Poll: Why Are You In It? : The Quantum Pontiff

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Dave Bacon is a theoretical ski bum who is also a pseudo professor. His research is on quantum computing, his scientific passions extend to everything in physics, mathematics, computer science and beyond, and his personal pleasures include making wine, playing poker, skiing, camping, and daydreaming (although not all of those at the same time.) Nothing he says on this blog should be construed as having anything to do with his employer or his dog.

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Poll: Why Are You In It?

Category: Quantum Computing
Posted on: April 23, 2009 11:38 AM, by Dave Bacon

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Comments

One problem: I have two reasons and was only allowed to choose one.

Posted by: Ian Durham | April 23, 2009 12:53 PM

I will second Ian in asking for: (X) in service of other/external goal(s).

The point is that math and science are (often) regarded as goals in themselves ... certainly they are commonly taught that way. Engineers (in contrast) often explicitly embrace external goals; this tradition is much closer to my personal point of view regarding QIS/QIT.

In my case, these external-to-QIS drivers are: (1) regenerative medical capability, (2) universal access to molecular-scale resources in biology and materials science that is (a) comprehensive and (b) free-as-in-freedom, and (3) the acceleration of global-scale enterprise in service of job creation.

Posted by: John Sidles | April 23, 2009 2:24 PM

Obligatory Bad Quantum Joke:

Problem - This poll has no way for me to input a superposition of answers.

Posted by: Cesar Rodriguez | April 23, 2009 2:55 PM

It is nice that "I like quantum theory" is doing well, as is the similar answer about "intellectual merit". Both of these answers boil down to "I do it because I like it...and I am very lucky to have the opportunity to do something I like!"

Posted by: matt | April 24, 2009 8:26 AM

Matt, I agree definitely 100% with your statement "It is nice that ... I do it because I like it...and I am very lucky to have the opportunity to do something I like!"

And yet, I would also agree 100% with the contrasting view "It is unfortunate that few QIS researchers are asking 'Why am I lucky to have the opportunity to do something I like, when so many others are unlucky?'"

There was a time when many information theorists asked (and answered) that class of question ... Norbert Wiener's 1950 treatise The Human Use of Human Beings is an example that is still readable today, fifty-nine years after it was written.

It seems odd (to me) that prepending the word "quantum" to "information science" could ever be regarded as restricting the scope of information science.

The situation (to me) seems more like prepending the word "algebraic" to "geometry" ... the historical result was an immensely expanded scope for both algebra *and* geometry.

Posted by: John Sidles | April 24, 2009 1:49 PM

Cesar: five lashes with the bull whip!

Posted by: Pieter Kok | April 24, 2009 2:05 PM

Cesar and Pieter: whippin's too good for him! stick him in a box with a cat!

Posted by: rob | April 24, 2009 3:22 PM

Since QIS doesn't work as a career, the last option.

Posted by: Anon | April 29, 2009 3:27 PM

anon: ouch, but sadly....

Posted by: Dave Bacon | April 29, 2009 4:02 PM