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Can Our Computers Continue To Get Smaller and More Powerful?
aarondubrow (1866212) writes In a [note, paywalled] review article in this week's issue of the journal Nature (described in a National Science Foundation press release), Igor Markov of the University of Michigan/Google reviews limiting factors in the development of computing systems to help determine what is achievable, in principle and in practice, using today's and emerging technologies. "Understanding these important limits," says Markov, "will help us to bet on the right new techniques and technologies." Ars Technica does a great job of expanding on the various limitations that Markov describes, and the ways in which engineering can push back against them.
> Did our jets get faster and lighter and cheaper?
Yes. Especially lighter and cheaper PER PASSENGER, which is the goal for passenger jets.
> it still takes the same amount of energy to fly across the Atlantic.
Nope, fuel efficiency and energy efficiency have improved significantly.
Next you'll be telling me they'll let us run unsigned code on processors capable of doing so. You need to get onboard, citizens. All fast processing is to occur in monitored silos. Slow processing can be delegated to the personal level, but only with crippled processors that cannot run code that hasn't yet been registered with the authorities and digitally signed. You kids ask the wrong questions. Ungood.
Cloudiot: A person who does not see offsite storage as a way to lose control over access to his or her own data.
In the battle of the eponymous laws, which law rules supreme?
Murphy's Law.