Monday, November 22, 2004

Re: Quantum Computing??

I hope something as fast as the quantum computer is possible though. That would really be neat. But so far, unless quantum mechanics can be rationally explained, I see no hope for it.

I don't know much about quantum computers but from whatever I know about quantum mechanics, I wouldn't call it irrational... no way. It may not follow directly from common sense but it is mathematically sound and explains things at the microscopic level. The quest for the 'grand unified theory' won't lead us anywhere for quite some time... that's what I feel... it will be way too complicated. And we have two theories to explain phenomena at two totally different levels - general relativity and quantum mechanics. So we aren't lost...

Coming to the question about 'rationality'. You wouldn't call the theory of gravitation irrational, would you? After all, why the hell should two bodies attract each other just because they have mass and that too with the inverse square law? But it's something we've gotten used to. Unfortunately, quantum mechanics is not so simple and it would take a lot to get 'used to' it. But the theory's amazing. Whether quantum computing can become a reality is a totally different question...

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