Analog Revival: Learning Computation with Springs, Op‑Amps, and Water

Analog Revival reframes old techniques—mechanical integrators, RC filters, op‑amp summers—as bite‑sized teaching tools for modern computing intuition. In this 7‑minute panel Philip and Shauna introduce why building and playing with simple analog rigs accelerates understanding of signals, feedback, and optimization without heavy math. We highlight three compact demonstrations you can grasp quickly: a mechanical integrator to show accumulation, an RC network to visualize filtering and time constants, and an op‑amp summer illustrating weighted addition. The episode is designed for listeners short on time: each idea links to practical starter parts, safety tips, and one small experiment you can complete in an evening. Listeners leave with a clearer mental model of continuous systems, concrete low‑cost projects, and pointers for turning tactile experiments into classroom or personal learning experiences.