Visualizing live voltage and current data directly on a circuit diagram eliminates mental simulation in electronics

Victor applies the immediate-connection principle to electronic circuit design: rather than viewing a circuit as static schematic symbols (designed for pencil-and-paper), he shows live simulation data — voltage waveforms at every node, current through every component — overlaid directly on the diagram. This makes all variables visible simultaneously without using an oscilloscope. When he changes a resistor value, the waveforms update immediately. He notes that electronic circuit symbols exist because they’re easy to draw with pencil — but on a computer screen, the medium changes what representation is optimal. The deeper point is that any domain using symbolic notation inherited from pre-digital media can be reimagined around live data visibility.

Examples

Instead of drawing a resistor as a zigzag symbol, each component becomes a plot of current through it over time — showing behavior rather than identity. ‘There’s nothing hidden. There’s nothing to simulate in your head.‘

Assessment

Apply Victor’s principle to a domain other than circuits or code (e.g., music production, video editing). Describe what static symbolic representation currently hides that could be made visible as live data.