Comment Basic QC question (Score 1) 438
So I've been vaguely following QC for quite a while. It also sound really cool, but I have one persistent nagging question.
How do you control which way a quantum phenomenon resolves itself?
Under understand the idea that something can be in an indeterminate state and that observing it causes it to become determinate. It also makes sense that you could hook up a collection of indeterminate things to represent a problem and that the solution to that problem is one of the possible states of the entire system. What I don't get is how you can force the system to that state. Metaphorically it seems like all you can do is open the box and either the cat is dead or it isn't. What am I missing?
How do you control which way a quantum phenomenon resolves itself?
Under understand the idea that something can be in an indeterminate state and that observing it causes it to become determinate. It also makes sense that you could hook up a collection of indeterminate things to represent a problem and that the solution to that problem is one of the possible states of the entire system. What I don't get is how you can force the system to that state. Metaphorically it seems like all you can do is open the box and either the cat is dead or it isn't. What am I missing?
