We admire digital systems for several of their rare computational attributes, such as repeatability (for a given chip), consistency (over each chip) and accuracy. Chips are perfect! These attributes are seldom found in our non-digital worldly experiences. The early mariners often desired to keep track of time to a greater degree of accuracy than could be obtained by just looking at the stars. Knowing that some clocks run fast, and others slow, they often brought several clocks on board, and determined the "actual" time by taking the average of the observed times. This was "good enough". Consider the following facts:
When GM manufactures thousands of 230 HP motors and tests them for performance, why do they not discard those that have a HP between 231 and 233? What if a motor gets an average performance over diverse road conditions of 21 mpg rather than the rated performance of 20 mpg; do we discard this engine, or sell it at a premium? Many clothes manufacturers have special retail outlets where they sell slightly flawed products at a discount. The same is true for many other items, such as china. Your own automobile currently has at least one of the following flaws: a burned-out light bulb, a tear in the upholstery, a non-functional horn, the need for a tune-up, at least one tire in need of replacement, or brakes that need adjustment. Yet, you allowed your spouse to take your children to school today in this car. Get real folks — most of the world deals not need this "repeatability, consistency or accuracy", but rather "just good enough". The world accepts "analog computation", where everyone?s watch in the room indicates a slightly different time. Digital systems engineers should join the mariners and see how they can take advantage of this so far untapped luxury and freedom.
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