Blinken-Xi meeting in China
The purpose of Bill Gates‘ recent trip to China to meet with President Xi has suddenly become apparent. Today, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will also meet with Xi. What is desperately needed is a direct line of communication between Washington D.C. and Beijing for military de-escalation, similar to the established communication between the US and Russia during the Cold War.
In an era marked by lively debates on gender identity and inclusive language, it is easy to forget that the fate of humanity can be determined by a couple of grumpy old men with the push of a button, leading to total annihilation.
Technology is increasingly used as both a carrot and a stick in US foreign diplomacy. Despite the financial sanctions imposed on Russia, Microsoft and other Big Tech firms have refrained from weaponizing the kill switch. Naturally, some people are concerned about the growing cozy relationship between the US tech giants and the government.
Who else should the US government rely on to secure its future?
Is it those leading the race to AI and Quantum supremacy, or those with little imagination who are shorting Big Tech stocks? The latter group is more tetchy than usual with no stimulus announcement from China so far, and US stocks retracing from their recent highs. Allow us to remind you of our long-standing thesis:
USA Inc = Big Tech + Fed + Treasury
The theme still has many years of runway ahead.
Quantum resources
For further reading on Quantum Computing, here are some recommended resources:
– The Financial Times Tech Tonic podcast ran a six-part series introduction to quantum computing earlier this year, which is pretty good.
– The FT offers an interactive presentation explaining the differences between classical and quantum computers. It provides a novel way of illustrating how quantum computers can break encryption protocols, showcasing a solid understanding of cryptography by its creator(s).
– If you seek a more technical introduction to Quantum Mechanics, we stumbled upon a chapter written by David Morin through a quick Google search. This chapter may prove useful for purists, as the author demonstrates an intimate understanding of the topic and its associated uncertainties, consistent with his writing style. But then again, he is also a member of the Harvard Physics faculty.
– Lastly, Richard Feynman‘s lectures are always a great resource, as he consistently explains abstract concepts in simple terms: https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/III_01.html
