Figuring things out . . .

D-Wave's 512-qubit chip, code-named Vesuvius.
The white square on the right contains the quantum goodness.

THANKS TO ALISON, DAVE AND BORIS, the sad and disgraceful tale of Stevie's criminality unfolds in exquisite schadenfreude, maybe we'll get an IMAX version. Eventually, the Steviezit will get popped, and reasonably honest government will return to Canada.

So, while this happens, I draw your attention to some relatively quiet developments that may have some surprises: quantum computing. According to Eric Smalley's report in WIRED, "D-Wave Defies World of Critics With ‘First Quantum Cloud’", Canada is at the forefront of quantum computing.

So, what's quantum computing, and why should you care?

The quantum computer is the holy grail of tech research. The idea is to build a machine that uses the mind-bending properties of very small particles to perform calculations that are well beyond the capabilities of machines here in the world of classical physics. But it’s still not completely clear that a true quantum computer can actually be built.

There's a Canadian company, D-Wave, that says it has developed just such a critter — and Lockheed-Martin agrees, because they bought one. Why? Because quantum computers have the power to tackle "brute force" algorithms that cannot be crunched successfully by any of the "standard" super-computers.

D-Wave’s next-generation computer is designed to handle problems with as many as 512 variables. In theory, that lets you solve problems involving two to the 512 possible combinations, and a problem of that size is beyond the reach of any classical computer that could ever be built. “It’s bigger than the number of atoms in the universe,” Rose says. “It doesn’t matter how big a supercomputer you make.”

Combinatorial optimization problems are everywhere, and solving them is big business. In addition to route planning, they include image recognition, genome sequence analysis, protein folding, scheduling, and risk analysis. Airlines, pharmaceutical companies, and financial firms deal with combinatorial optimization problems every day.

With Lockheed, it's sorting out the F-35 mega-bloat:

The 3D structure ofthe protein myoglobin. 

Lockheed Martin makes some of the most complex systems in the world — things like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. On average, half the cost of developing a new complex system at Lockheed Martin is system verification and validation, and the major component of this is software verification and validation. The concern is that as it builds ever more complex systems, this cost will rise. “I have quipped in various board meetings that maybe we ought to give the airplanes away and sell the software maintenance contracts,” says Ned Allen, Lockheed’s chief scientist.

Just so's ya know what's coming down the pike at ya. Now, a lot of progressives have an anti-tech attitude, it gives them a sanctimonious frisson, but you really should know about this. Quantum computing and proteonomics — and your health. Something to really look forward to, in a Stevieless future.