Quantum Computing; Knife; College of Magic | 60 Minutes Full Episodes

Quantum Computing: A New Era of Computation

• Quantum computing is a new technology that could revolutionize the world.
• It uses the principles of quantum physics to perform calculations that are impossible for traditional computers.
• Quantum computers can solve problems in minutes that would take today's supercomputers millions of years.
• The technology is being developed by companies like IBM, Google, Microsoft, Honeywell, and China.
• The nation or company that develops a workable quantum computer will have a significant advantage in the global economy.
• Quantum computers use electrons to store information, which allows them to process information much faster than traditional computers.
• The development of quantum computing is similar to the development of the transistor in the 1940s and 1950s.
• The race to develop quantum computing is intense, with major players like IBM, Google, Microsoft, Honeywell, and China all vying for dominance.
• Google's quantum computer uses qubits, which are like artificial atoms, to store information. Each additional qubit doubles the computer's power, making it exponentially more powerful than traditional computers.
• The qubits are kept at near absolute zero, which is about 460° below 0° Fahrenheit, to eliminate electrical resistance and isolate them from outside vibrations.
• Maintaining coherence, the state where qubits can be controlled with an electromagnetic field, is a major challenge. Errors occur frequently, and researchers are working to reduce them to one error per million steps.
• Hartmut Neven, founder of Google's quantum lab, believes that the necessary breakthroughs have already been made and that the focus now is on integrating the existing components to build larger systems.
• Dario Gil, IBM research director, believes that quantum computers can solve problems that classical computers can never solve, due to their ability to represent and process information differently.
• Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize fields like physics, chemistry, engineering, and medicine.
• Cleveland Clinic has installed one of the first quantum computers outside of a lab, aiming to use it to model the behavior of proteins, which are crucial for understanding and treating diseases.
• The quantum computer at Cleveland Clinic is accessible through a regular laptop, allowing researchers to use it without needing to learn a completely new way of interacting with computers.
• The race to develop quantum computing is highly competitive, with China and the US government investing heavily in research.
• The US is expected to publish new encryption standards this year, as quantum computing is expected to break current encryption methods.
• IBM has unveiled its Quantum System 2, which has three times the number of qubits as its previous system.
• IBM is confident that they will be able to build systems with tens of thousands, even 100,000 qubits in the future.
• Physicist Michio Kaku believes that quantum computing is the language of the universe and that understanding it could lead to a deeper understanding of creation.

Salman Rushdie: A Life Under Threat

• Salman Rushdie, a renowned writer, was attacked with a knife in August 2022 at a literary festival in New York.
• Rushdie had a dream two days before the attack where he was being attacked in an amphitheater.
• Rushdie had been living under police protection for 10 years after Iran's leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for his assassination in 1989 due to his novel "The Satanic Verses."
• Rushdie was in New York to speak about the importance of protecting writers whose lives are under threat.
• Rushdie was surprised by the violence that erupted after the publication of "The Satanic Verses" and believes that many people who attacked the book did so without reading it.
• Salman Rushdie was living in London when he went into hiding for 10 years due to threats from the Iranian government.
• During this time, he received 24-hour police protection from the British government and survived several assassination attempts.
• In 1998, the Iranian government called off the assassins, and Rushdie moved to New York, living openly for two decades.
• In August 2022, Rushdie was attacked while giving a lecture in Chautauqua, New York.
• The attacker, a man in black, rushed towards Rushdie and stabbed him multiple times, including in the neck, chest, abdomen, and thigh.
• The attack lasted 27 seconds and was stopped by members of the audience who restrained the attacker.
• Rushdie was flown to a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he underwent an eight-hour surgery.
• After the surgery, Rushdie was on a ventilator and unable to speak.
• His wife, Eliza, and the doctors were unsure if the knife had damaged his brain.
• Rushdie's first communication after the attack was a wiggle of his toes in response to his wife asking if he could hear her.
• Salman Rushdie was attacked with a knife and seriously injured.
• He survived the attack, which he considers a miracle despite not believing in the supernatural.
• His attacker was a 24-year-old man who had only read a few pages of "The Satanic Verses" and seen some clips of Rushdie on YouTube.
• Rushdie initially didn't want to write a book about the attack but realized he had to address the "elephant in the room."
• He views language as a weapon and a way to fight back against the attack.
• Rushdie is still adjusting to life after the attack and feels a shadow of the experience remains.
• He believes he has found an end to the story of the attack but is unsure if it will be the final chapter.
• Rushdie discusses censorship in America and the need to combat intolerance and violence.

The College of Magic: Fostering Wonder and Curiosity

• The segment then transitions to a discussion about the College of Magic in Cape Town, South Africa, which teaches magic and the power of rethinking limits.
• The College of Magic in Cape Town, South Africa, is a unique institution that teaches students the art of magic while emphasizing honesty, humility, and respect.
• Founded by David Gore, a former lawyer, the college aims to foster wonder and curiosity in its students, offering a gateway to a world where the laws of nature seem suspended.
• The college's curriculum includes both practical magic skills and theoretical knowledge, with students learning from experienced magicians like CA Bouti and Michael Barta.
• The school attracts students from diverse backgrounds, including Duma Mcor, who comes from a poverty-stricken township and credits the college with saving him from a life of violence and drugs.
• The college provides transportation for students like Duma, who often face challenging circumstances, and offers affordable tuition at $350 per year.
• The College of Magic is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships and meals to its students, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• The college emphasizes the importance of imaginative thinking, arguing that it is a crucial skill in the 21st century.
• Nane and Tame, a rising star at the college, faced resistance from her mother who initially thought magic was associated with the occult.
• Milo Dreer Smith, another student, was initially shy and his mother encouraged him to join the college to develop his social intelligence.
• Lulo Stofile, a student from a poor family, has transformed since joining the college, becoming more outgoing and confident.
• Lulo's parents believe that magic can be a path out of poverty and encourage him to pursue his passion.
• Lulo is excited for the upcoming Children Magic Festival, where he hopes to showcase his skills.
• Lula the Great is a talented performer who juggles, spins rings, and performs magic tricks.
• Lula the Great brings happiness to children and expands their imagination through his performances.
• The College of Magic is a place where children and adults can experience the wonder of magic.

60 Minutes: Protecting the Environment and America

• Leslie Stahl is the correspondent for 60 Minutes.
• The segment discusses the importance of protecting the environment and the need for a strong and proud America.