[jessriedel]

My impression as physicist in a different field is that quantum computing with non-Abelian anyons is notable because the error correction can be done mostly passively rather than actively. All error correction is, in a certain abstract sense, a form of cooling (i.e., sucking out entropy and thereby driving a system to a preferred subspace). These computers are notable in that the error correction literally is just cooling, and cooling is generally a lot easier than active error correction.

It may also be true that the necessary temperatures to achieve are not as low as for other forms of quantum computing, but even if true I don't think that's the main selling point.

Would love it have an expert chime in.

[Loughla]

Can someone please explain quantum computing like i am a small Labrador puppy with a head injury?

Because I read about it all the time, but just can't grasp.

[jes5199]

no, it can’t actually be made simple. Qbits are fundamentally unfamiliar. They have restrictions like “you cannot copy them” and “all operations must be reversible”. And what you get at the end is basically flipping a weighted coin, where the probabilities are constrained by the operations you did earlier. The only way to understand it is to immerse yourself in it. Think: motivated grad student, not puppy.

[plank]

A former physicist myself (with a PhD gotten for theoretical research into quantum optics): I really like the ‘weighted coin’ methaphor.

[a_tartaruga]

Start by learning quantum mechanics for dogs: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/8243716

Then go here: https://qubit.guide/index

[Vecr]

I'm pretty sure they can't. What it's not, though, is running all the programs at the same time.

[jchallis]

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal’s classic strip , The Talk, is extremely well done. https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/the-talk-3