Physicist Will Kinneys Infinity of Worlds: Cosmic Inflation and the Beginning of the Universe starts with the background needed to understand whats called the Lambda Cold Dark Matter (CDM) model of cosmology, often thought of as the standard model of Big Bang cosmology because its been the most successful at matching current astronomical observations. The lambda stands for the cosmological constant, which represents the pressure caused by dark energy, the driver of cosmic inflation.

Kinney goes on to explain that thanks to the CDM and our observations, Precision cosmology has reached the point where it is not only possible to test broad predictions of inflationary theory but also possible to test specific models for inflation and therefore test the underlying particle physics, at energy scales vastly beyond the reach of terrestrial accelerators. Infinity of Worlds also details which observations and tests match the CDM model, like primordial density perturbations (aka scalar perturbations). Primordial gravitational waves (aka tensor perturbations), on the other hand, have not yet been observed.

Infinity of Worlds describes a number of different tests some of them easily achieved, others further off in the future which can be used to determine the viability of the CDM model. Importantly, the models are predictive, The simplest predictions, such as near scale invariance, superhorizon correlations, and Gaussian perturbations, have already been confirmed to a high precision single-field inflation makes predictions that have not yet been tested [] inflation is a well-posed scientific theory in the classic sense of predictivity and falsifiability in fact with great detail and precision. Kinney makes a very strong case here.

Chapter 7 of Infinity of Worlds, Eternal Inflation and the Multiverse, starts off with a quote from John Miltons Paradise Lost, and waxes philosophical and historical for the first few pages. This marks a distinct shift in the books tone and content, and reveals Kinneys perspective about cosmology in a larger sense, beyond any particular model. Luckily, he doesnt shy away from his doggedly detailed explanations, saying that:

in constructing a picture of the early universe that explains its current observed properties, we find that almost any model results in the prediction that inflation runs out of control forever into the future and there should be an infinite number of universes like our own, embedded in a larger, eternally self-reproducing inflationary space-time.

Importantly, Kinney differentiates the inflationary multiverse from the quantum one.Despite its quantum mechanical origin, the multiverse generated by eternal inflation is in no way related to the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, he says, and that the universes here are physically real.

Infinity of Worlds digs into the fascinating issues that the inflationary multiverse presents, no matter where they lead. Much to his credit, Kinney makes clear that despite its many successes, the CDM model must be incomplete, because it cant provide explanations for the universes homogeneity, flatness, and local structure (all of these are defined very clearly and helpfully in the book). Therefore, even if all of CDM is eventually verified, there will still be important aspects of our universe it simply doesnt say anything about.

Infinity of Worlds then looks at how CDM bumps up against other modern theories, like string theory. With more than 10500 possible vacuum configurations for our universe provided by string theory, wed have to assume that the CDMs multiverse would give rise to real universes in each configuration, an infinite number of times. Things get even more interesting when taking into account recent advances in quantum gravity.

So where does that leave the CDM model? In the final chapter of Infinity of Worlds, Kinney muses about just so stories, which explain something in a way thats unfalsifiable. Kinney explains the three foundational issues with CDM: geodesic incompleteness, no theory of initial conditions, and trans-Planckian perturbations. All of these uncertainties are related to our lack of understanding of how to self-consistently construct a quantum theory of gravity, he says. And thus we are back to quantum gravity and string theory.

But Kinneys perspective is even broader and more philosophical than this, saying, Is any theory we construct of the ultimate origin of the universe a just so story, inherently unfalsifiable? The answer to his own question, Quite possibly.

AIPT Science is co-presented by AIPT and the New York City Skeptics.

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'Infinity of Worlds' expands your horizons - AIPT

When Frank R. Tangherlini walks into a Lindy hop event, other dancers immediately take notice and smile. They walk over to greet him, sit and chat as he changes into his dance shoes and partner with him as he cuts a rug on the floor.

Last month during Tangherlinis birthday jam a tradition where other Lindy hoppers take turns cutting in to dance with the person of honor a steady stream of followers made sure they could each groove with him to a few bars of music. That celebratory dance was for his 99th birthday.

Frank R. Tangherlini, right, poses for a photo with his younger brother Burt Tangherlini during World War II, as seen in a poster board displayed during Franks 99th birthday party during First Saturday Swing at Infinity Dance Sport Center in Kearny Mesa on March 4, 2023.

(Lauren J. Mapp / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

For years, Tangherlini has been a staple in the San Diego scene for Lindy hop, a style of dance created in Harlem during the late 1920s that gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. While Lindy hop spread around the world, the United States joined World War II.

