Scott Aaronson and Zach Weinersmith explain quantum computing. I wish I’d known this as a kid, and I wouldn’t have wasted all that time trying to get a dead cat to do my math homework for me.
Pharyngula
Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal
that PSA is more helpful than you’d realize. the last panel is a clear reference to deepak chopra.
It happens every time! Just when I think I’m fed up enough to unsubscribe because of the mostly political content of this blog, then PZ goes and posts something like this reminding me why I’ve been subbed for so long. Its because PZ is a geek like me. Keep up the great science posts PZ; they’re why I’m here.
Don’t push the red button (ie that’ll make people push it)
is Zach an xkcd rival?
I actually thought it was actually quite informative about all the blarglefab jargon thrown around about “quantum computing”
let me say:: enlightening. (emphasis on the ‘humorous’ interp of”lightening”)
I would like this to be a first-day’s handout in QM classes. To put smiles on those oh so serious nerds struggling to understand the daunting mathematics used in the QM physics.
I decree it be done.? /*smirk*
Wait… So a quantum computer’s processor is not a series of boxes with cats in them?
“So a quantum computer’s processor is not a series of boxes with cats in them?”
Of course not! They are a series of boxes and non-boxes with cats and non-cats in them.
Some might even have cephalopodic non-cats in the boxes and non-boxes, depending on the interferences and non-interferences. It’s all very simple if you think and don’t think about it.
Ah, I get it. The box is to keep the universe from seeing what’s going on in there.
Gotta wonder what that box is made of, really.
@Torish. PZ has never been one to hide his politics. If it does upset you enough to contemplate unsubscribing, perhaps you should.
I think the very last panel is a clear jab at Deepak Chopra, eh?
@gijoel #7
Like I said, I will choose to keep my sub with gems like this web comic and PZ’s biology posts coming through somewhat regularly. Sometimes, though, the political posts seem to dominate for weeks at a time. I have my own opinions on political issues, which are more often than not on the same side of the divide as PZ. Also, sometimes I really enjoy the current events posts he does even political ones. Constant politics, however, grow mundane pretty quickly for me. Politics are simly not a passion for me like science is. So, if what you’re saying is that this blog is not a place that welcomes people who are passionate about science and atheism then maybe you’re right and people like me should leave. Personally, though, I suspect PZ doesn’t mind, and maybe even appreciates, the occasional dissenting opinion. This place is for free thought after all.
@Torish #9
To each their own I guess. Don’t know what that has to do with dissenting opinions though, reading the comments regularly I can assure you PZ gets plenty dissenting opinions in here. And apart from that, anyone’s free to read the blog, even if some are blocked from commenting. I’m sure PZ isn’t going to get his knickers in a twist just because a reader has slightly different preferences than he does.
I’m down with the political talk.
@slivey tove # 3.
http://thedailywtf.com/articles/The_Big_Red_Button
The old IBM red button disaster.
The moral of the story is, if there’s a big red button, inevitably, someone will push it.