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In this remarkably illustrative and thoroughly accessible look at one of the most intriguing frontiers in science and computers, award-winning New York Times writer George Johnson reveals the fascinating world of quantum computing—the holy grail of super computers where the computing power of single atoms is harnassed to create machines capable of almost unimaginable calculations in the blink of an eye.
As computer chips continue to shrink in size, scientists anticipate the end of the road: A computer in which each switch is comprised of a single atom. Such a device would operate under a different set of physical laws: The laws of quantum mechanics. Johnson gently leads the curious outsider through the surprisingly simple ideas needed to understand this dream, discussing the current state of the revolution, and ultimately assessing the awesome power these machines could have to change our world.
George Johnson
George M. Johnson is an award-winning writer, fascinated by the more visual (and collaborative) forms of writing: drama, screenwriting, and picture books. His first picture book, How Hope Became An Activist (Dixi Books) was a Finalist for the Eric Hoffer Awards Montaigne Medal for the most thought-provoking books in all genres. Marisa and the Mountains was a starred selection in the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids, and it is a Finalist in the Chocolate Lily Book Awards. Sophia's Secrets won the Pacific Northwest Writers' Association Children's Story competition. Dawn Burn is a painter, with a Masters Degree in Visual Art, who took a leap of faith in 2020, retiring early from a career as a highschool art teacher to pursue her life fulfillment goal. Since retiring Dawn has realized what was creatively possible of her love of art, books, and education, while illustrating Aldo Renaldo and the Renegade Alphabet. Dawn has also used the experience of her own empowerment, to become a certified Life Empowerment Coach, and speaker, engaging others in their own momentum for change, and personal fulfillment.
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