I don't know how long this story from the Montreal Gazette will be available, but if you have the chance to read it, here's the link:
I saw this at work because of the link to counterfeiting, but I kept reading it because it's just so damn cool. Even if you have no real understanding of quantum physics (I sure don't), this story is good because it restores your faith in some people's utter brilliance.
I was fretting recently about some inane story about how there are these smart people out there who are set on destroying society as we know it for their own personal gain or beliefs or whatever, and my good friend Dave, with his usual calming insight, noted that for every smart revolutionary guy out there, there's an equally brilliant good guy working against them. Now that's a comforting thought, and it's very likely true.
This story about two scientists, one Canadian and the other American, who together came up with a way to prevent code breakers from cracking into computers with extremtly sensitive information by using quantum theory, illustrates this beautifully.
Sidenote: Wouldn't you love to be smart enough to sit in a cafe after a swim and talk about quantum mechanics with an equally smart dude and actually be enjoying yourself??
Anyway, very cool story. Very cool dudes.
2 comments:
I'm often amazed by the simple things in life but this is just genius. Plain, unadulterated genius! I sound like Marvin the Martian.
I'm amazed that these guys are not taking a patent on this technology -- and thrilled! But I wonder, can someone else patent it if they don't?
I told you that physics was cool...this proves it!
(...and thanks for sneaking me into the story too!)
Post a Comment