The 2021 mania for generative art and NFTs gave opportunities to artists from nontraditional backgrounds, from outside art institutions, and from diverse geographic locations to participate in an art economy. “Heaven Computer,” released independently by pseudonymous Brazilian artist Godmin without the support of any platform or team, stands out to me as a unique and unconventional work, exemplary of the promise of diverse expression through decentralization and self-sovereignty. It’s hard to imagine any platform at the time supporting the unique vaporwave-themed minting experience Godmin personally crafted. But beyond retro nostalgia is a gateway to deeper themes. The interplay between religious symbolism, operating systems, and randomness stood out to me because of to my own fascination with outsider artist Terry Davis’ TempleOS.“Heaven Computer” and Godmin’s later work, “God Observer,” both consider the link between divination and the randomness inherent in generative systems. While rarity and emergence in generative art is often uncritically described in near religious terms, Godmin makes that connection explicit and intentional, showing a playful awareness of the human inclination to perceive meaning in randomness, and how it has inspired (or been manipulated to inspire) awe since ancient times. — 0xDEAFBEEF