[jacquesm]

> If your underlying system is linear and stable

Sure, but that 'If' isn't true for all but the simplest analog systems. Non-linearities are present in the most unexpected places and just about every system can be made to oscillate.

That's the whole reason digital won out: not because we can't make analog computers but because it is impossible to make analog computers beyond a certain level of complexity if you want deterministic behavior. Of course with LLMs we're throwing all of that gain overboard again but the basic premise still holds: if you don't quantize you drown in an accumulation of noise.

[eru]

> Sure, but that 'If' isn't true for all but the simplest analog systems.

Quantum mechanics is linear and stable. Quantum mechanics is behind all systems (analog or otherwise), unless they become big enough that gravity becomes important.

> That's the whole reason digital won out: not because we can't make analog computers but because it is impossible to make analog computers beyond a certain level of complexity if you want deterministic behavior.

It's more to do with precision: analog computers have tolerances. It's easier and cheaper to get to high precision with digital computers. Digital computers are also much easier to make programmable. And in the case of analog vs digital electronic computers: digital uses less energy than analog.