Nothing is being lost in the process as long as we continue to churn out people who are still interested in the low-level bits of the process.<p>I used to point out to people that the control algorithm they were so laboriously writing on their PIC&#x2F;AVR (now Arduino...) could be replaced with a 20 cent transistor and a handful of diodes and resistors. For exactly the same reason: the overkill bugged me and I was bothered that &quot;kids today&quot; weren&#x27;t learning things &quot;the right way.&quot;
Then I began to shut up because I realized I was looking at progress. We don&#x27;t need experts in analog electronics to build basic control systems: a web hacker who learns C can handle the simple stuff (emphasis on <i>simple</i>).<p>Likewise, I now find myself telling others to forget about building 555 timer circuits or elaborate digital contraptions to sequence their LEDs and relays and just buy a $5 Arduino Nano and get it done in a few minutes.<p>It&#x27;s progress!