Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The Limits of Quantum Computing

Posted by kdawson on from the floor-wax-and-dessert-topping dept.

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."

3 of 228 comments (clear)

  1. Seems to me... by Smordnys+s'regrepsA · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What does it matter if it is perfect or not? Seems to me that it is much better than what we're working with now.

    If we want to start talking in that tone, well our "micro" processors and new fangled technologies didn't solve the mysteries of the universe, so we should have stuck with computers the size of buildings that have trouble doing more than adding, subtracting, and multiplying. Hell - they were good enough to design the atomic bomb and our space program, and that's good enough for me!


    Besides, does anyone seriously think that we'll gain God-Like-Powers from quantum computing? The only God Mode I expect from the computer starts with the phrase 'iddqd'.

    --
    Just -1, Troll talking to another.
    1. Re:Seems to me... by mrbluze · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Besides, does anyone seriously think that we'll gain God-Like-Powers from quantum computing? The only God Mode I expect from the computer starts with the phrase 'iddqd'.

      If I were offered a single magic power over the physical world it would be either invisibility or the ability to see behind walls. If quantum computing means whoever has it can bust all the crypto's in a realistic time (eg: a second or two), then we have a problem, because that group of people will have God Mode when it comes to money, intelligence, all that. Worse is if we don't know they have quantum computing, then all our shit is belong to them.

      If quantum computing means they can break a crypto in a month whereas before it took them forever, there is hope in that quantum computing will become prevalent before anyone is able to totally compromise all communications. Of course I'm guessing there is no such agency that can do this yet.

      --
      Do it yourself, because no one else will do it yourself. [beta blockade 10-17 Feb]
  2. Nothing in between???? by syousef · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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?

    No, they won't let us defy physical laws and become omnipotent. No, quantum mechanics, being a whole class of physical laws, isn't going to have absolutely no practical use. How about something in between that doesn't come from the over-used plot of a bad sci-fi show?

    --
    These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer