• The Quantum Thief. Hannu Rajaniemi.

    From Titus G@3:633/10 to All on Thu Jul 30 17:23:40 2026
    The Quantum Thief. Hannu Rajaniemi.

    Hard Science Fiction. (I had already forgotten if I really understood
    what was meant by quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    I was attracted by the title and enthralled by the first chapter but I
    was soon lost. No exposition and no data dumping but an expectation that
    this far future and its terminology were known to the reader. I
    persevered but also disliked the writing style and frenetic shifts in
    emphasis. I have bounced off Zelazny and suspect that those who like him
    will also enjoy Rajaniemi.
    Without reading online synopsis and explanations, I would not have
    understood this. Two stars.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Titus G@3:633/10 to All on Fri Jul 31 15:19:36 2026
    On 30/07/2026 17:23, Titus G wrote:
    The Quantum Thief. Hannu Rajaniemi.

    Hard Science Fiction. (I had already forgotten if I really understood
    what was meant by quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    I was attracted by the title and enthralled by the first chapter but I
    was soon lost. No exposition and no data dumping but an expectation that
    this far future and its terminology were known to the reader.

    Worse than Graydon Saunders.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Lawrence D?Oliveiro@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 05:26:46 2026
    On Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:23:40 +1200, Titus G wrote:

    (I had already forgotten if I really understood what was meant by
    quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    ?Quantum? has become like some kind of magic pixie dust you can
    sprinkle on anything to make it suddenly more wonderful.

    You see this a lot in CompSci, I?m sorry to say.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Scott Dorsey@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 11:01:21 2026
    Ted Nolan <tednolan> <tednolan> wrote:
    In article <114k02m$3bdac$2@dont-email.me>,
    Lawrence D?Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
    On Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:23:40 +1200, Titus G wrote:

    (I had already forgotten if I really understood what was meant by
    quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    ?Quantum? has become like some kind of magic pixie dust you can
    sprinkle on anything to make it suddenly more wonderful.


    See Also: Electric, Radium, Radio, Atomic, Cyber, Psi, Nanites,
    Xrays, Cosmic Rays, Gamma Rays, Positronic, Exotic Matter, Nexialism,
    Words Ending With 'O', Zero Point, Emergent Properties, Magnetic,
    Monopole, Words Wnding in Tron, Ultrasonic, Microscopic, Memetic.

    "Computer" and "Transistor" were once very popular when I was younger.

    But it occurs to me that I have yet to see any quantum food supplements
    or energy drinks. I see a great need in the market.
    --scott

    --
    "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Paul S Person@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 08:55:39 2026
    On Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:23:40 +1200, Titus G <noone@nowhere.com> wrote:

    The Quantum Thief. Hannu Rajaniemi.

    Hard Science Fiction. (I had already forgotten if I really understood
    what was meant by quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    Although I doubt it very much, a thief that steals a very small
    quantity of something (that is, a quantum) could be called a "quantum
    thief".

    And consider all those recipes/formulas that use "quant. suff" for the
    amount of an ingredient. And (IIRC) at least one SF story.
    --
    "Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
    Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
    Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Paul S Person@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 08:58:49 2026
    On Sat, 1 Aug 2026 11:01:21 -0400 (EDT), kludge@panix.com (Scott
    Dorsey) wrote:

    Ted Nolan <tednolan> <tednolan> wrote:
    In article <114k02m$3bdac$2@dont-email.me>,
    Lawrence D?Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
    On Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:23:40 +1200, Titus G wrote:

    (I had already forgotten if I really understood what was meant by
    quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    ?Quantum?? has become like some kind of magic pixie dust
    you can
    sprinkle on anything to make it suddenly more wonderful.


    See Also: Electric, Radium, Radio, Atomic, Cyber, Psi, Nanites,
    Xrays, Cosmic Rays, Gamma Rays, Positronic, Exotic Matter, Nexialism,
    Words Ending With 'O', Zero Point, Emergent Properties, Magnetic,
    Monopole, Words Wnding in Tron, Ultrasonic, Microscopic, Memetic.

    "Computer" and "Transistor" were once very popular when I was younger.

    But it occurs to me that I have yet to see any quantum food supplements
    or energy drinks. I see a great need in the market.

    Consider homeopathy.
    --
    "Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
    Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
    Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From James Nicoll@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 16:14:25 2026
    In article <114en4t$1ehq4$2@dont-email.me>, Titus G <noone@nowhere.com> wrote: >The Quantum Thief. Hannu Rajaniemi.

