The difference between SPICE models and, say, drug discovery is for FETs, we have a
lot of data to test the (fitted) model. We used to ensure it fit the real MOSFETs at different temperatures, dimensions, different drain/gate inputs, etc.
On top of that, since there is so much variance in transistors within one fab process, circuit designers ensure their designs work with a fairly wide margin. So the accuracy of the SPICE model is not really that important.
There is no equivalent in cancer treatments.
> As engineers we think that's fine (all models are wrong but some are useful, etc.), but pure mathematicians seem to find it unthinkable.
I'm sure they know how real engineering works (and they either admire or sneer). But of course, they cannot bear such a workflow for their own research.
On top of that, since there is so much variance in transistors within one fab process, circuit designers ensure their designs work with a fairly wide margin. So the accuracy of the SPICE model is not really that important.
There is no equivalent in cancer treatments.
> As engineers we think that's fine (all models are wrong but some are useful, etc.), but pure mathematicians seem to find it unthinkable.
I'm sure they know how real engineering works (and they either admire or sneer). But of course, they cannot bear such a workflow for their own research.