21–30 of 128 posts
While we don't know if he was prepped or regurgitated a paragraph, he probably has the faculties and interest to have a general understanding of what he was talking about. Oftentimes it's easier to actually learn something than to cheat convincingly.
I think the take-away here is not what so much what PM Trudeau knows or doesn't know about quantum computing. It reveals how low our expectations are of our leaders.
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.
As the PM, his audience is always far larger than those in the immediate vicinity. Not to mention the gaggle of non-technical journalists who were there.
I think the take-away here is not what so much what PM Trudeau knows or doesn't know about quantum computing. It reveals how low our expectations are of our leaders.
Low expectations against what historical standard?
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.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
How dare he educate himself on the subject of his government's funding?! /s P.S: I didn't mean to be snarky. Any politician that educates himself to even appear smart , instead of trying come off as anti-intellectual "joe six-pack" or simply a spin master (see: Trudeau's predecessor) is progress to me.
You don't think him reciting a canned script made to give the impression of expertise and closing with "I could talk about this for ages..." is deceptive? He was talking like he was well-versed in the subject, when he had really just read some cliff notes.
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/wi…
I don't. Many Asian nations (including Singapore, China, etc.) are largely governed by engineering majors and I do believe this has been helpful for improving administrative effectiveness. This stands in stark contrast to countries where governance is dominated by either lawyers (the US) or military members (many other developing nations).
I think the take-away here is not what so much what PM Trudeau knows or doesn't know about quantum computing. It reveals how low our expectations are of our leaders.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
How dare he educate himself on the subject of his government's funding?! /s P.S: I didn't mean to be snarky. Any politician that educates himself to even appear smart , instead of trying come off as anti-intellectual "joe six-pack" or simply a spin master (see: Trudeau's predecessor) is progress to me.
You don't think him reciting a canned script made to give the impression of expertise and closing with "I could talk about this for ages..." is deceptive? He was talking like he was well-versed in the subject, when he had really just read some cliff notes.
He came across as an intelligent and funny politician who had made the effort to at least develop a modicum of understanding for something he's funding. Nothing more and nothing less.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
How dare he educate himself on the subject of his government's funding?! /s P.S: I didn't mean to be snarky. Any politician that educates himself to even appear smart , instead of trying come off as anti-intellectual "joe six-pack" or simply a spin master (see: Trudeau's predecessor) is progress to me.
You don't think him reciting a canned script made to give the impression of expertise and closing with "I could talk about this for ages..." is deceptive? He was talking like he was well-versed in the subject, when he had really just read some cliff notes.