Very true, but for all intents and purposes as long as you get similar non-linearities, the actual design doesn't matter much. People are using neural networks

Very true, but for all intents and purposes as long as you get similar non-linearities, the actual design doesn't matter much. People are using neural networks for this now but I would prefer actual hardware. Bonus points if they can make the chip give off the nixie neon glow (maybe add some heavy metals for Cerenkov radiation?)