one hour.
+CLEAR YOUR MIND OF ALL THOUGHTS
+DEFINE SOMETHING THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOMPLISH. MAP OUT THE PLAN. DO IT.
+Do something that is: visually striking, socially radical, conceptually and contextually sensitive, sustainable, in the public domain (outside of art venues), and hurts no living thing—something that will change the world.
+Study for time.
+move your finger up and down for one minute every morning.
+Write down your fears on a white square piece of rice paper.
+Repeat until you have a garden.
+Use any material or objects.
+Apply glitter on your eyes and glabella and roll your eyes up to see the starry sky.
+What about a game, like the Game Of Twenty Questions.
+Close your eyes, concentrate, and blow.
+Imagine and invent five titles of books that you would like all children to read and enjoy.
+Remember, these books don’t exist.

strategies/prompts-for-programmers.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+Look for a hack.
+Look for a good enough approximation.
+Have faith in sound-looking abstractions.
+Forget about optimizing your code.
+Solve the problem directly.
+Feats are fragile.
+Build a theory of the problem.
+Shear off a layer.
+Get red and green right before mixing yellow.
+A blink lasts 300 milliseconds.
+Zoom in.
+Add constraints.
+Mark it: WONTFIX
+Write the README
+Verify your fears, explicitly.
+Keep calm.
+Take a closer look.
+Is it the bug you think it is?
+Is it a typo?
+Stop and think.
+If you lack motivation, find the most interesting thing and branch from there.
+Work append-only.
+Run through the thornbushes.
+Change your mind.
+Power through.
+Look for ways to chain tools.
+Backtrack.
+Flip the problem around.
+Work forward from where the unfinished part of the code suggests you should.
+List dependencies to determine order of completion.
+Try the naïve method first.
+Do it both ways.
+Verify that your assumptions are correct.
+Every bug hunt is at worst a log time search through the code base.
+Write down everything you know about the problem.
+This process usually converges: If you're stuck, finish some remaining piece. Then go back and check to see what new possibilities opened up. Repeat.
+Form hypothesis, test hypothesis, repeat.
+Have opinions.
+Have goals and subdivide them.
+Do it the wrong way.
+Do something.
+Put the problem aside and work on something else.
+A line has two sides.
+Allow an easement (an easement is the abandonment of a stricture).
+Always, first steps.
+Ask your body.
+Breathe deeply.
+Cascades.
+Consider changing nothing, continue with immaculate consistency.
+Cluster analysis.
+Consult other sources.
+Courage!
+Cut a vital connection.
+Decorate,  decorate.
+"Define an area as 'safe' and use it as an anchor."
+Discard an axiom.
+Disconnect from desire.
+"Don't be afraid of things because they're easy to do."
+"Don't be frightened of cliches."
+"Don't break the silence."
+Do some clean up.
+Do the names need changing?
+Emphasize differences.
+Emphasize repetition.
+Emphasize the flaws.
+Give way to your worst impulse.
+Honor the error as a hidden intention.
+How would you have done it?
+Infinitesimal gradations.
+Is it finished?
+Is there something missing?
+Keep going.
+Look at a very small object, look at its centre.
+Look at the order in which you are doing things.
+Make an exhaustive list of everything you could do. Do the last thing on the list.
+Make a sudden, destructive unpredictable action; incorporate.
+Remove ambiguities and convert to specifics.
+Remove specifics and convert to ambiguities.
+Repetition is a form of change.
+Go the other direction.
+Take a break.
+Stand up.
+Look away for a while.
+Tidy up.
+Twist the spine.
+Use an old idea.
+Water.
+What were you really thinking about just now? Incorporate.
+What mistakes did you make last time?
+What would someone you admire do?
+What wouldn't you do?
+Work at a different speed.
+You are an engineer.
+Take a walk.
+Look to the left and the right.
+Stretch your neck.