Quantum Computing and Journalistic Bias (Part 6)
In these series of articles I will be exploring articles on quantum computing from a variety of different sources, and showing how no one really knows the future, and to read everything you see with a grain of salt.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at a video by Kurzgesagt!
Nutshell, Kurzgesagt — In a. “Quantum Computers Explained — Limits of Human Technology.” YouTube, YouTube, 8 Dec. 2015. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhHMJCUmq28&t=338s.
Quantum computing explained
Online informational video
In this video on Youtube, Kurzgesagt-(pronounced Koortz geh-ZAGT) describes quantum computers, their potential benefits, and their potential dangers, taking a relatively neutral position on the debate. Kurzgesagt begins by providing context to these novel devices by commenting on the role that technologyof technology has played in human history. For most of human history, all humanity had was fire, spears, and our brains. As time went on, however, humans began developing technology that would assist them in thinking, the earliest examples being the abacus or written language. Starting in the 1960s, computers were being developed with the purpose of computing complex problems, so our brains would not have to. Since then, the computing power of these computers that we built have kept growing exponentially, allowing for new technologies and opportunities for humanity that could not even have been dreamed of by our ancient ancestors. Our DNA can be processed, our cultures, languages, peoples — our entire world has been brought closer together through the internet. Even our stores and shops, our spiritual leaders and financial advisors, have all been drastically influenced by this new technology. However, Kurzgesagt points out, computing technology is reaching its physical limit. Computer chips are getting smaller and smaller. As time goes on, soon we will not physically be able to make our chips smaller and more powerful, as we will have reached the size limit of the atom. As components such as on/off switches embedded into microchips near the size of atoms, they become susceptible to a natural phenomenon called ‘quantum tunneling’. Quantum tunneling is essentially a phenomenon where an electron seemingly passes through a barrier, once this barrier is sufficiently thinned. Think of sunlight getting through a piece of fabric: If that fabric is thick enough, no sunlight will pass through, but the thinner it gets, the more likely sunlight will flow through the fabric. In the case of the on/off switch in a computer chip, this means that even if the switch was turned off and was not allowing current to flow, the current would simply phase through the switch and run through anyways, effectively rendering the switch useless. Kurzgesagt takes the position that the only way for humanity to progress technologically will be through quantum mechanics, thus quantum computers will be inevitable.
Kurzgesagt poses potential uses for quantum computers. The first and main one that he proposes is that quantum computers will dominate database searching, as it would only take a quantum computer the square root of time needed by a conventional computer. A quantum computer could search many different possibilities at once to find the right one, as opposed to a classical computer which would have to search through every possibility in order to find a positive signal in a database. Kurzgesagt further delves into the future possibilities of quantum computing, contrasting the bad with the good — the destruction of modern day cryptography that quantum computers would carry out if ever made viable, the potential benefit that a quantum computer would pose to a repressive surveillance state, and the potential benefits of advanced simulation of protein interactions through quantum computing for the advancement of medicine, or a super safe quantum internet through harnessing the benefits of quantum entanglement. This video on quantum computing is by far thefar is the most far reaching in terms of its audience. With an impressive 11.4 million views on Youtube, it has reached global audiences furthering its purpose of explaining quantum computing in a practical, understandable format, without oversimplification.
The purpose of this video is foremost to state the facts on quantum computing, and to address the incredibly complex topic of quantum computing in a manner accessible to as many people as possible. In the vein of accessibility, it obviously succeeded, but it must be said that because it gave a total explanation of quantum computing, it proved very lengthy to watch. Furthermore, what quantum computing actually means ethically for humanity was slightly glossed over. Kurzgesagt’s research is sound, and they have a long track record of outputting well researched content. However,it seems that his research focuses very heavily on how quantum entanglement works, rather than on quantum computing itself, thus some parts of how a quantum computer works were skipped, while other more narrow aspects of the field were explained at length.
Kurzgesagt’s position that quantum computing will lead to either good or evil is fairly standard in terms of arguments on quantum computing, and quite frankly lacks the nuance and depth of thinking that writers like Martin Giles have brought to their work. Because of this, Kurzgesagt’s position on whether or not quantum computing is or should be a part of mankind’s future is difficult to infer. Most certainly Kurzgesagt is in the group that believes the age of quantum computing is upon us, though when was never discussed, as well as whether we should greet quantum computing with open arms or shun it. Kurzgesagt takes the position that it is for the viewer to decide, and the author’s only job is to provide the viewer with the facts that allow an informed decision; thus his position on this topic remains entirely neutral.
