(no subject)
Aug. 22nd, 2007 08:44 pmAn independent tech start-up in BC is saying that they've made a breakthrough in quantum computing.
This is interesting for two reasons:
1. They're not interested in advancing quantum physics - they just want to build a really fast computer.
2. They're not funded by the US government.
Quantum computing completely blows my mind. I will freely admit that I don't get quantum mechanics, but considering how few people do, I can live with that. But I love the idea of quantum computing, which is essentially to build a computer that functions on the principle of something being not just a binary yes or no, but yes or no, and yes AND no at once. (See the wiki for details).
What grabs me about the above linked start-up is that they're trying to just engineer the thing, without being interested in the whys - it's the ultimate in applied over basic research, and it's not being funded by the NSA. Or any other part of the US government. Both of which fund basic research solely in order to reap the technological benefits that are supposed to naturally come along with advances in theory. Meanwhile, most scientists say that quantum computing won't be realized for decades. Oh the lulz.
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According to a recent study:
After 199 pages of detail on everything from automatic picking machines to consumer packaging, the researchers find no strong evidence that locally sourced foods are better, in environmental terms at least, than global produce - and in some cases the opposite is true.
Financial Times
Sarah Murray
April 28 2007
Yes, thank you. My god. I am so tired of sanctimonious, ignorant enviro-fascists and their constant admonishments to buy local. It sickens me that environmental awareness has been reduced to the level of fashion, with all these Live Earth wristband wearing jackasses waiting to follow, sheep-like, Al Gore's every offhand advisement about better living through ecological sainthood, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE THEY UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE AT HAND. I miss the goddamn hippies.
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Mahnahmahnah!
This is interesting for two reasons:
1. They're not interested in advancing quantum physics - they just want to build a really fast computer.
2. They're not funded by the US government.
Quantum computing completely blows my mind. I will freely admit that I don't get quantum mechanics, but considering how few people do, I can live with that. But I love the idea of quantum computing, which is essentially to build a computer that functions on the principle of something being not just a binary yes or no, but yes or no, and yes AND no at once. (See the wiki for details).
What grabs me about the above linked start-up is that they're trying to just engineer the thing, without being interested in the whys - it's the ultimate in applied over basic research, and it's not being funded by the NSA. Or any other part of the US government. Both of which fund basic research solely in order to reap the technological benefits that are supposed to naturally come along with advances in theory. Meanwhile, most scientists say that quantum computing won't be realized for decades. Oh the lulz.
***
According to a recent study:
After 199 pages of detail on everything from automatic picking machines to consumer packaging, the researchers find no strong evidence that locally sourced foods are better, in environmental terms at least, than global produce - and in some cases the opposite is true.
Financial Times
Sarah Murray
April 28 2007
Yes, thank you. My god. I am so tired of sanctimonious, ignorant enviro-fascists and their constant admonishments to buy local. It sickens me that environmental awareness has been reduced to the level of fashion, with all these Live Earth wristband wearing jackasses waiting to follow, sheep-like, Al Gore's every offhand advisement about better living through ecological sainthood, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE THEY UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE AT HAND. I miss the goddamn hippies.
***
Mahnahmahnah!