The Limits of Quantum Computing 228
The Narrative Fallacy writes "Scott Aaronson has posted a draft of his article from this month's Scientific American on the limitations of quantum computers (PDF) discussing the question: Will quantum computers let us transcend the human condition and become as powerful as gods, or are they a physical absurdity destined to be exposed as the twenty-first century's perpetual-motion machine? Aaronson says that while a quantum computer could quickly factor large numbers, and thereby break most of the cryptographic codes used on the Internet today, there's reason to think that not even a quantum computer could solve the crucial class of NP-complete problems efficiently. Aaronson contends that any method for solving NP-complete problems in polynomial time may violate the laws of physics and that this may be a fundamental limitation on technology no different than the second law of thermodynamics or the impossibility of faster-than-light communication."
Re:faster than light first post! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Well...... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:As usual (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Okay Then. (Score:5, Funny)
We need a way to disregard or at least completely reinterpret the laws of physics, and do without money, and all get on, and find entire worlds whose populations all conform to some stereotype.
And are green.
Re:Seems to me... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Well...... (Score:1, Funny)
Pics or it didn't happen!
Re:faster than light first post! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Okay Then. (Score:4, Funny)
Re:The last question... (Score:5, Funny)
I don't think there is sufficient data to give a meaningful answer to these questions.
Re:Well...... (Score:2, Funny)
Pics or it didn't happen!
Best metaphor ever (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Well...... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Well...... (Score:3, Funny)