Apr 6, 2026, 12:50 AM

Deep in the datasheets of old obsolete TTL chips, I discovered people once taught semiconductors to dream.

I like this model. Have you been dreaming? What has the imaginary processor in your head been computing lately? Where is the output data going?

$Data flow diagram from an old chip datasheet. A data bus labeled "X" flows in from outside the frame to a box labeled "16x16 multiplier". A bus labelled "P" flows out of the multiplier to two additional boxes labeled "Imaginary Microprocessor" and "Real Microprocessor." A bus labeled "Y" flows out of the so-called real processor to both the multiplier, and the so-called imaginary microprocessor. A "real data" bus flows off frame to the top left, as does an "imaginary data" bus, both from their respective microprocessors. If you are uncertain of the point of this post: what's an entire CPU dedicated to "imaginary" data doing? It's impacting "real" data. ( and yes I know about imaginary numbers. Those involve fractals, I love ferns, and ferns are fractal, I'm making a metaphor about dreams )$