TEDxCaltech - Scott Aaronson - Physics in the 21st Century: Toiling in Feynman's Shadow

Scott Aaronson discusses the fundamental limits of physical computation, quantum computing, and computational complexity theory.

Scott Aaronson is an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. Scott's research interests center around fundamental limits on what can efficiently be computed in the physical world. This has entailed studying quantum computing, the most powerful model of computation we have, based on known physical theory. He also writes a popular blog, scottaaronson.com/blog , and is the creator of the Complexity Zoo, qwiki.stanford.edu/index.php/Complexity_Zoo , an online encyclopedia of computational complexity theory. About TEDx, x = independently organized event: In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.) On January 14, 2011, Caltech hosted TEDxCaltech, an exciting one-day event to honor Richard Feynman, Nobel Laureate, Caltech physics professor, iconoclast, visionary, and all-around "curious character." Visit TEDxCaltech.com for more details.