Connecting the output of a chip to two inputs, where the chip doesn’t drive enough current for both inputs, may cause undefined behavior. Even if one of the input chips is fried.
I just love debugging hardware.
(The fried chip in question was bonded to the PCB – I couldn’t remove it, so I just cut the traces. Everything worked fine after that!)
Why is the chip fried, you ask? It’s because I’m an idiot, and connected Vcc and ground in reverse.
I’m trying to come up with some deep philosophic insight from this experience, but I’m mostly just frustrated…