[thevibesman]

> I see no evidence that his knowledge is any better than a layman's

Really? I got the impression that he didn't really get the significance of Q-bits and just thought of it as 'stores more stuff than a digital-bit; MORE GB!!!'.

At the same time, I'd be surprised if a man-on-the-street interview would give anywhere near as good of an answer.

> It's pretty sad that people are surprised or impressed when a politician has a layman's understanding of something in science.

Sad yes, but probably a mentality brought on by the number of U.S. politicians who activity don't believe and don't understand many things in science (great answer from Carl Sagen on Charlie Rose on this: https://youtu.be/U8HEwO-2L4w?t=56).

[gjkood]

Thank you for the link to the video. Its probably the most intellectually stimulating 20 minutes I have spent in a long time. I loved the conversation around politicians, religion, ufos, aliens and their particular proclivities.

I am reminded of the choice of selecting Rev. Palmer Joss instead of Dr. Arroway for the mission in 'Contact' because he represents the 99% of the world who have some sort of religious faith vs one holding a scientific or skeptical view of it.

[thevibesman]

The anti-procrastination feature kicked me off after my last post, but I was planning on submitting the video link to HN after my comment; here it is: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11511570

Interesting note about 'Contact'; the film came out the summer before I was in 7th grade so that and the book are far away in my memory.