The Quantum Pontiff

Last week I stumbled upon a new quantum computing book, Quantum Computing for Computer Architects by Tzvetan S. Metodi and Frederic T. Chong (don’t even try to say that first name outloud, you might break your mouth! 🙂 ) Did you know that quantum computing papers have appeared in the top computer architecture conferences (see ISCA 2006 for example) But seriously, don’t mention this to physics hiring committees 🙂 Update: Commentor toby points out that the entire book is downloadable on the publisher’s website here (well you may need a university subscription??)
In SFO airport the other day I was browing the science section of a bookstore when I came across Punk Science by Manjir Samanta-Laughton. Cool title, I thought, Punk Science sounds very radical. Indeed:

Punk Science demonstrates that ideas from the cutting-edge of science actually explain phenomena that have previously been thought of as paranormal. Dr. Samanta-Laughton offers a new model of the universe, where consciousness generates life, where black holes exist inside our bodies as well as far out in space, and where the same science explains galaxies and planets as well as human evolution, auras and chakras. Drawing on the very latest in scientific understanding, the Black Hole principle outlined by [sic] in this book, represents the next leap forward in both human understanding and living, and gives a closer approximation to scientific reality than the macho-approach of the old-style physics.

Doh, radical indeed.
Oh, and commentor Perry notes that quantum computers feature in a new mystery novel, Simple Genius by David Baldacci. Sweet, having already appearing in science fiction, quantum computing is now in mysteries, which means that soon quantum computing will appear in some high falutin mainstream literature.