Ryan Michael's Blog

The crux of a quantum computer, the technology allowing substantial improvements in calculation speeds, is a qubit (contraction of quantum bit). This tiny computational node is elusive yet important. But, you may ask, what is a qubit? To understand a qubit, let’s first consider its classical analogue, namely a bit. A bit is the basic unit in modern computers which takes the form of either a zero or a one, and it can be used to represent everything… your accounting documents, your favorite programs and even pictures of your dog eating chocolate ice cream. Most importantly, a bit is a piece of logic which can be compounded to represent all things digitally. Now, we have bits and bits can represent everything, so why bother with qubits?

A qubit (quantum bit) is far more complex than a bit. But a qubit can calculate many problems much faster than a bit. A bit can be on or off. A qubit can be on, off or both. How strange!

Well, it’s complicated but it has to do with calculation times. I will give you a simple case so that you can appreciate the need for quantum computing. Lets say we have a program that makes  operations before finishing which is common in many engineering and scientific applications. For small N, say 100, and assuming for the sake of example that the computer does a million million operations each second, the program would run for about 40 thousand million years, which is the same order of magnitude as the age of the universe! Clearly as mere mortals we do not have this much spare time. But a quantum computer will fix this. By having multiple states for a qubit, a quantum computer can do the same calculation in minutes or even seconds. Now that is worth having.

A tough problem (intractable) can grow in computational time quite quickly. You may have to wait a few million years to get your answer!

So, we have learned about the how, and the why, now let’s solidify the what. What can you do with a quantum computer? Well you can model perfect pharmaceuticals, understand atomic processes and crack secure accounts… and that is just scraping the surface of possibilities. The last scenario is quite serious, and hence there is a strong incentive to understand, and build, a quantum computer from various stakeholders including governments. So then, what about science fiction? Well the answer is in the what. Perfect pharmaceuticals… perfect monsters. Perfect atomic processes… perfect weapons. Perfect code cracking… perfect espionage.  You see, by understanding technology, science reality can be transformed into science fiction which can then penetrate society and become part of our culture. If you can imagine it, then perhaps it can exist. So I leave you with a challenge. How would you use a quantum computer to turn science reality into science fiction?

Brain-machine interfaces promise an exciting future where telekinesis is commonplace. Appliances, computers, perhaps even transportation, will be controlled by thought alone. Sure, at this point it’s highly speculative, but speculation is the realm under which science fiction thrives. Imagine a world in which every human being has a brain-machine interface attached to their brain. Our world would change dramatically. New methods of communication, where one brain talks directly to another brain, may render the traditional forms of communication redundant. The great biological interfaces; eyes, ears, throat and nose, which have evolved over billions of years may become a thing of the past. Even our physical features may evolve around our brain-machine interface. Massive skull, anybody? Other notions present themselves to our imagination. Imagine communicating with a loved one, a friend, or even your pet, by thinking alone. What a world that would be! Of course, a dark side exists… a sinister side. The side where unscrupulous men wait in dark alleys and lure in the vulnerable. The side where the world hangs in the balance due to the malevolent desire of a great villain. And what does every villain require? A hero to bring him down! That’s the magic of science fiction. You can take technology and stretch it. Even if it’s implausible based on what we currently know, that doesn’t matter. You can take the science reality of brain-machine interfaces and create science fiction. You can imagine a world where every human being has a brain-machine interface, and that’s ok. Does it exist now? No. But that doesn’t matter. The rules are flexible. You can let your imagination guide you. So the next time you read science reality, think to yourself; how can you turn science reality into science fiction?

The world around us pushes forward. We advance every day. The technological wave which is pulsing through the human race is nothing short of awe inspiring. What was once considered impossible is now commonplace. Science fiction has become science reality.

Here’s a question for you. Can a human being move an object using thought alone? That’s right, I’m talking about telekinesis. It’s an intriguing idea and, up until recently, was considered only within the realms of science fiction. But not anymore. Scientist’s dedicated to understanding “brain storms”, which are electrical impulses produced by the brain when we think, have made major breakthroughs in creating reliable brain-machine interfaces. Essentially these brain-machine interfaces use electrodes inserted within the brain to record the brain’s electrical impulses, the electrical impulses are then interpreted, and a robotic arm is manipulated. Initially, the brain-machine interfaces were designed for monkeys, which in itself is remarkable, and if you haven’t seen a monkey controlling a robotic arm using thought alone then I suggest you look it up. But now the technology has improved and is routinely employed on human beings. In particular, it has been used to restore mobility to those who are severely disabled. Watching a quadriplegic woman control and manipulate a robotic arm using thought alone is astounding, and speaks to the rare and beautiful intersection of human curiosity and human generosity.  But the brain-machine interface doesn’t end there. Patients are able to control a cursor on a computer screen, enabling the user to open files, send emails, and even to operate a television. It’s remarkable how fast the world advances! So I ask, where will the brain-machine interface lead the human race? It’s hard to say, none of us are certain, but it sure is fun to think about.