A Humane Science

I wanted to share with you today one of my earliest beautiful metaphors for the field of quantum computing. The first time I likened it to the power unlocked by diversity and inclusion.

Because to me, classical computing can be likened to pure totalitarianism. If bits are the human in a classical computer, then the fact that these computers sort of operate by brute force is telling of how limited they are.

Like this outdated political model, the only care is for centralization of the work of independent” bits. Reducing everything to numbers seen with the eyes. Destroying value while creating as high a hierarchy as can be fueled, all in the name of efficiency by economies of scale. All controlled by one master human King/CPU/GPU(the worst).

How?

When 2 input bits only output 1 bit in classical logic gates. In the same way, abstracting any piece of a totalitarian hierarchy, 2 or more people at the “bottom” must be sacrificed for the sake of the one at the “top”, all in the name of utopia.

It is a pyramid. Pure and simple. Too simple. To say the least, it is inelegant.

It lacks imagination, hence, it oppresses the very people it tries to save.

Enter quantum computing. Humanism. Likened to adding some more freedom into the mix, it lets these bits interact. Form relationships. Get entangled. Like how the free-market allows people to not only choose what they want but to also form mutual relationships, communities, to develop together if they find the right synergy of ideas and feelings of goodwill towards the collective.

Not just by brute forcing them as if they are oxen tilling a garden. Each one disconnected from the other and, to be connected to a stick.

Quantum computing, like humanism-derived ideas, then lets the strongest answer win. The best man or woman to take the prize and the supporters, but only by working in concert with all.

Constructive interference where one is lauded, destructive interference if one doesn’t fit the cut.

And what do we get?

Magic.

For 1+1 is not equal to 2 as the totalitarian way of thinking about computing might believe. Why play with only 1 degree of freedom – charge, when you can add spin?

For 1+1 can equal 4. 2+2 can equal 8.

Let the qubits interact. Let them get powerful.

Let your ideas go out into the people. Let them be debated, rotated, negated, inverted, superposed.

Let there be phase kickback. Let the critics make your life uncomfortable.

It is a superior system. And I am glad I was born in its time.

The only totalitarian ideal we need embrace is the truth. The whole truth. For I have come to realise that the whole truth is never as ugly as some people might want others to think.

It can be very beautiful.

Why the truth? The truth will set us free.

How beautifully paradoxical. And yet, how true.