Quantum: Why We Want 'Em

Big Picture Science

Science, Technology

4.5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 19 February 2018

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

ENCORE Einstein thought that quantum mechanics might be the end of physics, and most scientists felt sure it would never be useful. Today, everything from cell phones to LED lighting is completely dependent on the weird behavior described by quantum mechanics. But the story continues. Quantum computers may be millions of times faster than your laptop, and applying them to big data could be transformational for biology and health. Quantum entanglement – “spooky” action at a distance – may not allow faster-than-light communication, but could be important in other ways. And there’s even the suggestion that quantum mechanics defines the difference between life and death. Quantum physics. It’s weird and exotic. But it’s how the universe works. Guests: Seth Lloyd – Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Johnjoe McFadden – Lecturer at the University of Surrey, and co-author of Life on the Edge: The Coming of Age of Quantum Biology Michael Raymer – Professor of physics at the University of Oregon, and author of Quantum Physics: What Everyone Needs to Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:00.0	You're listening to an Airwave Media Podcast.
0:05.0	The world is constantly changing and transforming.
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0:18.8	help you make sense of what's happening in the world. Listen to what's new with Wired wherever you get your podcasts.
0:25.7	That's What's New with Wired, wherever you get your podcasts.
0:30.4	The world is filled with many questions,
0:32.2	such as, did giants exist.
0:34.0	What is junk DNA? Does it mean that you're trash?
0:37.0	Do you ever wonder if aliens have underwater bases in our oceans and that's why there are so many
0:42.3	UFO sightings off the coast of
0:44.0	violence all over the world. How serious even is climate change and when should we
0:49.2	start building our rafts? Hello everyone you may recognize me as Gabby from the History of Everything
0:54.1	podcast and my name is Brenna and you don't recognize me from anything yet.
0:58.8	Together we're two scientists who explore the answers to these questions and many, many more in our new
1:03.7	podcast, Mystery of Everything, available everywhere you get your podcasts. Here are some big headlines from the world of the very small. This is the year that quantum computers leap out of the
1:24.7	lab. Quantum computing breakthrough could change life completely. Quantum physics is
1:30.2	invading biology. Now it's not a leap to say that the quantum era has been
1:35.2	proclaimed or at least at the term quantum is flying around like a greased photon but
1:40.2	it may not be clear what that means for our everyday lives.
1:43.6	I mean, what has the wave particle duality ever done for me personally?
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