Continuing our Quantum Computing Crash (Collision?) Course to get you ready for our upcoming performance of BOUNDED IN A NUTSHELL (help us BUILD A NUTSHELL HERE) –
Einstein put it best. Quantum Mechanics is “spooky action at a distance.”
The whole notion that things become weirder and weirder the closer to the heart of the atom you get may be familiar to some. But to those who aren’t familiar with the whole concept – I’ve started compiling a crash course for the initiated to get a taste of the world that’s explored in our upcoming performance BOUNDED IN A NUTSHELL.
Not that you need to be an expert – or really know anything – about ANY OF THIS CRAZY SHIT to enjoy the upcoming show. Myself? I’m much more scientific romantic than scientific pragmatist – so I’m taking a dollop of a scientific theory and some scientific fact and loosely weaving it into something a little zany that explores how human relationships – like quantum physics – get weirder and weirder the closer and closer you get to the heart of them.
But quantum computing is a real science that may be something we’re all using in some form or another in the next 50 years.
The whole idea is this: your personal computer is basically a machine built out of switches. Each switch can either be “on” OR “off.” That’s just basic physics. It’s like a light bulb. It can either be ON or it can be OFF. IT CAN’T BE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
Well…
The deeper into an atom you go – the rules of physics change. You could – theoretically – have a light bulb that was ON AND OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY.
Mind f###?? You bet!
Quantum computing rests on the theory that if you could build one of those afore mentioned computer switches on a quantum particle (a qubit) – and make that switch work according to that quantum particle’s rules – you could have a switch that was “ON” AND “OFF” SIMULTANEOUSLY. Therefore – with all those switches being “on” and “off” simultaneously – your computer could do infinitely more work at a faster pace than your regular personal computer could.
Think of it this way – the computer you’re reading this on can operate 100 million instructions per second. That’s impressive.
A 300 qubit quantum computer can store more numbers than there are atoms in the observable universe.
Put that in your pipe of mind-boggle and smoke it.
Care to read more?
A crib-sheet on Quantum Computing
Great article from Enviromental Periodical GREENBANG
Nice ‘What-The-Hell-IS-A-Quantum-Computer article from Ars Technica
Some recent developments from MSNBC
More to come. Stay tuned.
mutant peepshow 
