When I was in college, I remember taking a class in silicon design. At one point, a student remarked, "man, silicon is like... black magic."

"No," the teacher sharply rebuked. "It's governed by well understood and reliable mathematical equations. Though difficult, it is far from magic."

There was a brief pause, the teacher was normally easy going and congenial. His harsh words caught us off guard.

"...antennas on the other hand, that is black magic."