Entangled for War

Yesterday a friend told me about quantum computers and their instantaneous abilities. He understood little but was intellectually fascinated - as he is a slave to his intellect so my arrogance immediately dismissed him. Shame. I did however have sufficient integrity to investigate and will apologise.

I have a very limited understanding of what happens but here goes. It is an observable phenomenon of photons that they can exhibit the same properties instantaneously in two places. Somehow if these photons have opposite polarity there is a property of instantaneous transfer. Sorry to be so vague, I don't understand.

However vague my understanding science has been able to turn this property into some practical use. Apparently a scientist, Zeilinger, has demonstrated the use of quantum theory practically. Here is a talk he gave, I don't understand it. Basically it relies on 3 observations - superposition, randomness and entanglement. Something like 2 photons that had been connected have the same properties even though they have been separated. This does not make sense to me but what I can accept is that it has been observed and these observations can be repeated. This is what I argue about for meditation, it can be observed and repeated and therefore it is science. And then there is gravity. Gravity has been accepted for centuries - Isaac Newton. It's properties have been used by science and there are equations involving gravity that are used practically. Yet how does gravity work? I'm glad it does, walking on earth can be pleasant - certainly useful.

Zeilinger describes here (17.40 to 18.30) a new way of thinking of information. "Information is a fundamental constituent of the universe ... Information might be more basic than matter ...Information that characterises two systems transcends all limitations of space and time."

Here is a description of transfer of data using quantum computers. I don't understand how it has been done but data has been transferred - an observable reality. Serious quantum computers are here, if the FT are discussing it then we know this.

But here is the mandtao rub, and it somewhat ominously comes from the Los Alamos lab (Oppenheimer). Here is a quote from the FT article "John Sarrao, associate director for theory, simulation, and computation at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, is among the scientists looking at how to invest in the technology. The organisation, best known for its work on nuclear weapons, is taking a long-term view of quantum computing from a national security point of view." That frightens the hell out of me. Note the use of the euphemism "national security" - how the West (primarily) disguises its efforts at global hegemony and profit-making through violent oppression.

Here is what I do understand. Computers we now use are based on the electrical transfer of data using bits (binary digits). Fundamentally "classic" computers transfer data through electricity by the use of on-off switches, and through this transfer of data computers are able to be used to do so many fantastic things - at the same time "classic" computers are able to create the threat of AI and use smart bombs and drones. Developments in computers (new generations of computers) are measured in terms of the speed of processing, the faster the processing of data the more they can do.

Quantum computing freaks me out because it takes this understanding to a new level. The processing is faster because it is instantaneous - superposition. Secondly is the notion of Qubits. Basically quantum computers can store data in these Qubits - whatever they are, and they are transferred instantaneously. Frightening computer power.

Where is the investment in quantum computing coming from? At present most investment appears to be within the computer industry itself, as can be gleaned from the FT article. But defence is moving in - note here defence is a euphemism for western hegemony. This article from Sputnik News describes global focuses on quantum computing investment, and China leads the way. The article suggests that China will have the capability of hacking western military usages. In other words China will soon become an enemy of NATO, and enemies could mean war. Here is a military view of the quantum arms race that is freaky as well. This article has no moral content, he is just playing fear tactics to ramp up the quantum race for greater US government investment. With people like Major Ryan Kenny ramping up a global arms race in the FT, what future does it hold for humanity?

With this new leap in quantum computing - new to me as being realistic, the need for a HFP-protocol is even more urgent.