PSIgate writes about Quantum Teleportation

IBM provides in this website information about research in quantum teleportation. In 1993 an international group of six scientists showed that teleportation was possible in principle, though the original object would be lost. Since then scientists have demonstrated teleportation experimentally in systems such as coherent light fields, nuclear spins, and trapped ions. The page outlines the way teleportation was proved possible, and provides a bibliography for those interested in learning more on the subject.

The page they refer to is: Quantum Teleportation, from the IBM research division.

So there you go, we’ll be beaming ourselves around in no time.

But if I understand correctly, they effectively create a replica of the original object in another location and the process of scanning for the creation of the replica will “disrupt” the original object. Now for all those who know something about Star Trek science, you’ll know that disrupters are weapons that effectively destroy things. So, in order for us to move you from here, to there, we have to replicate you, then destroy the original version of you. No good having two copies of you now is there ?

Aww heck, the whole thing is just too difficult - too difficult to understand that is. I learned long ago (about 13 years if I remember correctly) that anything at all with “quantum” in the title or description is basically science-speak for “this is actually a load of baloney, but Einstein talked about it, so people will think it must be legit”.

See, I actually studied quantum physics* under the reknowned physicist, cosmologist and philosopher, Paul Davies while at the University of Adelaide. I didn’t understand a single word that Paul had to say, and therefore I concluded that the subject of quantum physics was such complete random probabilistic twaddle, that the whole thing was just there to justify tenure for a bunch of conspirating professors. If the people funding the places can’t understand what they are babbling on about, how are they to know they are all being taken for a ride ? The fact that Paul Davies left the University of Adelaide shortly after I did, proves my point! I think.

So, don’t despair - nobody really knows anything about this quantum physics stuff, and don’t, whatever you do, step into the elevator that has a sign next to it saying “to the quantam teleportation lab” at your nearest IBM research facility.

* Notes - it was actually one small topic from a 2nd year physics class, and while it was true that I didn’t understand a word of it, I did manage to pass the subject based on my knowledge of other aspects of physics that are real - such as gravity. Try falling down more if you still don’t understand gravity. It helps.

If you want some more detail on this whole sordid topic, try reading Wikipedia’s entry: Quantum Physics

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