    Hard Science Fiction. (I had already forgotten if I really understood
    what was meant by quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    That's on par with asking a passing wino before burning down an orphanage.
    --
    My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
    My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
    My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
    My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Christian Weisgerber@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 16:36:16 2026
    On 2026-08-01, Scott Dorsey <kludge@panix.com> wrote:

    But it occurs to me that I have yet to see any quantum food supplements

    Search, and Google shall provide:

    Quantumin Plus the Miraculous Drops
    Quantumin Plus, short for (Quantum Minerals) is Filipino-made,
    mineral-rich food supplement made available especially for adult
    and youngsters alike.

    Quantum Plus: Uses, Dosage & Side Effect
    QUANTUM PLUS is a nutritional supplement with all the required
    vitamin and mineral content essential for the daily intake of
    vitamin-deficient teens and adults.

    Quantum Nutrition Labs

    Quantum Health: Herbal Health Supplements for the Natural ...
    Quantum Health is dedicated to providing science-based herbal
    health products & supplements that improve the quality of life
    for the natural shopper.

    ...

    --
    Christian "naddy" Weisgerber naddy@mips.inka.de

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Cryptoengineer@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 15:00:34 2026
    On 8/1/2026 2:07 AM, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
    In article <114k02m$3bdac$2@dont-email.me>,
    Lawrence D˜Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
    On Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:23:40 +1200, Titus G wrote:

    (I had already forgotten if I really understood what was meant by
    quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    ƒ??Quantumƒ?? has become like some kind of magic pixie dust you can
    sprinkle on anything to make it suddenly more wonderful.


    See Also: Electric, Radium, Radio, Atomic, Cyber, Psi, Nanites,
    Xrays, Cosmic Rays, Gamma Rays, Positronic, Exotic Matter, Nexialism,
    Words Ending With 'O', Zero Point, Emergent Properties, Magnetic,
    Monopole, Words Wnding in Tron, Ultrasonic, Microscopic, Memetic.

    Older: HiFi, transistorized, Solid State, 'smart'.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Cryptoengineer@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 15:01:36 2026
    On 7/30/2026 1:23 AM, Titus G wrote:
    The Quantum Thief. Hannu Rajaniemi.

    Hard Science Fiction. (I had already forgotten if I really understood
    what was meant by quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    I was attracted by the title and enthralled by the first chapter but I
    was soon lost. No exposition and no data dumping but an expectation that
    this far future and its terminology were known to the reader. I
    persevered but also disliked the writing style and frenetic shifts in emphasis. I have bounced off Zelazny and suspect that those who like him
    will also enjoy Rajaniemi.
    Without reading online synopsis and explanations, I would not have
    understood this. Two stars.

    Would a Quantum Thief be stealing the smallest amount possible?

    pt

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From William Hyde@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 15:46:37 2026
    Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
    In article <114k02m$3bdac$2@dont-email.me>,
    Lawrence D˜Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
    On Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:23:40 +1200, Titus G wrote:

    (I had already forgotten if I really understood what was meant by
    quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    ƒ??Quantumƒ?? has become like some kind of magic pixie dust you can
    sprinkle on anything to make it suddenly more wonderful.


    See Also: Electric, Radium, Radio, Atomic, Cyber, Psi, Nanites,
    Xrays, Cosmic Rays, Gamma Rays, Positronic, Exotic Matter, Nexialism,
    Words Ending With 'O', Zero Point, Emergent Properties, Magnetic,
    Monopole, Words Wnding in Tron, Ultrasonic, Microscopic, Memetic.

    In "A Random Walk down Wall Street" Burton Malkiel noted that towards
    the end of the 60s stock market boom, many, many, companies had names
    that ended with "tronic" or "tronics", whether that made sense or not.
    Most of them vanished in the early 70s crashes.

    And thirty years later it was ".com".

    William Hyde



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Scott Dorsey@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 15:58:39 2026
    Christian Weisgerber <naddy@mips.inka.de> wrote:
    On 2026-08-01, Scott Dorsey <kludge@panix.com> wrote:

    But it occurs to me that I have yet to see any quantum food supplements

    Search, and Google shall provide:

    Quantumin Plus the Miraculous Drops
    Quantum Plus: Uses, Dosage & Side Effect
    Quantum Nutrition Labs
    Quantum Health: Herbal Health Supplements for the Natural ...

