>> Now consider trying to build an electronic computer. Now the problem is
>> that the long connections from component to component act as tiny
>> capacitors, each one a low-pass filter trying to filter out your
>> high-frequency data signals. And the only way to overcome this, it
>> seems, is to use higher and higher voltages.
>
> Not to mention inducing harmonics (yes, even with digital signal) that
> can skew results - or even worse physically damage the device.

Well, I mean, everyone knows that the Fourier series for a square wave 
has transfinite extent...

>> Inertia verses capacitance. Mechanical force verses voltage. It's in
>> interesting parallel...
>
> Not only are both signal analysis and vibration dynamics using the same
> differential equations, they even use the same symbols for schematics
> diagrams (a resistor looks exactly like a spring, a capacitor looks
> exactly like a damper or shock absorber)!

Not any more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistor

According to the IEC, the symbol for a resistor is now supposed to be a 
rectangle, not a zigzag. Personally I think it looks dumb, but hey...

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