Quantum Computing Regulation Already?

RMX writes "A new CNet article discusses the possibility of regulating quantum computing. We already see our top tier US VCs investing in Quantum computing companies outside the country. Apparently the feds seem to think regulating the amount of technology that can be sent overseas will make the US safer." From the article: "Only rough prototypes of quantum computers presently exist. But if a large-scale model can be built, in theory it could break codes used to scramble information on the Internet, in banking, and within federal agencies. A certain class of encryption algorithms relies for security on the near-impossibility of factoring large numbers quickly. But quantum computers, at least on paper, can do that calculation millions of times faster than a conventional microprocessor. "

Comments

Catch 22

[roman_mir]

By reading the regulations we change them, so we can't ever know what they actually are.

Re:Catch 22

[mmell]

(Announcer): And it's Neptune's Folly in a quantum finish

(Prof. Farnsworth): No fair - you changed the outcome by observing it!

On Paper?

[ufamsm]

"quantum computers, at least on paper, can do that calculation millions of times faster than a conventional microprocessor."
Wow, imagine what they can do on silicone!

Re:On Paper?

[richdun]

Or even on silicon!

Though what they can do with silicone may be much more, uh, er, entertaining.

Re:On Paper?

[BarryNorton]

imagine what they can do on silicone

Breast implants?

Re:On Paper?

[Anonymous Coward]

You can look, but you can't touch...

or

You can touch, but you can't look.

Re:On Paper?

[SlashSquatch]

Reminds me of a joke I made up and I was the only one who ever laughed at:

Difference between silicon and silicone? Upgrade your computer with the former. Upgrade your old lady with the latter.

If you outlaw quantum computing

[Anonymous Coward]

Only outlaws will have quantum computing.

Re:If you outlaw quantum computing

[Thud457]

correction :

"If you outlaw quantum computing,
only outlaws might have quantum computing."

Pah!

[Anonymous Coward]

Quantum mechanics is just a theory, so Quantum Computers will never work.

Like the Kansas Board of Education, we need to proactively discard these so-called "scientific theories" and go back to Intelligently Designed machines, like the abacus.

'Cause Prohibition *Always* Works so Well!

[adavies42]

OK, who wants to write shors-algorithm-in-4-lines-of-perl, so we can start putting it in our sigs?

Waiter...

[fahrbot-bot]

the quantum computers that have been built are NOT in silicon either -- in fact, they're not really based on semiconductors at all. ... They're currently (basically) a test-tube full of specially constructed "soup"

Which leads to the inevitable: Waiter, is that a Quantum Computer in my soup? I ordered noodles.

Re:Pah! -- Yes, it can't be real!

[Nom du Keyboard]

Like the Kansas Board of Education, we need to proactively discard these so-called "scientific theories" and go back to Intelligently Designed machines, like the abacus.

Yes, anything we can't see ourselves probably isn't real and can only be explained by a higher power. Nobody has seen 4 billion years of Evolution actually happen, so it probably didn't.

And everyone who looks at a Q-bit sees something different!

Re:Why can't other countries develope their own?

[Phisbut]

Even if the US regulates what can be exported, how will that stop other countries from developing their own quantum computers with the same technology?

PATENTS!!!

On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies

[Anonymous Coward]

Hmm, I can see it working like this...

Fed1: All your q are belong to US!
Fed2: Drop that photon to the ground, Mr Jones, and kick it slowly towards me.
Fed3: And don't try anything silly with those quarks you're hiding. In our world, sonny, the state quantizes YOU!!!
Mr Jones: Don't do it! Don't do it! I was only trying to flip my electron!