Quantum Computing and the Limits of the Efficiently Computable - 2011 Buhl Lecture

Scott Aaronson, an expert in the realm of computational complexity theory and the founder of ComplexityZoo.com online encyclopedia of computational complexity theory delivered Carnegie Mellon University's 2011 Buhl Lecture.

In his lecture titled "Quantum Computing and the Limits of the Efficiently Computable," Aaronson discusses what quantum computers are, whether they can be built on a large scale, and what's known today about their capabilities and limitations. He goes beyond quantum computers to touch on speculative models of computation, including closed time-like curves and nonlinearities in the Schrodinger equation — an equation that describes how the quantum state of a physical system changes in time.

An associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Aaronson's work on the subject of quantum computing has included limitations of quantum algorithms in the black-box model, the learnability of quantum states, and quantum versus classical proofs and advice. He writes a popular blog (www.scottaaronson.com/blog).

For more on the Buhl Lectures, visit: http://www.cmu.edu/physics/seminars-a...

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[crackedout123]

i like the bit where he says "nkay?"

[Gauss156]

This guy is both brilliant and hilarious. Interesting stuff

[feastures]

The problem of people not understanding QC, is that nobody clearly explains what it is.

[quelorepario]

Which means how grossly incorrect are the analogies to actual scientific phenomena to make the common man even grasp the surface of what is actually going on. To most layman it is so abstract that they have no problem equating it to fables and religious myths.

So, yeah, I would argue about the brilliance of banalizing science to meat heads. Just look at this video's comments and you will see the result of such popularization: 13 yr olds debating about this when they barely can solve algebra.

[quelorepario]

This guy is thousand times better explaining extremely advanced concepts than most math professors in the world. Even with his awkwardness @ public speaking, he makes it really enjoyable and simple to follow.

If any of you didn't get it, go back to your textbooks, pay attention in class, and finish school.

[Cochuyt Gino]

mmkay Mr mackey

[RoyManter]

stop that, monster!

[jdotpenneyatcomputer]

ok, can't handle it, I'm bailing

[jdotpenneyatcomputer]

ok, so maybe he's nervous.  but I really wanted to know about this stuff and it was SO PAINFUL!

[jdotpenneyatcomputer]

wow. I could barely listen to this. such valuable information, but nearly non-digestible.