My name is Niel de Beaudrap. The Quantum Monastery is my work blog, and concerns quantum computation, and a few nearby branches of mathematics, computer science, and physics.
Context
I work in quantum technologies. In particular, I expect ‘meaningful’ quantum computers (used for practical applications, as opposed to publicity stunt) to be a reality some time between 2025 and 2035 — though I am prepared to be surprised on this front.
However: regardless of whether quantum computers are ever realised physically, the theory behind quantum information is interesting, and has meaningful connections to branches of mathematics and theoretical computer science.
Quantum computation and quantum information theory has its share of publicity, popularisers, and personalities. There are excellent sets of online notes and entire books which may be obtained for free. In this blog, I intend to provide a role complementary to the purpose of these other online resources.
The purpose of this blog
The purpose of this blog is to present ideas of quantum information theory, and in particular ones which involve connections to related branches of mathematics and computational complexity. Specifically, I will present these ideas in a reflective rather than an excited mood, in a way which may be understood independently of personality or current events, and in a way which admits individual contemplation. Hence the title of this blog.
The Monastic Mood
In order to maintain the appropriate mood for the blog, I intend for the most part to refrain from comments on what might be described as ‘breakthroughs’ or ‘revolutions’, whether experimental or theoretical. I will also refrain from commenting on the merits of any particular article, journal, blog, research group, popular science magazine, or company — except to the extent that technical remarks or a reference to the work of others may represent such an evaluation. I will also refrain from commentary on current events outside of the field (e.g. in the domain of politics or popular culture), though I often do have strong opinions on such subjects. I will generally refer to such commentary on my part as “mistakes”, whether committed or avoided.
I admit that an absolute policy of this sort might prove restrictive, so I will allow myself on rare occasions to deliberately make ‘mistakes’ of this sort, if I judge that it serves a high enough purpose. On such rare occasions that I consider it useful to commit such a mistake, I will attempt to flag the mistake as I am committing it.
Comments policy
Because I consider the mood of the blog important enough, I intend to apply a restrictive policy for comments. I reserve the right not to allow — among other things — any comment which is not on-topic for a specific post; comments which remark substantially or ask about the relative virtues of any group or subject; or anything which I judge is too strongly motivated by ‘temporal’ (i.e. short-term or personal) concerns.
I may on rare occasion make an exception, for which I will not offer any apology or explanation; though I will of course try to be fair in what comments I allow. However, this blog is meant to be a place of contemplation rather than a social outlet, and I expect there are more efficient venues for the sorts of comments which do not meet the policy above.
The Quantum Monastery 