With the passing of Leonard Nimoy, this winter of our discontent is complete. One of my favorite cultural icons has died, and February 2015 was very cold and miserable indeed.  The cold and the recent passing of Leonard Nimoy got me to thinking and imagining, just what does it mean to die, to disintegrate, or simply beam-out? Well the best place to find the answers to existential, scientific, and any and all questions is… you got it, the Library. I logged into Credo Reference, available remotely with a valid library card.
 
One of the big ideas surrounding teleportation is that of quantum mechanics. I make no claim to understand all of the complexities and nuances of this area of physics. Though quantum mechanics is very theoretical, some very concrete examples of this branch of science include superconductors, lasers, MRI scanners and semiconductors. The term quantum refers to sub-atomic system changes that occur in certain discrete states where it denotes a sudden change from one energy state to another within an atom. The behavior of subatomic particles,  do not move smoothly from one state to another, when subjected to small increases in energy can move violently and abruptly. Literally the “leap” to a new state. We often hear the phrase to denote monumental change, in reality quantum leaps are subatomic, yet monumental all the same.

"Beam Me Up" An experiment confirms that teleportation is possible—at least for photons, by Alan Hall. Scientific American, December 29, 1997.

Is it possible to consider death a one-way quantum leap? And if so, can a system or device be constructed that could reassemble the particles that constitute you and me? Well, while there is little doubt that quantum mechanics will change and shape the future of computing, encryption and the Internet itself, we’re not yet ready to make a human printer of the past. Arthur C. Clarke once said, the Information Age offers much to mankind, and I would like to think that we will rise to the challenges it presents. But it is vital to remember that information—in the sense of raw data—is not knowledge, that knowledge is not wisdom, and that wisdom is not foresight. But information is the first essential step to all of these.

If you don't like the future you see, build one in its place, and if you don't see a title in our catalog, please suggest it. Live Long, And Prosper.