Quantum computing is widely portrayed as a revolutionary technological paradigm, promising exponential speedups and unprecedented computational capabilities through the manipulation of quantum superposition, entanglementandinterference. This paper presents a com-prehensive and interdisciplinary refutation of such claims, demonstrating that the prevailing narrative is mathematically incoherent, physically implausible, economically irrationalandpolitically constructed. Beginning with a rigorous critique of the misinterpretation of quantum states as parallel classical processes, we show that superposition and entanglement do not provide the kind of computational multiplicity often claimed. We examine the hard limits imposed by decoherence, errorcorrectionoverheadandthermodynamic constraints, revealing that scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computation remains physically infeasible under any realistic engineering regime. We further demonstrate that quantum computing introduces no newclass of computable functions and remains firmly within the boundaries of the Church–Turing thesis. Economically, we analyse the high costs and narrow applicability of proposed quantum advantages, concluding that even where theoretical speedups exist, the resource overhead renders them impractical. Finally, we dissect the political economy of quantum computing as a form of security theatre, wherein opaque scientific discourse is exploited to secure funding, generate institutional rentsandsustain a techno-political myth. This paper reasserts the necessity of epistemic rigour, economic rationalityandphysical realism in evaluating emerging technologiesandargues that the current trajectory of quantum computing investment constitutes a paradigmatic case of institutionalised overpromise.
Quantum computing is widely portrayed as a revolutionary technological paradigm, promising exponential speedups and unprecedented computational capabilities through the manipulation of quantum superposition, entanglementandinterference. This paper presents a com-prehensive and interdisciplinary refutation of such claims, demonstrating that the prevailing narrative is mathematically incoherent, physically implausible, economically irrationalandpolitically constructed. Beginning with a rigorous critique of the misinterpretation of quantum states as parallel classical processes, we show that superposition and entanglement do not provide the kind of computational multiplicity often claimed. We examine the hard limits imposed by decoherence, errorcorrectionoverheadandthermodynamic constraints, revealing that scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computation remains physically infeasible under any realistic engineering regime. We further demonstrate that quantum computing introduces no newclass of computable functions and remains firmly within the boundaries of the Church–Turing thesis. Economically, we analyse the high costs and narrow applicability of proposed quantum advantages, concluding that even where theoretical speedups exist, the resource overhead renders them impractical. Finally, we dissect the political economy of quantum computing as a form of security theatre, wherein opaque scientific discourse is exploited to secure funding, generate institutional rentsandsustain a techno-political myth. This paper reasserts the necessity of epistemic rigour, economic rationalityandphysical realism in evaluating emerging technologiesandargues that the current trajectory of quantum computing investment constitutes a paradigmatic case of institutionalised overpromise.
Quantum computing is widely promoted as a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionize fields as diverse as artificial intelligence, finance, optimization, and materials science. Yet the public narrative surrounding quantum computing often diverges sharply from the technical realities acknowledged by specialists. This paper examines the roots of this discrepancy by distinguishing the genuine scientific achievements of quantum information theory from the speculative expectations projected onto quantum hardware. After outlining the central practical challenges posed by noise, decoherence, and the extreme overhead of quantum error correction, we argue that the path to large-scale, general-purpose quantum computers remains uncertain and potentially infeasible. Drawing a historical parallel with the nuclear fusion project, we illustrate how a theoretically elegant idea may confront fundamental obstacles in physical implementation. We further analyze the sources of technological hype in both scientific and popular discourse and highlight more realistic avenues for progress, such as quantum simulation and quantum-inspired classical computation. Finally, we revisit the conceptual foundations of quantum computational advantage and emphasize that constructive probability interference - rather than superposition or entanglement alone - may provide the true insight into quantum speedups. The goal of this note is not to diminish the value of quantum information research but to restore balance between promise and feasibility, clarifying what quantum computers can and cannot achieve in practice.
Quantum computing has emerged as a transformative computational paradigm capable of addressing limitations increasingly encountered by classical computing systems as Moore’s law approaches physical and economic constraints. By leveraging quantum mechanical principles such as superposition, entanglement, and interference, quantum systems offer the potential for significant computational advantages in solving complex problems that are currently infeasible for conventional architectures. This review critically synthesizes recent advances in quantum computing by examining foundational principles, major algorithmic breakthroughs, evolving hardware platforms, and interdisciplinary real-world applications. A structured narrative literature review was conducted using major scientific databases, including PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Nature, ScienceDirect, and arXiv, with emphasis on peer-reviewed studies, landmark foundational research, and major industry developments published between 2018 and 2026. Key findings indicate substantial progress in superconducting, trapped ion, photonic, and topological quantum systems, alongside innovations in algorithms such as Shor’s, Grover’s, variational quantum methods, and quantum machine learning. Despite these advancements, major challenges including decoherence, noise, scalability limitations, and fault-tolerant error correction remain substantial barriers to commercial maturity. Future implications suggest quantum computing may profoundly influence artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, optimization, molecular simulation, and scientific discovery, particularly through hybrid classical-quantum systems and cloud-based democratization. Although practical deployment remains transitional, quantum computing is positioned to become a foundational technology with broad scientific, industrial, and societal implications.
