So, here we are with all the rumors that the
National Security Agency has built a quantum computer, which could break any
encryption key.
It is a rumor, and, yes, the NSA seems to be working
on it. How much could it mean to
ordinary Americans?
Timothy B. Lee has an article in the Washington Post
Switch Blog where he interviews MIT physicist Scott Aaronson, where he
discusses the concept. One idea is that
some cryptography, like lattice-based, is very difficult to break with
anything. Another is that quantum computing might be useful to private business
in defining better encryption.
Could hackers use it to bust any home user? Not
now. For one thing, a quantum computer
would be much more sensitive to the environment than ordinary laptops, tablets
and phones. Ever worry when driving with
your gear in your car about getting close to high tension power lines or power
stations? Maybe you would with this kind
of computer.
Christopher Barnatt explains quantum computing here:
Note the discussion of the D-wave.
The transcript of the MIT interview is here.
One idea of quantum mechanics, and more properly relativity,
seems morally relevant. That is,
observes can affect what they watch and gawk at. That feeds into the idea that other people’s
relationships can affect you. Or, more
properly, other people’s isolation can affect you, if it gives them the “freedom”
to monitor and judge you.
Sorry, Tim Lee, “qubits” are not the same as “binary
bits”.
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