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In this episode I discuss Google’s new Willow chip and its claim of quantum supremacy — what the experiment actually did, why the benchmark still reflects classical thinking, and why forcing quantum systems to behave like deterministic machines misses their true potential. Instead of celebrating speed alone, we explore the deeper question: should quantum computing aim to mimic classical algorithms, or unlock genuinely emergent behavior the way nature does?
Suggested Reading
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03300-4 (nature announcement)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.19550 (Google's echo paper)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-025-01908-7.pdf (Vibronic coupling paper)
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Become a Member at dekyon.io/seanmcclure/science-in-perspective
Premium members get access to the full member app. This includes data visualizations of the core concepts in each episode, a Study Space for learning fundamentals, and premium articles on Techniques and Mindsets.
Members can also save personal notes, explore episode summaries and transcripts, search across episodes, track watch history and progress, and participate in the community forum. Premium membership includes ongoing support.
By Sean McClureIn this episode I discuss Google’s new Willow chip and its claim of quantum supremacy — what the experiment actually did, why the benchmark still reflects classical thinking, and why forcing quantum systems to behave like deterministic machines misses their true potential. Instead of celebrating speed alone, we explore the deeper question: should quantum computing aim to mimic classical algorithms, or unlock genuinely emergent behavior the way nature does?
Suggested Reading
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03300-4 (nature announcement)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.19550 (Google's echo paper)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-025-01908-7.pdf (Vibronic coupling paper)
Support the show
Become a Member at dekyon.io/seanmcclure/science-in-perspective
Premium members get access to the full member app. This includes data visualizations of the core concepts in each episode, a Study Space for learning fundamentals, and premium articles on Techniques and Mindsets.
Members can also save personal notes, explore episode summaries and transcripts, search across episodes, track watch history and progress, and participate in the community forum. Premium membership includes ongoing support.