Besides Shor’s algorithm and its implications for cryptography, here’s the rest of what quantum computers promise:
A quantum computer could open new frontiers in mathematics, revolutionizing our idea of what it means to “compute.” Its processing power could spur the development of new industrial chemicals, addressing the problems of climate change and food scarcity. And it could reconcile the elegant theories of Albert Einstein with the unruly microverse of particle physics, enabling discoveries about space and time. How long until quantum computers unify GR and the Standard Model? We just need better, fault-tolerant, qubits, and then: A thousand fault-tolerant qubits should be enough to run accurate simulations of molecular chemistry. Ten thousand fault-tolerant qubits could begin to unlock new findings in particle physics. Needless to say increasing use of quantum PKI guarantee a cryptoanarchist internet the future-shock from which could cause fatal whiplash in many cases of those unfamiliar with exponential developments and singularities. The ' Govcorp conspiracy crowd for one.
