Quantum Computing

ELI5 - How does a quantum computer work and why are they superior to our current computers?

Quantum computers use qubits, which, unlike classical bits (only 0 or 1), can exist in superpositions of 0 and 1, allowing them to process multiple possibilities simultaneously. For example, three qubits can represent all eight possible combinations of three bits at once, vastly increasing computational power for certain tasks. This capability enables quantum computers to solve problems like factoring large numbers (Shor's algorithm) or searching databases (Grover's algorithm) much more efficiently than classical computers. However, their superiority is limited to specific problem types, not universal tasks. Building quantum computers is challenging due to issues like qubit decoherence and the difficulty of performing calculations without collapsing the quantum state, and as a result, practical applications of quantum computing are still in development.

By Alex 2 months ago

Quantum Computing

ELI5 - How does a quantum computer work and why are they superior to our current computers?

Conventional computers operate using binary switches that are either on or off, forming the basis for logic gates like AND, OR, and XOR, which are combined to perform various tasks. In contrast, quantum computers use qubits, which act like adjustable switches that can be in a state of 0%, 100%, or anywhere in between, allowing for a range of possibilities simultaneously. Quantum logic gates are complex, but they exploit the principles of quantum mechanics to narrow down solutions to specific problems more efficiently. This ability allows quantum computers to excel at tasks like database searches and particle simulations, completing them much faster than conventional computers.

By drollparadox7655 2 months ago

Planck Length

ELI5 - How is Planck length the shortest distance possible? Couldn’t you just split that length in half and have 1/2 Planck length?

The Planck length isn't the shortest distance possible, but rather represents the limit our current understanding of physics breaks down, being the scale at which the theories of both quantum mechanics and general relativity are simultaneously necessary, yet cannot be applied together without inconsistency. General relativity does not account for quantum effects, and quantum mechanics in its current capacity, does not provide an explanation for the effects of gravity.

In order to measure progressively smaller distances, photons with shorter wavelengths, and thus higher frequency/energy, are required. Quantum mechanics would suggest you could keep increasing a photon's energy to measure smaller and smaller scales, but general relativity predicts, due to mass-energy equivalence, as the photon's energy increases, so would gravitational effect until, eventually, a black hole forms.

This clash between QM and GR at the Planck length highlights the need for a unified theory of quantum gravity that can describe how gravity works at these tiny scales.

By Alex 2 months ago

Military Commission

ELI5 - What is a "commission"? As in "Non-Commissioned Officer"? And what happens when an NCO receives this commission?

An officer's commission is a formal document issued by a nation's head of state, granting legal authority to an individual to serve as a commissioned officer in the military. Commissioned Officers (COs) hold command authority directly from this commission, making strategic decisions and bearing ultimate legal responsibility for their units. Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) are enlisted personnel who assume leadership roles, executing orders and leading small units under the delegated authority of commissioned officers, but without the command authority of a CO. Warrant Officers (WOs) are specialized experts in their fields, positioned between NCOs and COs, with both technical proficiency and limited command responsibilities, often focused on specific technical or tactical areas. The key difference lies in the source and extent of their authority: COs derive theirs directly from the state, NCOs through delegation, and WOs through their expertise and technical roles.

By Alex 2 months ago

Military Commission

ELI5 - What is a "commission"? As in "Non-Commissioned Officer"? And what happens when an NCO receives this commission?

In the military, you can join as enlisted or commissioned. Enlisted soldiers start without formal education and can rise to become Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), who lead troops and ensure orders are executed. Commissioned officers, like the young lieutenant in war movies, start with education and command roles but rely on the seasoned wisdom of NCOs, like Sarge or Chief. Ideally, a leader would have both deep education and extensive experience, but that's impractical, so the military pairs educated officers with experienced NCOs to create an effective leadership team. Historically, classism influenced this divide, but now it's about combining strategic knowledge with practical expertise.

By drollparadox7655 2 months ago

Race

ELI5 - Can someone explain how race is a social construct, and not genetic?