As the conflict grew, many of Tangherlinis friends who he grew up with in Boston were drafted. Although he was exempt because he was an electrical engineering student at Boston College, he volunteered for the draft and enlisted in the Army.

Some of the kids I had grown up with had been drafted, and I didnt feel it was right that theyd be risking their life and I was getting by because I was a little better in mathematics than they were I felt it was only fair, he said.

Tangherlini fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Alsace as part of the 101st Airborne Division.

He fondly remembers a windy day of parachute training where a second lieutenant jumped before everyone else to make sure it was safe. Once he landed, Tangherlini and the rest of the trainees followed, but they couldnt find him again until hours later.

Finally at midnight they found him in a pub. After that, we all want to be jumped as dummies, he said.

In recognition of his birthday last month, he received a proclamation from the San Diego City Council designating March 14 as Dr. Frank Tangherlini Day. The council members cited his service in World War II, contributions to the field of science and years of living in San Diego.

Carrie Shah (left), representative for Councilmember Joe LaCava, and Alana Austin (center), representative for Councilmember Kent Lee, give Frank R. Tangherlini a proclamation in honor of his 99th birthday outside his home in University City on March 23, 2023.

(Lauren J. Mapp / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Because he shares a birthday with Albert Einstein, maybe it was inevitable that Tangherlini would go into the field of theoretical physics. When the war ended, he returned to college and earned his bachelors degree in physics from Harvard University in 1948. He later earned a masters degree from the University of Chicago and his doctorate from Stanford University.

Tangherlini and his ex-wife raised four sons in Worcester, Mass. He now has eight grandchildren ranging in age from 12 to 31.

Over the course of his career, Tangherlini held research teaching positions at several prestigious universities, including the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Duke University and George Washington University. He retired from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester in 1994, becoming an associate professor emeritus.

Soon after, he moved to San Diego to be close to his younger brother, Burt Tangherlini. The two brothers would regularly attend the weekly Firehouse Swing Dance, and he supported Burt through a quadruple bypass surgery and other health conditions until his brothers death five years ago at age 90.

Erin Roos, who co-owns The Firehouse Swing Dance along with her husband, recalls dancing with Tangherlini when she first moved to San Diego.

Each year, his birthday is celebrated at The Firehouse with cake and ice cream, but Roos said he motivates other dancers in the scene throughout the year.

Beyond just swing dancing, I think its great just to be able to have a hobby that you love and enjoy so much that you can continue to do it until youre 99, she said. In the swing dance scene, I think he represents joy. You look at people watching him dance, and theyre just happy.

Frank Tangherlini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran and retired professor, dances with Elizabeth Nichols during a weekly Firehouse Swing Dance event in San Diego on Wednesday, April 05, 2023. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

(Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Just as Tangherlini inspires many on the dance floor, hes also an inspiration to scientists around the world.

His research in the field of theoretical physics has spanned decades and covered topics such as black holes, the velocity of light, dimensionality of space and relativity and quantum mechanics. A 1963 paper Tangherlini wrote on why space has three dimensions has been cited 1,069 times to date, including in 58 papers last year alone.

He also inspired a young woman and fellow dancer to become an engineer.

When University City resident Cami Asher first started Lindy hopping at 16, Tangherlini was a friendly face who made navigating a new social scene less intimidating.

Because he worked in education, he was really good at scaffolding his dances to appropriately meet the dancer at what level they were at, Asher said. I think that thats a unique skill that Frank brought because he had, even at his age, a wide breadth of of moves. He was able to make every dance incredibly welcoming because I didnt need to know everything.

