P = NP ?

[fyellin]

For my nerdier friends, I offer the following recent paper from the ACM on the current state of the P = NP question.  What would it mean if P = NP? What would it mean if it doesn't. Will quantum computing destroy public-key cryptography. Though it gets a bit technical in places, it's a surprisingly almost readable paper.

For the romantic minded, I

Comments

[dr_scott]

Ooh, great story. Sometimes it does pay to be a geek. ;-)

[apparentparadox]

Yow!

As for the XKCD comic - did you know on the original web page, if you over over the comic you get an extra punchline or other commentary? Please provide that when you link the comic yourself!

[fyellin]

This is #287 if you want the full effect.

The punchline is "General solutions get you a 50% tip."