Some results in quantum computing

Just some points to (rather) recent results in complexity theory with regard to quantum computing:

• Quantum Interative Proofs equals Polynomial Space class: QIP = PSPACE
  
• On the relation of the BQP class to the PH class; furthermore a separating decision problem would follow from the Generalized Linial-Nisan Conjecture: BQP vs PH

The Rise of the Creative Class

I purchased a new book, The Rise of the Creative Class: And How It's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life by Richard Florida.

According to this book, the creative class consists of those people who primarily create, combine, modify and extend ideas. This includes artists and musicians, but also ranges to scientists and engineers even some managers are included. Taking a look at the class and its composition, Florida argues how companies and countries can react to the growing importance and influence of creative workers. It turns out that there is a strong correlation between places with many gays, artists, cultural/ethic mixture and a strong creative industry/economy.
Furthermore he argues that people tend to cluster at places they like rather than to prefer places the industry chooses to build their factories. Consequently cities and counties should take measures to ensure those people will cluster.

Reading it (and not having finished it yet) I get the feeling that all that needs to be done is to follow the arguments M. Friedman made: let the free market decide. Deregulation should allow people to cluster whereever they like to and due to democratic systems form their environment according to their likings. The creative class contains up to one third of all employees - being not a minority at all, special rules, laws and regulations can be supported by the class itself if necessary. With respect to the backward, conservative US laws, the abolishment of quite some laws seems to be the better alternative.

Cognitive Sciences and unfinished readings

I got the recommendation to read some chapters titled Structures, Learning and Ergosystems (available here) due to its heavy use of mathematical examples and outlined processes of thinking in mathematics. I got kind of upset with reading during the first 40 pages because of some imcomprehensible claims - at least I cannot see the validity of those, maybe it is just my limited and inadequate knowledge of cognitives sciences. It's a collection of facts without stating clear connections between them.
I found a cognitive scientist to whom I can relay questions, so I might post some questions with his answers later.

Meanwhile, I'm not done with the ealier mentioned book about Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity. I was slowed down by a Greman book about philosophy of science and Peter Singer's Practical Ethics.

I will write a short book review for the Quantum Non-Locality book as soon as I finish reading it.

Some pointers to articles

Some pointers to articles, already old:

The Ouwi writing system (http://ouwi.org/writing.html):

This describes, besides an artistic invented language, a non-linear, two-dimensional writing system. It has ten letters made up of four different atomar symbols. The only relevace for identifying a letter is the order of the atomar symbols they're made of, meaning letters can be flipped, rotated or bent at the joints. Letter cannot only be connected horizontally or vertically like in Roman, Arabic and Chinese systems, but also be intersected or be the source of radiation of letters in different directions. It reminded me of the Ilkash writing system which also uses a non-linear 2d system to add more information into symbols and the flow of text (in Ithkuil, the probably non-speakable 'predecessor' of Ilkash, even characters can morph). In contrast to the last two mentioned systems, the Ouwi system is ment to be easily learnt and remembered.


Google's go programming language (http://scienceblogs.com/goodmath/2009/11/googles_new_language_go.php) and concurrency in go (http://scienceblogs.com/goodmath/2009/11/the_go_i_forgot_concurrency_an.php) for a quick overview, in case you don't already have an overview.

Two short videos

I didn't post anything the last months and collected a few things. Those two vidoes are nice, but especially the second one is old.

The Known Universe by AMNH



Star Size Comparison

Some physics

Just a few words, I haven't posted anything the recent days...Anyhow I bought a new book:

Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity: Metaphysical Intimations of Modern Physics (Aristotelian Society Monographs)



It covers the Bell theorem and the compatibility issues that arise with it and relativity. In short, the Bell theorem states that you cannot make quantum mechanics deterministic by adding hidden local variables and thus explain e.g. quantum entanglement ("Spukhafte Fernwirkung") by a local theory.

I also want to point you to Epiphenom's blog, which has great articles. In short

I want to know why people believe in gods, and what the psychological and social consequences of those beliefs are. I read the research, and when I find something juicy I write it up and post it here!

Drugs

Without any comment: Milton Friedman on drugs. I'm thinking about writing down a short essay with more links on the subject of drugs, legalization and abuse.