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SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 05, 2023: Frank Tangherlini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran and retired professor, dances with Cami Asher, 24, during a weekly Firehouse Swing Dance event in San Diego on Wednesday, April 05, 2023. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Hayne Palmour IV/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 05, 2023: Frank Tangherlini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran and retired professor, dances with Cami Asher, 24, during a weekly Firehouse Swing Dance event in San Diego on Wednesday, April 05, 2023. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Hayne Palmour IV/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 05, 2023: Frank Tangherlini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran and retired professor, dances with Cami Asher, 24, during a weekly Firehouse Swing Dance event in San Diego on Wednesday, April 05, 2023. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Hayne Palmour IV/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 05, 2023: Frank Tangherlini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran and retired professor, watches other swing dancers during a weekly Firehouse Swing Dance event in San Diego on Wednesday, April 05, 2023. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Hayne Palmour IV/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 05, 2023: Frank Tangherlini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran and retired professor, dances with Cami Asher, 24, during a weekly Firehouse Swing Dance event in San Diego on Wednesday, April 05, 2023. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Hayne Palmour IV/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 05, 2023: Frank Tangherlini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran and retired professor, dances with Mollie Davis during a weekly Firehouse Swing Dance event in San Diego on Wednesday, April 05, 2023. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Hayne Palmour IV/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 05, 2023: Frank Tangherlini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran and retired professor, gets a hug from Cami Asher, 24, after they danced together during a weekly Firehouse Swing Dance event in San Diego on Wednesday, April 05, 2023. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Hayne Palmour IV/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 05, 2023: Frank Tangherlini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran and retired professor, dances with Elizabeth Nichols during a weekly Firehouse Swing Dance event in San Diego on Wednesday, April 05, 2023. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Hayne Palmour IV/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Over time, the pair bonded over their shared interest in engineering, and he started bringing Asher scientific papers to read so they could discuss them the following week.

As she prepared for college, it was a recommendation letter written by Tangherlini that helped her get accepted to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo to pursue a degree in chemical engineering.

Asher, now 24, continues to draw inspiration from the theoretical physicist who decades after retiring from teaching continues to make significant contributions through his research and publications.

Frank highlights everything good about continuing to acquire knowledge and push the boundaries of what knowledge and exploration of your interests can be throughout your life, she said.

Most recently, hes been particularly interested in researching and publishing papers on wildfire management. In 2021, his paper on using catapults with water-filled containers to put out fires as a safer alternative to sending firefighters into wildfires to extinguish them from the inside was published in the Open Journal of Safety Science and Technology.

Frank Tangherlini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran and retired professor, at a weekly Firehouse Swing Dance event in San Diego on Wednesday, April 05, 2023.

(Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

When he isnt swing dancing, Tangherlini stays active by taking walks around his neighborhood and chatting with his friends. Hes proud to have recently renewed his drivers license, which will remain active until he turns 104.

The secret to Tangherlinis longevity? He attributes it to a diet primarily based on fish and vegetables.

With a newly replaced pacemaker, hes hoping to continue dancing and writing for the foreseeable future.

I am working on dark matter right now, so I have plenty to do intellectually I could write a half a dozen papers, Tangherlini said.

Read the rest here:

Between swing dancing and writing papers on theoretical physics ... - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Quantumcomputing is a relatively new technology that has the potential torevolutionize the way financial analysis and risk management is conducted.Traditional computing is based on classical physics, whereas quantum computingis based on quantum mechanics.

Quantumcomputing is expected to provide a significant increase in processing power,which can be used to solve complex problems that are currently impossible tosolve using classical computing.

This articlewill explore the development of quantum computing for financial analysis andrisk management.

Quantumcomputing is a type of computing that is based on the principles of quantummechanics. In classical computing, the basic unit of information is the bit,which can have a value of either 0 or 1.

Keep Reading

In quantumcomputing, the basic unit of information is the qubit, which can have a valueof 0, 1, or both at the same time. This property of qubits, known assuperposition, allows quantum computers to perform certain calculations muchfaster than classical computers.

One of the keyadvantages of quantum computing for financial analysis and risk management isits potential to improve the accuracy of models used to predict market trendsand assess risk.

For example,quantum computers can be used to analyze large amounts of financial data andidentify patterns that may not be visible using classical computing. This canhelp financial institutions make better investment decisions and manage riskmore effectively.

Anotheradvantage of quantum computing is its potential to significantly reduce thetime required to perform complex calculations. For example, quantum computerscan be used to perform Monte Carlo simulations much faster than classicalcomputers.

Monte Carlosimulations are commonly used in financial analysis and risk management tomodel the behavior of complex systems and assess risk.

One of the mostpromising use cases for quantum computing in financial analysis and riskmanagement is portfolio optimization.

Portfoliooptimization involves finding the optimal mix of assets that maximizes returnswhile minimizing risk. This is a complex problem that can be solved usingquantum computing.

Another usecase for quantum computing in financial analysis and risk management is creditrisk analysis. Credit risk analysis involves assessing the risk of default byborrowers. This is a complex problem that can be solved using quantumcomputing.

Quantumcomputing can also be used to improve fraud detection in the financial sector.Fraud detection involves analyzing large amounts of financial data to identifypatterns that may indicate fraudulent activity. This is a time-consumingprocess that can be made more efficient using quantum computing.

