pontiff

The APS March meeting is next week as 10000 physicists invade Portland, Oregon. I hope Powell's bookstore has stocked their science sections well! GQI, the topical group on quantum information, sponsors a good number of sessions at the meeting including sessions with invited talks, focus sessions…

Hm, today we seem to have a posting from beyond the grave, arXiv:1003.2133:Proof of the Ergodic Theorem and the H-Theorem in Quantum MechanicsAuthors: John von Neumann Abstract: It is shown how to resolve the apparent contradiction between the macroscopic approach of phase space and the validity of…

A theoretical condensed matter postdoc of interest to the quantum computing folks:Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Theoretical Condensed Matter and Quantum Information Science at the Laboratory for Physical Sciences, University of Maryland. Applications are being accepted for physics postdoctoral…

Ever wanted to ask a Nobel Laureate in physics a question? Well here's your chance: check out this youtube page where you can upload your own questions to Albert Fert, 2007 Nobel prize winner for Giant Magnetoresistance.

arXiv:1003.1153: Quantum Dating MarketAuthors: O.G. Zabaleta, C.M. ArizmendiAbstract: We consider the dating market decision problem under the quantum mechanics point of view. Quantum states whose associated amplitudes are modified by men strategies are used to represent women. Grover quantum…

It's like Jackass for people who can wire stuff together (via @JoeAndrieu): Happy Friday!

Congrats to OneBusAway, winners of the 2010 WTIA Industry Achievement Award for "best use of technology in the government, nonprofit or education sector". OneBusAway was started by University of Washington students and provides real time access to transit information here in the Seattle area. I…

Scienceblogs and Serious Eats are teaming up this year for the 2010 Pi Day Bake-Off. I wonder if Mrs. Pontiff is up to defending her crown?

Thomson Reuter's website Sciencewatch.com has a special section out on citation and paper data for the last ten years of quantum computing. More below the fold. The first interesting thing that everyone wants to know about such list is, of course, "who's number 1?!?" Well the most cited paper…

Today Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke at the University of Washington in the Microsoft Atrium of the Computer Science & Engineering department's Paul Allen Center. As you can tell from that first sentence UW and Microsoft have long had very tight connections. Indeed, perhaps the smartest…

Summer school:We would like to inform you of the upcoming 10th Canadian Summer School on Quantum Information & Research Workshop. Save the dates: July 17-30, 2010 Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC For more information, visit our website: qi10.ca Contact us: info [atatat]…

The Singularity University is crazy. I like crazy. If I were a grad student with copious time on my hands (trust me, in comparison, you have copious time, dear GradStudent) I'd apply to attend the Singularity University summer school:SU's Graduate Studies Program (GSP) is a 10-week summer program…

The twelfth annual SqUINt conference is being held this week and unfortunately I'm missing my favorite conference (though a gaggle of grad students have been sent Santa Fe bound.) The schedule looks really good this year including a great list of invited speakers (Scott Aaronson (MIT), Rainer…

It looks like the talks for QIP 2010 are now online.. Sweet, my television for the next few weeks. Well okay the Olympics may sneak in there (and jez NBC really stinks it up: I've never seen a network make men's downhill so boring...if you're going to short the west coast by not showing the…

And here I thought I was the king (err Pontiff) of quantum Bacon, but no: follow @kenfagerdotcom on twitter who describes himself as "Inventor of Quantum Bacon and accomplished lover."

In the New York Times today there is an interesting article about Helene Hegemann whose debut novel, "Axolotl Roadkill," drew wide praise. You know this story: turns out that the book contains plagiarized passages (plagiarism: check, sales rising: check.) What I find fascinating about the story,…

Some confusing headlines:Quantum Theory's Release Date Now 'TBA'Quantum Theory Faces Delay Due to Quality ReasonsQuantum Theory Delayed

Anyone tried out MoboMath?MoboMath lets you work with math on a computer exactly as you learned it -- by writing it. MoboMath translates your handwritten math input into a formatted layout that can be used in Microsoft Word, Maple, and many other popular applications. Instead of struggling with…

Jorge and Mark send along some Bacon news: NSFW: Effects of Bacon on Male Performance. Nuff said. Bacon and Egg Sandwiches are the best. Ruminations Bacon deserts. Mmm bacon toffee truffles.

Shameless self-promotion: an article I wrote with Wim van Dam, "Recent Progress on Quantum Algorithms" has appeared in the Communications of the ACM. Indeed if you have a copy of the magazine you can check out an artists rendition of a quantum computer/quantum algorithm on the cover. Clearly…

The University of Waterloo is adding a quantum information graduate program, one step closer to being able to get a Ph.D. purely in quantum information. Application details here. Description of the program below the fold. About the Program The University of Waterloo, in collaboration with the…

Martin passes along information that the quantum group at NEC labs has openings for summer interns:I wanted to let you know that the quantum group at NEC Labs America has openings for 2010 summer internships. If some of your students are interested, please refer them tohttp://www.nec-labs.com/…

If your work productivity is shaped by the type of pen you are currently using:

An entire world made of bacon and cold cuts (thanks Jorge) "Mmm ... unexplained bacon"

The Shorty Awards have a category called "bacon." Your vote for @dabacon will, I promise, result in a great increase in your pork-based karma. And voting doesn't even clog your arteries!

People I've found who are blogging about QIP: Physics and Cake Quantum Moxie Physics is Informational Did I miss anyone? Update: Oh and look photos are already up photogallery for QIP

"Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry most about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory" - Emily Post(er) As a literature major physicist, one of the biggest culture shocks I've encountered when attending theory…

QIP 2010 talks and associated papers if I could find them (amazing how almost all papers for this conference are available, for free, online at one location....also interesting how papers seem to cluster in the 10-12 months of the listings :) ) If anyone has corrections please leave a comment.…

Jorge sends along an almost timely piece:The traditional English breakfast is not normally associated with good health. But scientists have found that eating a plate of bacon and eggs could help pregnant women boost the intelligence of their unborn child. Women are usually given a list of foods to…