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Grading Trudeau on quantum computing

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Re: Grading Trudeau on quantum computing

#11

Post by JamilD »

rectang wrote: post #6

Even if Trudeau learned the definition the morning of, it speaks well of his background in engineering and math that he was able to assimilate such information and reformulate it coherently. Presenting a technical subject at just the right level of sophistication for a given audience is an invigorating intellectual exercise.

> Presenting a technical subject at just the right level of sophistication for a given audience

I don't think the limiting factor here was the intelligence of the audience, given that he was presenting at the Perimeter Institute.

That being said, I agree completely on your first point, and it's incredibly refreshing to see a politician make an effort to learn about a technical subject.

Re: Grading Trudeau on quantum computing

#12

Post by burke »

TillE wrote: post #7
Walkman wrote: post #2

Someone on FB speculated that it was a trick just for this video: > the person asking the question probably works for Trudeau and Trudeau had previously memorized the whole quantum explanation just for this video. and after reading an article about this claimed that: > Trudeau had actually learned the definition of quantum computing that very morning before this conference and admitted to the fact. Source: https://ww…

The conspiracy theory angle is immediately stupid if you bother to listen to the actual exchange, in which the reporter asks his real question (a fairly uncomfortable one for the PM) right after his joke. If it's a setup, you'd stop and let Trudeau respond to the joke.

I think what happened here was that he asked the press to ask him about quantum computing, then when this guy tried to jab him for that tactic, he spun it around and turned it back into something that worked out even better for him.

Clearly it was rehearsed and staged, but like others said, I'm just impressed he made an effort to and was able to learn and regurgitate this information.

Re: Grading Trudeau on quantum computing

#14

Post by jszymborski »

Walkman wrote: post #2

Someone on FB speculated that it was a trick just for this video: > the person asking the question probably works for Trudeau and Trudeau had previously memorized the whole quantum explanation just for this video. and after reading an article about this claimed that: > Trudeau had actually learned the definition of quantum computing that very morning before this conference and admitted to the fact. Source: https://ww…

If this is true, it's better to pretend to know about Quantum Computing than to pretend evolution isn't a thing...

Re: Grading Trudeau on quantum computing

#15

Post by revscat »

bcook wrote: post #5
unavoidable wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The fact that he bothered to learn is somehow a bad thing?

I guess I'm bothered by the fact that he implied that he was more than casually educated on the subject he was talking about...

As an American, where most of our politicians eagerly jostle for the title of Stupidest Human, the fact that the PM was trying to appear smart raises him up several notches. He considers intelligence to be something worthy. That's refreshing and admirable.

Re: Grading Trudeau on quantum computing

#18

Post by sn41 »

wrong_variable wrote: post #10

Damn, the Canadians must be so proud to have such an awesome leader. video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZBLSjF56S8

Yes, this is a great achievement. But there are precedents - the Singapore PM is a Senior Wrangler [1], a former Indian president was a rocket scientist [2] - oh, and some nasty fellow in the middle east was an ophthalmologist in London [3], lest we forget.

I believe technical competence is uncorrelated to adminisitrative effectiveness.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Hsien_Loong

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._P._J._Abdul_Kalam

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad

Re: Grading Trudeau on quantum computing

#19

Post by bcook »

revscat wrote: post #15
bcook wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess I'm bothered by the fact that he implied that he was more than casually educated on the subject he was talking about...

As an American, where most of our politicians eagerly jostle for the title of Stupidest Human, the fact that the PM was trying to appear smart raises him up several notches. He considers intelligence to be something worthy. That's refreshing and admirable.

He is likely intelligent but he is very ignorant of the subject he speaks, which is where my concern lies.
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