While thepotential benefits of quantum computing for financial analysis and riskmanagement are significant, there are also several challenges to its adoption.

One of the keychallenges is the high cost of quantum computing hardware. Quantum computersare currently expensive to build and operate, which limits their availabilityto only a few large financial institutions.

Anotherchallenge is the shortage of skilled quantum computing professionals. Thedevelopment and use of quantum computing require a high level of expertise inboth quantum mechanics and computer science.

This shortageof skilled professionals could limit the adoption of quantum computing infinancial analysis and risk management.

Finally, thereis also the challenge of developing quantum algorithms that are tailored to thespecific needs of financial analysis and risk management. Developing thesealgorithms requires a deep understanding of financial markets and riskmanagement, as well as quantum computing.

Despite thechallenges to its adoption, the future of quantum computing in financialanalysis and risk management looks promising. As technology advances,quantum computers are expected to become more affordable and more widelyavailable, which will increase their use in the financial sector.

Moreover, thereare already several initiatives underway to develop quantum algorithms forfinancial analysis and risk management. For example, IBM has developed aquantum algorithm for portfolio optimization, and several other companies andresearch institutions are working on developing quantum algorithms for otherfinancial applications.

In addition tothese initiatives, there is also a growing interest among financialinstitutions in exploring the potential of quantum computing. Several largefinancial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup,have established partnerships with quantum computing companies to explore thepotential of the technology.

Quantumcomputing, a cutting-edge field of computer science, has the potential torevolutionize various industries, including financial analysis and riskmanagement. However, like with any other emerging technology, quantum computing has its pros and cons in the context of financial analysis and riskmanagement.

Quantumcomputers can process information in parallel using quantum bits or qubits,allowing them to perform calculations that are exponentially faster thanclassical computers for certain tasks. This increased computational power canpotentially enable financial analysts to perform complex calculations, such asoptimization problems, portfolio simulations, and pricing derivatives, in afraction of the time it takes classical computers. This could significantlyspeed up financial analysis and risk management processes, leading to moreefficient decision-making.

Risk managementis a critical aspect of financial analysis, and quantum computing has thepotential to enhance risk assessment and mitigation strategies. Quantumcomputers can perform sophisticated simulations and optimizations that can helpfinancial institutions better understand and manage risk. For example, quantumcomputers can efficiently simulate large-scale market scenarios, model complexfinancial instruments, and optimize risk portfolios, leading to more accurate riskassessments and better risk management strategies.

Quantumcomputing has the potential to enhance encryption and security infinancial systems. Quantum computers can break many of the currently usedcryptographic algorithms, which rely on the difficulty of certain mathematicalproblems that can be efficiently solved by quantum computers, such as factoringlarge numbers using Shor's algorithm. However, quantum computing can also offernew cryptographic methods, such as quantum key distribution, which can providesecure communication channels for financial transactions. This couldpotentially improve the security of financial systems and protect against cyberthreats.

Quantumcomputers are still in the early stages of development, and building andmaintaining quantum hardware is extremely challenging and expensive. Thetechnology required for quantum computing is highly specialized and not easilyaccessible, limiting its adoption in financial institutions, especially forsmaller firms. Additionally, quantum computers are not yet scalable, andbuilding large-scale quantum computers with thousands of qubits remains a significanttechnical hurdle. This makes it difficult for widespread adoption in financialanalysis and risk management.

While quantumcomputing holds great promise for certain financial applications, it may not beapplicable to all areas of financial analysis and risk management. Manyfinancial tasks, such as simple calculations, data management, and basic riskassessments, can be efficiently handled by classical computers. Quantumcomputers are most effective for solving specific problems, such asoptimization, simulation, and cryptography, and may not offer significantadvantages in other areas of financial analysis and risk management.Identifying suitable applications for quantum computing in the financial domainand integrating them into existing workflows may require significant effort andexpertise.

Quantumcomputing is still an area of active research, and many aspects of thetechnology are not fully understood. Quantum systems are highly sensitive totheir environment and can be easily disrupted by external factors, leading toerrors and uncertainties in computations. This makes it challenging to ensurethe reliability and accuracy of quantum computations, which are criticalrequirements in financial analysis and risk management. Additionally, there arerisks associated with the potential of quantum computers to break currentcryptographic methods, which could have significant implications for thesecurity of financial systems.

In conclusion,quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize the way financial analysisand risk management are conducted. The technology has several advantages overclassical computing, including the ability to perform complex calculations muchfaster and more accurately.