Race is a social construct without genetic basis; no genetic marker is unique to any racial group like "white" or "black." The greatest human genetic variation exists in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet its diverse populations are broadly categorized as "black." While genes influence traits like skin color and hair texture, these do not align with racial categories, which were visually based constructs from the 17th century, predating genetics. Social and political forces, like the U.S.'s "one drop rule," have shaped these categories, which have evolved over time, further proving that race is a fluid, historically contingent social construct, not a biological reality.

By Alex 2 months ago

Race

ELI5 - Can someone explain how race is a social construct, and not genetic?

Race classifies people based on visible traits like skin color, which don’t align with underlying genetic variation. For example, genetic studies have shown that 85-90% of human genetic variation exists within any given population, not between different populations labeled as different "races." Populations in neighboring regions blend gradually, with no sharp genetic boundaries, making racial divisions arbitrary. The Human Genome Project found no gene or set of genes unique to any racial group, disproving the idea of genetically distinct races. Historical definitions of race have changed drastically, such as how Irish and Italians were once considered separate "races" in the U.S., reflecting social, not biological, distinctions.

By drollparadox7655 2 months ago

Filibuster

ELI5 - What is the point of a filibuster? Even if the vote is delayed, it will still be passed/rejected eventually...

A filibuster is a Senate tactic that allows a minority to extend debate and block a vote, often used strategically as the session nears its end, when delaying a vote long enough can prevent it from being addressed. Unique to the Senate due to its rules permitting unlimited debate, filibusters let minorities exert influence and force compromises when they lack the numbers to defeat a bill outright. They're especially effective when not all senators are present, as prolonging debate can buy time to gather a majority or sway opponents through negotiations. Opponents who don't feel strongly about a bill may concede to free up time for more pressing issues. Wasting time is a powerful tool as the session's end approaches, making every minute crucial and pressuring opponents to compromise rather than risk losing their entire legislative agenda. This makes the filibuster a controversial yet potent method, enabling a small group to block or alter legislation that might otherwise pass easily.

By Alex 2 months ago

Nitrogen

ELI5 - What is Nitrogen?

Nitrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 7 and symbol N. At moderate temperatures and pressures, nitrogen exists as a colorless, odorless gas. The atmosphere contains more than 78% nitrogen by mass, which is more than three times its amount of oxygen. Atoms of nitrogen have 5 valence electrons and typically 7 neutrons.

By Alex 2 months ago

Iambic Pentameter

ELI5 - What is Iambic Pentameter and what makes it special?

An iamb is the term for an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (such as "a-BOVE"). Iambic pentameter is a group of five ("penta-") iambs, or "iambic feet" as they are known, per line, sort of like:

ba DUH ba DUH ba DUH ba DUH ba DUH

This rhythm, or meter, is traditional in English poetry. For example, Shakespeare is well known to have used iambic pentameter is his plays and sonnets:

shall I comPARE thee TO a SUmmer's DAY

By Alex 2 months ago

Short Squeeze

ELI5 - What is a short squeeze and how does it work?

A short squeeze occurs when the price of a heavily shorted stock suddenly rises sharply. Short sellers, who have borrowed shares to sell them in hopes of buying them back in the future at a lower price, find themselves facing potentially infinite losses as the stock’s price climbs. To limit these losses, short sellers scramble to buy back shares to return to lenders, which further increases the stock’s demand and therefore its price.

By Alex 4 months ago

Keith Gill

ELI5 - How did Keith Gill (AKA RoaringKitty, AKA DeepFuckingValue) turn 50k into over 200M? What's the deal with GME?

Known online as Roaring Kitty and DeepFuckingValue, Gill turned $50k into over $200M by investing in GameStop (GME) using leveraged and risky options. He believed GME was undervalued and heavily shorted by hedge funds. Gill bought call options—contracts allowing him to buy shares at a set price in the future—leveraging his investment to amplify potential gains.

He shared his analysis online, igniting a surge of retail investors who bought GME shares, leading to a short squeeze. This forced short-sellers to buy shares to cover their positions, causing the stock price to skyrocket and multiplying the value of Gill’s options. The event grew into a broader movement against Wall Street, where individual investors challenged institutional short-sellers, exposing vulnerabilities in traditional financial systems.

By Alex 4 months ago