Justin Trudeau Gives Snarky Reporter A Lesson In Quantum Computing

Author: Huff Post U.S

April 16, 2016 at 14:45

“Don’t interrupt me,” the Canadian PM quipped.

Forget the incredible yoga strength, the c-harming feminist talk, or that glorious hair. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is more than a pretty face.

Much more, according to the clip below f-rom a press conference at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Ontario on Friday.

When a reporter sarcastically suggested that the prime minister explain quantum computing, Trudeau took up the challenge without missing a beat.

“Very simply, normal computers work by ...” the prime minister explained, as the crowd erupted with laughter.

“No, no, no. Don’t interrupt me,” he continued with a smirk. “Normal computers work, either there’s one power going through a wire or not. It’s one or a zero, they’re binary systems. What quantum states allow for is much more complex information to be encoded into a single bit.”

Trudeau’s enthusiastic explanation drew a standing ovation f-rom the audience, which was filled with physicists, future physicists and reporters at the world-renowned think tank.

He might as well have d-ropped the mic then and there, but instead, with his trademark smile, added: “Don’t get me going on this or we’ll be here all day. Trust me.”

Sure, his quantum bit sounded great — but was Trudeau’s explanation correct?

All signs point to yes.

Martin Laforest, a quantum computing expert at the University of Waterloo, told HuffPost Canada that, while Trudeau had just learned about quantum computing that morning, his answer was “quite accurate.”

Trudeau visited the Ontario institute to announce $50 million of federal funding, which will be distributed over five years. He was welcomed to the conference via webcam by famed physicist Stephen Hawking, who is Perimeter’s distinguished visiting research chair.

Two-hundred high school students also joined the conference as part of the a program to inspire future women in science, CBC News reported.

“It’s extremely important to underline just how essential the work being done here is, not just for Canada but for the entire world,” Trudeau said, according to CBC News.

If there’s one lesson to be learned here — aside f-rom the one in quantum computing — it’s to never assume there’s a limit to Justin Trudeau’s talent.