Notes on improving Lisp

Abstract

I understand that there is considerable tension between the goal of standardizing Common Lisp and the idea, prominent in Europe, that major improvements should be made in the course of creating an international standard. I agree with the idea that Common Lisp should be standardized as a consolidation of existing practice, and that innovations should be avoided in this process. My experience with the Algol 60 meetings led me to the opinion that innovation and standardization do not mix well. The trading involved in compromising interests in existing ways of doing things is only too compatible with what might be called implicit academic log rolling. "I'll agree that your new idea is great if you'll agree with mine." The result is an unimplementable monstrosity.