However, thereare several challenges to the adoption of quantum computing in thefinancial sector, including the high cost of hardware and the shortage ofskilled professionals. Despite these challenges, the future of quantumcomputing in financial analysis and risk management looks promising, and it islikely that we will see increasing use of the technology in the coming years.

Financialinstitutions that are able to leverage the power of quantum computing will havea significant competitive advantage over those that do not.

Quantumcomputing is a relatively new technology that has the potential torevolutionize the way financial analysis and risk management is conducted.Traditional computing is based on classical physics, whereas quantum computingis based on quantum mechanics.

Quantumcomputing is expected to provide a significant increase in processing power,which can be used to solve complex problems that are currently impossible tosolve using classical computing.

This articlewill explore the development of quantum computing for financial analysis andrisk management.

Quantumcomputing is a type of computing that is based on the principles of quantummechanics. In classical computing, the basic unit of information is the bit,which can have a value of either 0 or 1.

Keep Reading

In quantumcomputing, the basic unit of information is the qubit, which can have a valueof 0, 1, or both at the same time. This property of qubits, known assuperposition, allows quantum computers to perform certain calculations muchfaster than classical computers.

One of the keyadvantages of quantum computing for financial analysis and risk management isits potential to improve the accuracy of models used to predict market trendsand assess risk.

For example,quantum computers can be used to analyze large amounts of financial data andidentify patterns that may not be visible using classical computing. This canhelp financial institutions make better investment decisions and manage riskmore effectively.

Anotheradvantage of quantum computing is its potential to significantly reduce thetime required to perform complex calculations. For example, quantum computerscan be used to perform Monte Carlo simulations much faster than classicalcomputers.

Monte Carlosimulations are commonly used in financial analysis and risk management tomodel the behavior of complex systems and assess risk.

One of the mostpromising use cases for quantum computing in financial analysis and riskmanagement is portfolio optimization.

Portfoliooptimization involves finding the optimal mix of assets that maximizes returnswhile minimizing risk. This is a complex problem that can be solved usingquantum computing.

Another usecase for quantum computing in financial analysis and risk management is creditrisk analysis. Credit risk analysis involves assessing the risk of default byborrowers. This is a complex problem that can be solved using quantumcomputing.

Quantumcomputing can also be used to improve fraud detection in the financial sector.Fraud detection involves analyzing large amounts of financial data to identifypatterns that may indicate fraudulent activity. This is a time-consumingprocess that can be made more efficient using quantum computing.

While thepotential benefits of quantum computing for financial analysis and riskmanagement are significant, there are also several challenges to its adoption.

One of the keychallenges is the high cost of quantum computing hardware. Quantum computersare currently expensive to build and operate, which limits their availabilityto only a few large financial institutions.

Anotherchallenge is the shortage of skilled quantum computing professionals. Thedevelopment and use of quantum computing require a high level of expertise inboth quantum mechanics and computer science.

This shortageof skilled professionals could limit the adoption of quantum computing infinancial analysis and risk management.

Finally, thereis also the challenge of developing quantum algorithms that are tailored to thespecific needs of financial analysis and risk management. Developing thesealgorithms requires a deep understanding of financial markets and riskmanagement, as well as quantum computing.

Despite thechallenges to its adoption, the future of quantum computing in financialanalysis and risk management looks promising. As technology advances,quantum computers are expected to become more affordable and more widelyavailable, which will increase their use in the financial sector.

Moreover, thereare already several initiatives underway to develop quantum algorithms forfinancial analysis and risk management. For example, IBM has developed aquantum algorithm for portfolio optimization, and several other companies andresearch institutions are working on developing quantum algorithms for otherfinancial applications.

In addition tothese initiatives, there is also a growing interest among financialinstitutions in exploring the potential of quantum computing. Several largefinancial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup,have established partnerships with quantum computing companies to explore thepotential of the technology.

Quantumcomputing, a cutting-edge field of computer science, has the potential torevolutionize various industries, including financial analysis and riskmanagement. However, like with any other emerging technology, quantum computing has its pros and cons in the context of financial analysis and riskmanagement.

Quantumcomputers can process information in parallel using quantum bits or qubits,allowing them to perform calculations that are exponentially faster thanclassical computers for certain tasks. This increased computational power canpotentially enable financial analysts to perform complex calculations, such asoptimization problems, portfolio simulations, and pricing derivatives, in afraction of the time it takes classical computers. This could significantlyspeed up financial analysis and risk management processes, leading to moreefficient decision-making.

