Comments on: Holy sh*t. https://habitablezone.com/2012/04/28/holy-sht/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:41:18 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Robert https://habitablezone.com/2012/04/28/holy-sht/#comment-14434 Robert Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:58:40 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=14364#comment-14434 <p>They're looking through the wrong end of the telescope.</p> They keep comparing the power of a 300-qbit quantum computer to a conventional computer the size of the universe, but they ought to be looking at how it compares to the universe itself. It's been estimated that a quantum computer with around 512 qbits could represent the universe. What does that mean exactly? I think of it in terms of a simulation equivalent. You know, the Matrix Scenario. You can create and maintain a universe with 512 qbits, by definition at a resolution equivalent to the "real" universe. It's an exponential scale, true, but all they have to do is add atoms to climb it. Not much longer to 512, I think. As for how you interface to it, it's kind of a moot point when "it" is the universe. It makes its own interface. Don't worry about it. They’re looking through the wrong end of the telescope.

They keep comparing the power of a 300-qbit quantum computer to a conventional computer the size of the universe, but they ought to be looking at how it compares to the universe itself.

It’s been estimated that a quantum computer with around 512 qbits could represent the universe.

What does that mean exactly? I think of it in terms of a simulation equivalent. You know, the Matrix Scenario. You can create and maintain a universe with 512 qbits, by definition at a resolution equivalent to the “real” universe.

It’s an exponential scale, true, but all they have to do is add atoms to climb it. Not much longer to 512, I think.

As for how you interface to it, it’s kind of a moot point when “it” is the universe. It makes its own interface. Don’t worry about it.

]]> By: TB https://habitablezone.com/2012/04/28/holy-sht/#comment-14431 TB Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:32:07 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=14364#comment-14431 <p>Just for perspective,</p> This is the first transistor ever made by Bell Labs in 1947. <img src="http://cnx.org/content/m11315/latest/firsttransistor.gif" alt="transistor" /> The new processor chips produced now, about the size of a postage stamp, contain over 2 billion transistors. Just for perspective,

This is the first transistor ever made by Bell Labs in 1947.

transistor

The new processor chips produced now, about the size of a postage stamp, contain over 2 billion transistors.

]]> By: bowser https://habitablezone.com/2012/04/28/holy-sht/#comment-14428 bowser Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:21:40 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=14364#comment-14428 300 atoms big, but takes a room full of equipment to maintain it. Fascinating project, probably not going to function in our lifetimes. 300 atoms big, but takes a room full of equipment to maintain it. Fascinating project, probably not going to function in our lifetimes.

]]> By: RobVG https://habitablezone.com/2012/04/28/holy-sht/#comment-14426 RobVG Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:04:54 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=14364#comment-14426 <p>Infundibularity</p> How the heck are they going to build up connections to the conventional buses? Infundibularity

How the heck are they going to build up connections to the conventional buses?

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