Quantum Computing since Democritus

"This is not a beginner’s quantum computing book, but if you already have some experience with some of the ideas of quantum computing then this could be the book for you. Scott Aaronson works in complexity theory, which is about how difficult problems are. So, for example, when we encode data, we want that to be easy, but for someone to break it, we want that to be hard. The classification of the levels of difficulty is the sort of problem Aaronson works on. Support Five Books Five Books interviews are expensive to produce. If you're enjoying this interview, please support us by donating a small amount . This book wanders all over the place. I wouldn’t say it’s a linear book at all. He’s got ideas about how human minds work, about what free will is, about time travel. He mixes quantum computing in with philosophy and mathematics. It’s a mixture of these things, but he’s obviously thought very deeply about them. All sorts of interesting things crop up in the book and then he’s got really interesting things to say about them. And he’s got this very jokey style. There are nerdy jokes throughout the book which either you like or you dislike. I happen to like them. It’s a very entertaining book. In terms of difficulty the book is very varied. Parts of it are very difficult, parts of it are easy, but it’s a book that’s worth reading. He’s got all sorts of ideas that are worth thinking about. It’s a really thought-provoking book. It is. He’s a little opinionated, but he’s really intelligent and gives excellent explanations of why he is right and others are wrong! We’re out of my area of expertise, but Democritus was talking about atoms, so in some sense, I guess. He does start with Democritus, but it’s not a big part of the book."