Risk managementis a critical aspect of financial analysis, and quantum computing has thepotential to enhance risk assessment and mitigation strategies. Quantumcomputers can perform sophisticated simulations and optimizations that can helpfinancial institutions better understand and manage risk. For example, quantumcomputers can efficiently simulate large-scale market scenarios, model complexfinancial instruments, and optimize risk portfolios, leading to more accurate riskassessments and better risk management strategies.

Quantumcomputing has the potential to enhance encryption and security infinancial systems. Quantum computers can break many of the currently usedcryptographic algorithms, which rely on the difficulty of certain mathematicalproblems that can be efficiently solved by quantum computers, such as factoringlarge numbers using Shor's algorithm. However, quantum computing can also offernew cryptographic methods, such as quantum key distribution, which can providesecure communication channels for financial transactions. This couldpotentially improve the security of financial systems and protect against cyberthreats.

Quantumcomputers are still in the early stages of development, and building andmaintaining quantum hardware is extremely challenging and expensive. Thetechnology required for quantum computing is highly specialized and not easilyaccessible, limiting its adoption in financial institutions, especially forsmaller firms. Additionally, quantum computers are not yet scalable, andbuilding large-scale quantum computers with thousands of qubits remains a significanttechnical hurdle. This makes it difficult for widespread adoption in financialanalysis and risk management.

While quantumcomputing holds great promise for certain financial applications, it may not beapplicable to all areas of financial analysis and risk management. Manyfinancial tasks, such as simple calculations, data management, and basic riskassessments, can be efficiently handled by classical computers. Quantumcomputers are most effective for solving specific problems, such asoptimization, simulation, and cryptography, and may not offer significantadvantages in other areas of financial analysis and risk management.Identifying suitable applications for quantum computing in the financial domainand integrating them into existing workflows may require significant effort andexpertise.

Quantumcomputing is still an area of active research, and many aspects of thetechnology are not fully understood. Quantum systems are highly sensitive totheir environment and can be easily disrupted by external factors, leading toerrors and uncertainties in computations. This makes it challenging to ensurethe reliability and accuracy of quantum computations, which are criticalrequirements in financial analysis and risk management. Additionally, there arerisks associated with the potential of quantum computers to break currentcryptographic methods, which could have significant implications for thesecurity of financial systems.

In conclusion,quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize the way financial analysisand risk management are conducted. The technology has several advantages overclassical computing, including the ability to perform complex calculations muchfaster and more accurately.

However, thereare several challenges to the adoption of quantum computing in thefinancial sector, including the high cost of hardware and the shortage ofskilled professionals. Despite these challenges, the future of quantumcomputing in financial analysis and risk management looks promising, and it islikely that we will see increasing use of the technology in the coming years.

Financialinstitutions that are able to leverage the power of quantum computing will havea significant competitive advantage over those that do not.

See the original post:

Harnessing Quantum Computing for Financial Analysis and Risk Management - Finance Magnates

So many questions, right?

Watch this video. Class is about to be in session.

First, well take a deep dive into the science at work here. Spoiler alert: Newton and some laws he thought up will be invoked.

Next, well explore the nuts and bolts of how a world-renowned stunt team pulled this off and, more importantly, why. Additional spoiler alert: These guys aint from around here.

Why dont aerialists fly off? Guesses

We caught up with the viral video originally on Twitter. A little digging on the googler machine led us to a total of three different edits of essentially the same short video featuring the aerial acrobatics of what appeared to be a few bored farm boys.

Either this is a new type of combine harvester we are not familiar with, or someone has way too much time on their hands.

What initially struck us and most viewers (judging from the comment sections following the videos) is how are these guys not flying off the trampoline and tractor bed? When they bounce up into the air, how do they land again on the moving trampoline and not, say, a half-acre back down the road?

Science!

Inherently, most of us know there is probably some sciencey stuff involved here. Gravity, physics, an object in motion remains in motionsomething, something, something. Right?

Its embarrassing to admit how much we don't know or cant recall years after high school graduation. Dont worry, you are not alone. Hardly anyone commenting on these internet videos offered definitive answers either.

The video is clearly fake, blurted Anthony Hildoer.

Its not.

You are in the same frame of inertia when you bounce, added GooRee on Twitter.

Frame of inertia. OK, that sounds impressively plausible.

Several commenters referenced what happens when traveling on a train or a place. Or, better yet, what doesnt happen.

Drop a carryon from the overhead bin in first class and it will likely land on your toe, not fly all the way back to cheap seats at the rear lavatory, even though the plane is doing, like, 500 mph. That was how True Vanguard put it on Twitter.

