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Mundane!

Patrick points me to Working for the Revolution by Freeman Dyson, which is a review of
Faust in Copenhagen: A Struggle for the Soul of Physics by Gino Segrè which contains this gem:

Theoretical physicists are now divided into two main factions. Those who
look forward to another revolution mostly believe that it will grow out of
a grand mathematical scheme known as string theory. Those who are content
with the outcome of the old revolution are mostly studying more mundane
subjects such as high-temperature superconductors and quantum computers.
String theory may be considered to be the counterattack of those who lost
the debate over complementarity in physics in Copenhagen in 1932. It is
the revenge of the heirs of Einstein against the heirs of Bohr. The new
discipline of systems biology, describing living creatures as emergent
dynamic organizations rather than as collections of molecules, is the
counterattack of those who lost the debate over complementarity in biology
in 1953. It is the revenge of the heirs of Bohr against the heirs of
Einstein.

You heard that correctly. Quantum computing is mundane.

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Elevator Buttons

Is there a simple reason why elevator floor buttons cannot be reset by a second push of the button?
Update: A comment reminded me of the first time I remember being able to ride on an elevator (at the time there was no elevators in Yreka.) It was at a Little People of America convention in Reno, Nevada (my sister is a little person.) They had installed these nice ramps so that the little people could reach all of the buttons. But for a little tyrant like myself, what this meant was that I could get into the elevator, run up the ramp, quickly press all the buttons and then get off at the next floor. Proceed to the next elevator and repeat. Ah, such fun.

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PI Postdocs

Yes, it’s that time of year. The leaves are turning orange, sending a color coded signal to your head that it is, once again, time to apply for jobs. Here’s one from the center of the quantum computing universe (the existence of a prefered reference frame does not imply that the laws of physics aren’t Lorentz invariant in all (*ahem* intertial *ahem*) reference frames):

Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is accepting applications for postdoctoral positions in the areas of quantum gravity, string theory, quantum information, cosmology, quantum foundations and particle physics. Applicants in related areas, such as condensed matter physics, are also encouraged to apply. The postdoctoral positions are normally for a period of three years. Outstanding candidates may also be considered for a senior postdoctoral position with a five-year term.
The deadline for applications is November 5, 2007, but applications will be considered until all positions are filled.
Further information and an online application can be found here: http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/postdoctoralresearcher

If the Santa Fe Institute is the Ivory Tower, the Perimeter Institute is its Canadian sister (blessed be the Canadian dollar which is bring dollars Seattle’s way.)

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SFI Postdocs

Postdocs at the Santa Fe Institute:

Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities at the Santa Fe Institute
The Santa Fe Institute (SFI) is selectively seeking applications for Postdoctoral Fellows for appointments beginning Fall 2008.
Fellows are appointed for up to three years during which they pursue research questions of their own design and are encouraged to transcend disciplinary lines. SFI’s unique structure and resources enable Fellows to collaborate with members of the SFI faculty, other Fellows, and researchers from around the world.
As the leader in multidisciplinary research, SFI has no formal programs or departments and we accept applications from any field. Research topics span the full range of natural and social sciences and often make connections with the humanities. Most research at SFI is theoretical and/or computational in nature, although some research includes an empirical component in collaboration with other institutions.
The compensation package includes a competitive salary and excellent health and retirement benefits. As full participants in the SFI community, Fellows are encouraged to invite speakers, organize workshops and working groups and engage in research outside their field. Funds are available to support this full range of research activities. Applications are welcome from candidates in any country. Successful foreign applicants must acquire an acceptable visa (usually a J-1) as a condition of employment. Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
For complete information and application instructions, please follow the link to http://www.santafe.edu/postdocapp08. The online application process opens October 15, 2007. Application deadline is November 15, 2007.

I recently heard someone describe the SFI as “the academic tower” which is a spot on description. A great place to do research. (Damn I miss green chiles.)

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The Ghost in the Quantum Machine

Ack, 0710.2537:

Title: Spookytechnology and Society
Authors: Charles Tahan
New technologies based on the exploitation of so-called “second order” quantum phenomena – such as quantum entanglement – deserve a public-friendly, rational, and sexy name. Spookytechnology is that unifying term. From historical and motivational perspectives, this name has greater value than the many variations of quantum this and quantum that presently used. As many already believe, the pursuit of spookytechnology has profound implications for the development of the physical and information sciences and ultimately for society at large. Spookytechnology will find its place in the increasingly dense line of major technological revolutions of our time: quantum, info, bio, nano, spooky.

Okay, my first reaction is negative. Man I’m getting to be a grouch. Is “spooky” really “rational”? It certainly is sexy, except that it somehow reminds me of sex with ghosts. Is it “public friendly?” Only if we want the public to believe we are in the business of pseudoscience? On the other hand, I’m sure we could get a show on the SciFi channel if we adopt spookytechnology 🙂

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NPR Tunnels into Future State

nextquant Blog points to one of the most ill phrased NPR story titles of all time:

Quantum Computer Discovery Nets Nobel Prize
by Richard Harris
All Things Considered, October 9, 2007 · Two scientists will share this year’s Nobel Prize in physics for discoveries that have revolutionized computer memory.
Albert Fert of France and Peter Grunberg of Germany independently discovered a phenomenon that relies on the spooky world of quantum mechanics to read data from computer disks.
Most computers use it, because it allows manufacturers to pack a lot more data on a single hard drive. It also changed the way scientists and engineers have been thinking about computer memory.

Crap, if I knew that all I had to do was use my hard drive reading head to build a quantum computer I would have done that years ago.