    Well, perhaps. But METABOLAZOOM is made with Quantum Energy!
    --scott
    --
    "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Lawrence D?Oliveiro@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 23:51:21 2026
    On Sat, 1 Aug 2026 15:01:36 -0400, Cryptoengineer wrote:

    Would a Quantum Thief be stealing the smallest amount possible?

    But if you knew the amount you were stealing to high accuracy, then
    you would only know its location to low accuracy. And vice versa.

    ?Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle?, it?s called.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Lawrence D?Oliveiro@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 23:55:52 2026
    On 1 Aug 2026 06:07:56 GMT, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:

    On Sat, 1 Aug 2026 05:26:46 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D?Oliveiro wrote:

    On Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:23:40 +1200, Titus G wrote:

    (I had already forgotten if I really understood what was meant by
    quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    ?Quantum? has become like some kind of magic pixie dust you can
    sprinkle on anything to make it suddenly more wonderful.

    You see this a lot in CompSci, I?m sorry to say.

    See Also: Electric, Radium, Radio, Atomic, Cyber, Psi, Nanites,
    Xrays, Cosmic Rays, Gamma Rays, Positronic, Exotic Matter,
    Nexialism, Words Ending With 'O', Zero Point, Emergent Properties,
    Magnetic, Monopole, Words Wnding in Tron, Ultrasonic, Microscopic,
    Memetic.

    Audiophiles might remember ?oversampling?.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Lawrence D?Oliveiro@3:633/10 to All on Sat Aug 1 23:57:13 2026
    On 1 Aug 2026 15:34:39 GMT, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:

    And "Computo" was big in the LSH, for a two-fer with words ending in
    'o'.

    I personally liked ?Compu-?, and would like to encourage a revival
    thereof. ;)

    ?I want my emergent atomic cyber compu-trons!?

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Titus G@3:633/10 to All on Sun Aug 2 18:32:47 2026
    On 02/08/2026 07:01, Cryptoengineer wrote:
    On 7/30/2026 1:23 AM, Titus G wrote:
    The Quantum Thief. Hannu Rajaniemi.

    Hard Science Fiction. (I had already forgotten if I really understood
    what was meant by quantum so asked AI for a reminder.)

    I was attracted by the title and enthralled by the first chapter but I
    was soon lost. No exposition and no data dumping but an expectation that
    this far future and its terminology were known to the reader. I
    persevered but also disliked the writing style and frenetic shifts in
    emphasis. I have bounced off Zelazny and suspect that those who like him
    will also enjoy Rajaniemi.
    Without reading online synopsis and explanations, I would not have
    understood this. Two stars.

    Would a Quantum Thief be stealing the smallest amount possible?


    AI told me that the Key Concepts were:
    "Quantum Entanglement: This is used for secure communication within the
    story, allowing characters to transmit information in a way that is theoretically unhackable."

    It is too complicated to provide a short answer so I will give a vague
    and incorrect answer. Characters were able to share specific memories or personal details with others based on their privacy settings. Personal
    data and identity could be stolen.

    "Quantum Dots: These are futuristic devices referenced in the novel,
    showcasing the application of quantum mechanics in technology."

    I still don't know what this means. Nor does the wino who watched me
    burn down the orphanage.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Lawrence D?Oliveiro@3:633/10 to All on Sun Aug 2 07:43:06 2026
    On Sun, 2 Aug 2026 18:32:47 +1200, Titus G wrote:

    AI told me that the Key Concepts were:
    "Quantum Entanglement: This is used for secure communication within
    the story, allowing characters to transmit information in a way that
    is theoretically unhackable."

    That?s an all-too-common response from otherwise-intelligent people
    who get mesmerized by the ?quantum? part.

    We already have ?theoretically-unhackable? encrypted communication
    without having to resort to ?entanglement? or ?quantum encryption? or
    any such voodoo black magic. We use it routinely to do online shopping
    or banking or (as a sysadmin) logging on to remote servers and what
    have you.

    In fact, the ?quantum? form is prone to a form of attack that the
    traditional algorithms are not.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Paul S Person@3:633/10 to All on Sun Aug 2 09:58:25 2026
    On 2 Aug 2026 09:03:07 GMT, ram@zedat.fu-berlin.de (Stefan Ram) wrote:

    ram@zedat.fu-berlin.de (Stefan Ram) wrote or quoted:
    Titus G <noone@nowhere.com> wrote or quoted:
    AI told me that the Key Concepts were:
    "Quantum Entanglement: This is used for secure communication within
    the
    story, allowing characters to transmit information in a way that is >>>theoretically unhackable."
    Quantum Entanglement is real, but in the real world it cannot be
    used to transmit information.