True enough. Weve actually seen this happen.

StarTalks two cents included a train analogy. Weve all seen enough action movies to know if you jump off a train, you are carrying that speed, that momentum, when you hit the ground. So, you better be ready to tuck and roll.

Basically, the smarter comments gravitated around the notion that: Relative to the trampoline, bouncers are traveling only up and down. If no wind resistance is encountered (notice the two walls on either end of the trampoline) the aerialists will continue to travel the exact same speed as the tractor pulling them.

But why, exactly?

Why Dont Aerialists Fly Off? Facts

Twitter user Cheska commented on the video with: I taught yall this in physics class.

Exactly!

We went straight to an authority on the subject: Mr. Garrick Harts AP Physics class at Jackson Hole High School. Mr. Harts seniors had little trouble solving this one.

Newtons first law of motion states that an object at rest remains at rest, or, if in motion, remains in motion at a constant velocity unless acted on by a net external force, began a class email sent to Cowboy State Daily after Mr. Hart showed the video to his class.

The person jumping on the trampoline does not fall off the back of the trailer because their forward velocity is equal to that of the tractor, and there are no significant horizontal forces acting on him to change that," the class wrote.

Acceleration, gravity, relative motion also come into play rolled into a formula (f = ma), where f is force, m is mass, and a is acceleration or velocity.

Air resistance would be the only thing that could change [the bouncers] horizontal velocity, but that is blocked by those two wooden barriers, the high school class continued.

Only the vertical forces of gravity (down) and the force of the trampoline (up) act on him. This is also why you can jump up and down on a trampoline in your yard without flying off, even though your yard is on the earth which is hauling through space at roughly 67,000 mph.

Not to mention the earths rotation, which is approximately 1,000 mph. And we havent even touched upon parabolic path or quantum mechanics.

Dizzy yet? Imagine the guys doing the jumping.

Brainiacs or Maniacs?

And just who are the guys pulling off this wacky stunt? Well, first off, they are professionals. Do not try this at home, kids.

The Dunkin Devilsare an acrobatic team from Slovenia. They have performed more than 1,400 live events in 43 countries. In fact, they were just in Dallas last week.

The squad performs primarily aerial basketball stunts involving trick dunking and a whole lot of what they refer to in their motto as the only one true direction: Up.

DunkinDevilsSquads Gaper Novak and Jan nidari were kind enough shrug off the 8-hour time difference in order to share their experience with Cowboy State Daily via teleconference from their home base in Cerknica, Slovenia.

Novak and nidari confirmed the video is real. It was not faked in any way. In truth, it took quite a bit of practice.

The videos circulating on socialmediaare all from one shoot in May 2019. While the video package certainly works as an ingenious marketing tool, its genesis is actually much more jejune.

What, When, Why, Where?

The Dunkin Devils are kind of a big deal in Slovenia. So, when a carnival came to Cerknica that spring in 2019, Novak and nidari decided they would put on a special show for their adoring home town fans. The video was basically an afterthought, the result of their recorded practice run prior to their live performance, which did not involve anything being towed by farm equipment.

The trailer towed behind the tractor is actually a stage built specifically for this carnival show. The idea to try out some tricks while rolling just kind of fell into place since Novak and nidari are good friends with the tractor driver.

Contrary to expert speculation, DD Squad did not make the walls with the intention of blocking wind. They are used solely for staging during the stationery trampoline show. It did help cut down on wind resistance that could contribute to blowing jumpers off course, but the acrobatic team says they really werent necessary for that.

We tried it out without any walls at first and it is still pretty doable, Novak said, even with the tractor doing a max speed of 30 mph in the video.

Stunts are part experiment, part practice

The members of the team standing on the trampoline bed in some of the shots help the bouncers achieve bigger air by what is called a double bouncingtechnique.

Some of whatDD Squaddoes, like this video stunt, is experimental and the result of careful trial-and-error. But more science goes into it than one might think. Lets just say, these kids arent out to intentionally kill themselves.

Most of our stuff is trial-and-error but we do have on our team people who study physics, engineering, and the science of performing these tricks. We combine all this knowledge to predict what is going to happen and then test things out, Novak said.

Its trial and error to some level, nidari interjected, but we go step-by-step so any errors in the beginning are small, safe, and manageable. Then we add layers of complexity until we are confident we can do the trick without error.

The acrobats were in contact with the tractor driver at all times to make sure a consistent speed was maintained. The driver could also report back with important intel like: Running out of road soon.

