Super Fast Computations. The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.
Last week, I provided a take discussing why developmental biologists think anthrobots made from a person’s own tissue could be used to clear arteries, break up mucus, or deliver drugs, with or without genetic engineering, and how this may change our lives in the very near future.
This week, influenced by a 60 Minutes segment last Sunday night, I dive into the world of quantum computing and how it will also change our lives. As a baseline, here is why quantum computing is so important: Quantum computing is a multidisciplinary field comprising aspects of computer science, physics, and mathematics that utilizes quantum mechanics to solve complex problems faster than on classical computers. The field of quantum computing includes hardware research and application development.
So what to “solve complex problems faster than on classical computers?” Do we not have supercomputing capabilities to solve problems in a faster way? Do we not have powerful computing right now that provides simulations to solve problems with energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation?
The answer to these questions = yes, but let’s try to compare today’s powerful computing with what quantum computing will offer up. Without exploring quantum computing dynamics that I cannot understand, here is the basic performance premise:
Computing for the most part was developed on a binary platform, which we all use day in and day out. With the exponential increase in the volumes of data to process, binary computing (1’s and 0’s) limit the performance, speed, and results with processing applications and analytics. In summary, classical (binary) computers generally return one result, limiting the power of decisions.
Quantum computing allows simultaneous analysis allowing data to be processed at amazing speed, providing multi-dimensional analysis and analytics. Unlike binary processing, quantum computers return a diversity of results, offering a much better and faster solution to data analysis and workflow, and a much higher rate of validity of that data.
Multi-dimensional analysis derived from quantum computing that even I can understand…sort of:
Processing data in multi-dimensional space enables a quantum computer to solve a large set of variables simultaneously, which dramatically accelerates the results. This example is from the QCI, a technology company focusing on quantum computing:
- Let’s take a simple problem (a 4×4) that has 16 potential combinations that could meet a constrained objective.
- Classic computers have to check the validity of each option to see if it is true or false that it meets the criteria.
- Thanks to multi-dimensional analysis, a quantum computer can check all sixteen options simultaneously.
- Now apply that to problems with hundreds of thousands of potential combinations and you see the power of quantum computing.
Now that I have put you to sleep, let’s just net out the benefits of quantum computing. Quantum computing is a new generation of technology that involves a type of computer 158 million times faster than the most sophisticated supercomputer we have in the world today. It is a device so powerful that it could do in four minutes what it would take a traditional supercomputer 10,000 years to accomplish. This is all very difficult for me to comprehend, but if you find last Sunday’s 60 Minutes segment or watch the video below, the reality of what quantum computing can and will do is mind-boggling.
In the last few weeks I have discussed artificial intelligence (AI), androids and anthrobots, and now quantum computing. My point is that these three complex technologies combined have and will continue to change our lives. For the better, or for the worse, you can decide.
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly
Orlando’s fixed-price restaurant month between August and September raised $270,000 for various charities in central Florida. A very cool way to give back.
Regarding central Florida, the weather here is so nice. I can wait a long time for the ninety-degree weather that starts as early as mid-May.
Have you been to Nepal? My Lyft driver, who has been in New York City for seven years, gave me the run down on this land-locked country which sits between India and China in South Asia. Yes, this is the region of the world known for the Himalayas and Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world. I am not a ‘trekker’ but I would like to visit this part of the world.
Two Mega-Millions jackpot tickets were sold at the same convenience store in California. Come on conspiracy theorists!!
Speaking of money…..The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani to a ten-year, $700 million contract. Enough said.
I am in Brooklyn and then Manhattan for the next few days. If you take away the mass amount of humans, Manhattan is glowing during the holiday season.
While I am in Manhattan, I will stop by Rockefeller Center to look at the massive Christmas tree and the ice-skating fun. Here is what I will not be doing atop Rockefeller Center:
As if Elon Musk is not strange enough, take a look at Tesla’s new Cybertruck. I have been involved with the world of design/build for a long time. I have always challenged designers to ‘think out of the box’ and provide a myriad of creative concepts. Those design concepts are vetted and narrow casted into a final design that achieves the goals, objectives, and criteria of the project. Regarding the Cybertruck, who the hell approved this design?
Seriously?
The Israel-Gaza and Russia-Ukraine wars are obviously top-of-mind. My head in the sand moment: reading that there are forty-five other conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, twenty-one in Asia, seven in Europe, and six in Latin America. Think territory, religion, greed, and drugs. Sad, but true.
As the holidays approach, and considering the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in today’s world, let’s end the year with a feel good moment. The Masaka Kids Africana is composed of children who have lost one or both parents due to “the devastation of war, famine, and disease”. Their goal is to empower children by mobilizing communities and support them with more structured education. The Masaka Kids are from Uganda. Enjoy.
I am traveling and celebrating the Holidays and will post again on Sunday, January 7th of the new year. Best wishes to all for Happy Holidays, and a safe and fulfilling 2024!