    PS: After having read Titus' text again, I now see that his
    (quoted) phrase "to transmit information in a way that is
    theoretically unhackable" does not actually say that the
    information is transmitted /by/ entanglement, it just says that
    entanglement /allows/ to do this, which is fully correct, as can
    be seen in Entanglement-Based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).

    Personally, I prefer to admit that don't actually know anything about
    this sort of thing, but do have some acquaintance with the various for-the-public illustrations.

    --
    "Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
    Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
    Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Lawrence D?Oliveiro@3:633/10 to All on Sun Aug 2 23:06:37 2026
    On 2 Aug 2026 09:03:07 GMT, Stefan Ram wrote:

    PS: After having read Titus' text again, I now see that his (quoted)
    phrase "to transmit information in a way that is theoretically
    unhackable" does not actually say that the information is
    transmitted /by/ entanglement, it just says that entanglement
    /allows/ to do this, which is fully correct, as can be seen in Entanglement-Based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).

    Given that you can do it anyway, without involving entanglement, it?s
    hard to argue that entanglement is in any way ?allowing? this.

    The best you can say is, it?s not getting in the way.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Gary R. Schmidt@3:633/10 to All on Mon Aug 3 20:48:39 2026
    On 02/08/2026 05:58, Scott Dorsey wrote:
    Christian Weisgerber <naddy@mips.inka.de> wrote:
    On 2026-08-01, Scott Dorsey <kludge@panix.com> wrote:

    But it occurs to me that I have yet to see any quantum food supplements

    Search, and Google shall provide:

    Quantumin Plus the Miraculous Drops
    Quantum Plus: Uses, Dosage & Side Effect
    Quantum Nutrition Labs
    Quantum Health: Herbal Health Supplements for the Natural ...

    Well, perhaps. But METABOLAZOOM is made with Quantum Energy!
    --scott

    Is that anything like Vitameatavegamin??? (That'll tickle the ILL fans.
    :-) )

    Cheers,
    Gary B-)

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BobbieSellers@3:633/10 to All on Mon Aug 3 14:27:42 2026
    On 8/3/26 03:48, Gary R. Schmidt wrote:
    On 02/08/2026 05:58, Scott Dorsey wrote:
    Christian Weisgerber˙ <naddy@mips.inka.de> wrote:
    On 2026-08-01, Scott Dorsey <kludge@panix.com> wrote:

    But it occurs to me that I have yet to see any quantum food supplements >>>
    Search, and Google shall provide:

    Quantumin Plus the Miraculous Drops
    Quantum Plus: Uses, Dosage & Side Effect
    Quantum Nutrition Labs
    Quantum Health: Herbal Health Supplements for the Natural ...

    Well, perhaps.˙ But METABOLAZOOM is made with Quantum Energy!
    --scott

    Is that anything like Vitameatavegamin???˙ (That'll tickle the ILL fans.
    ˙:-) )

    ˙˙˙˙Cheers,
    ˙˙˙˙˙˙˙ Gary˙˙˙ B-)

    Everything that is solid, liquid, gas or plasma depends on Quantum effects to even be.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Scott Dorsey@3:633/10 to All on Mon Aug 3 18:38:08 2026
    BobbieSellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.invalid> wrote:
    On 8/3/26 03:48, Gary R. Schmidt wrote:
    On 02/08/2026 05:58, Scott Dorsey wrote:
    Christian Weisgerber˙ <naddy@mips.inka.de> wrote:
    On 2026-08-01, Scott Dorsey <kludge@panix.com> wrote:

    But it occurs to me that I have yet to see any quantum food supplements >>>>
    Search, and Google shall provide:

    Quantumin Plus the Miraculous Drops
    Quantum Plus: Uses, Dosage & Side Effect
    Quantum Nutrition Labs
    Quantum Health: Herbal Health Supplements for the Natural ...

    Well, perhaps.˙ But METABOLAZOOM is made with Quantum Energy!
    --scott

    Is that anything like Vitameatavegamin???˙ (That'll tickle the ILL fans.
    Everything that is solid, liquid, gas or plasma depends on Quantum
    effects to even be.

    Your body NEEDS quantum energy to even exist! Fortify it with
    METABOLAZOOM which is packed full of the quantum energy you need!
    --scott
    --
    "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.19
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)