Once ready, the production team used a drone and stationery camera to capture the results.

And now you know, as Paul Harvey once made famous, the rest of the story.

Jake Nichols can be reached at: Jake@CowboyStateDaily.com

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Finding a theory of everything explaining all the forces and particles in the universe is arguably the holy grail of physics. While each of its main theories works extraordinarily well, they clash also with each other leaving physicists to search for a deeper, more fundamental theory.

But do we really need a theory of everything? And are we anywhere near achieving one? Thats what we discuss in the sixth and final episode of our Great Mysteries of Physics podcast hosted by me, Miriam Frankel, science editor at The Conversation, and supported by FQxI, the Foundational Questions Institute.

Our two best theories of nature are quantum mechanics and general relativity, describing the smallest and biggest scales of the universe, respectively. Each is tremendously successful and has been experimentally tested over and over. The trouble is, they are incompatible with one another in many ways including mathematically.

General relativity is all about geometry. Its how space is curved and how space-time this unified entity that contains three dimensions of space and one dimension of time is itself also curved, explains Vlatko Vedral, a professor of physics at Oxford University in the UK. Quantum physics is actually all about algebra.

Physicists have already managed to unite quantum theory with Einsteins other big theory: special relativity (explaining how speed affects mass, time and space). Together, these form a framework called quantum field theory, which is the basis for the Standard Model of Particle Physics our best framework for describing the most basic building blocks of the universe.

The standard model describes three out of the four fundamental forces in the universe electromagnetism, and the strong and weak forces which govern the atomic nucleus excluding gravity.

While the standard model explains most of what we see in particle physics experiments, there are a few gaps. To bridge these, an extension called supersymmetry, suggesting particles are connected through a deep relationship, has been proposed. Supersymmetry suggests each particle has a super partner with the same mass, but opposite spin. Unfortunately, particle accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at Cern in Switzerland have failed to find evidence of supersymmetry despite being explicitly designed to do so.

On the other hand, there are recent hints from both LHC and Fermilab in the US suggesting that there may be a fifth force of nature. If these results could be replicated and confirmed as actual discoveries, that would have implications for uniting quantum mechanics and gravity.

I think [the discovery of a new force] would be amazing, says Vedral. It would challenge this thing that that has now existed for well over half a century that there are four fundamental forces.

Vedral argues the first thing to do if we discovered a fifth force would be to establish whether it can be described by quantum mechanics.

If it could, it would indicate that quantum theory might ultimately be more fundamental than general relativity, accounting for four out of five forces suggesting general relativity ultimately may need to be modified. If it couldnt, that would shake up physics suggesting we may need to modify quantum mechanics, too.

But what should a theory of everything include? Would it be enough to unite gravity and quantum mechanics? And what about other mysterious properties such as dark energy, which causes the universe to expand at an accelerated rate, or dark matter, an invisible substance making up most of the matter in the universe?

As Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, an assistant professor in physics and astronomy at the University of New Hampshire in the US, explains, physicists prefer to use the term theory of quantum gravity over theory of everything.

Dark matter and dark energy are most of the matter energy content in the universe. So its not really a theory of everything if its not accounting for most of the matter energy content in the universe, she argues. This is why Im glad we dont actually use theory of everything in our work.

Although they might not explain everything, several proposed theories of quantum gravity exist. One is string theory, which suggests the universe is ultimately made up of tiny, vibrating strings. Another is loop quantum gravity, which suggests Einsteins space-time arises from quantum effects.

One of the strengths that people will point to with string theory is that string theory built on quantum field theory, explains Prescod-Weinstein. It brings the whole standard model with it, which loop quantum gravity doesnt do in the same way. But string theory also has its weaknesses, she argues, such as requiring extra dimensions that weve never seen any evidence of.

The theories are difficult to test experimentally requiring much more energy than we can produce in any laboratory. Vedral argues that while we ultimately cant directly probe the tiny scales needed to find evidence for theories of quantum gravity, it may be possible to amplify such effects so that we could indirectly observe them on larger scales with table-top experiments.

You can listen to Great Mysteries of Physics via any of the apps listed above, our RSS feed, or find out how else to listen here. You can also read a transcript of the episode here.

If so, youll be interested in our free daily newsletter. Its filled with the insights of academic experts, written so that everyone can understand whats going on in the world. With the latest scientific discoveries, thoughtful analysis on political issues and research-based life tips, each email is filled with articles that will inform you and often intrigue you.

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Great Mysteries of Physics: do we really need a theory of everything? - The Conversation