Quantum computing represents a paradigm shift from classical computation, harnessing the principles of quantum mechanics to process information in fundamentally new ways. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the field, beginning with its theoretical underpinnings. It elucidates the core concepts of qubits, superposition, and entanglement, which collectively enable quantum computers to perform computations that are intractable for even the most powerful classical supercomputers. The discussion then transitions to the physical architecture of these machines, exploring various hardware implementations, the role of quantum gates and circuits, and the significance of landmark quantum algorithms. The concept of quantum advantage is examined as a critical milestone in the field's development. Subsequently, the paper surveys the potential applications of quantum computing across diverse industries, including drug discovery, materials science, cryptography, and financial modeling, highlighting its transformative potential. Finally, it addresses the significant challenges and limitations that currently impede the realization of large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers, such as decoherence, scalability, and algorithm development. By synthesizing the theoretical foundations, current technological state, future applications, and prevailing challenges, this paper offers a holistic overview of quantum computing, charting its trajectory from a theoretical curiosity to a disruptive technology poised to redefine the boundaries of science and industry.
Quantum computing operates by manipulating the quantum state of a system to solve problems intractable for classical computing. These problems, previously considered limitations of classical algorithms, have solutions through quantum approaches. Therefore, quantum computing suggests that the complexity of such problems lies in the current epistemic state rather than the objective state of the problem. Computational complexity can be classified into objective and epistemic complexity. Some classical problems exhibiting exponential complexity fall into the epistemic category, as their solutions depend on the current state of human knowledge and available tools. Quantum computing suggests that even mathematics isn’t entirely objective, and mathematics, in one sense, is human-made and a kind of technology, which reflects our intention and planning. Computational complexity, therefore, bridges the objective and subjective. Overcoming classical complexity necessitates advancements in scientific theories, algorithms, and quantum technology, all of which rely on the development of human cognitive abilities. Quantum computing is not just a mathematical construct, but also has physical meaning. If it were purely mathematical, classical physics and systems could potentially achieve the same results. What makes the quantum world special is its empirical nature—the physical reality of quantum chips, quantum algorithms, and quantum evolution. Quantum supremacy, or quantum advantage, refers to the potential superiority of quantum computers over classical ones. Controllable quantum systems offer an overwhelming advantage in terms of manipulation and dominance compared to classical systems. Essentially, quantum computing has the potential to significantly outperform classical computing. Many experts, including Shor, have proposed that quantum computing’s power stems from its ability to perform multiple computations simultaneously—a concept often referred to as the Quantum parallelism thesis. Rather, some argue that the true source of quantum computing acceleration lies in the fundamental differences between classical and quantum logic. However, it’s important to note that quantum logic, while providing a new perspective, does not directly address the core principle of quantum parallelism. This dominance stems from quantum physics’ unique properties: Exponential storage capacity, parallel computing inherent to its nature (ontological), and the ability to perform calculations with exponential speedup through quantum algorithms.
Quantum computing represents one of the most disruptive technological paradigms of the 21st century, with profound implications for economic modelling, financial optimization, and computational decision-making. Unlike classical computing, quantum systems leverage superposition, entanglement, and interference to solve problems of exponentially higher complexity, a capability with transformative potential for economics and finance. This study examines the intersection of quantum computing and economics, systematically evaluating both the promises and the barriers defining this emerging field. Regarding opportunities, quantum algorithms, such as the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and Grover's algorithm, demonstrate significant theoretical advantages in portfolio optimization, risk assessment, option pricing, and the resolution of large-scale combinatorial problems that are intractable for classical machines. Quantum machine learning extends these prospects, offering accelerated capabilities for pattern recognition and predictive modelling relevant to financial markets. However, substantial barriers temper these expectations. Current quantum hardware operates in the NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) era, where decoherence, gate errors, and a limited number of qubits constrain practical applicability. The gap between theoretical quantum advantage and real-world economic implementation remains significant, compounded by a shortage of specialists, high infrastructure costs, and the absence of standardized programming frameworks tailored to economic applications. Through a bibliometric analysis of existing literature and a critical review of recent experimental results, the study maps the current state of quantum computing adoption in economics, identifies the most active research frontiers—quantum game theory and quantum portfolio optimization—and outlines the conditions under which quantum advantage could become economically relevant. The findings suggest that, although quantum computing will not transform economic practice in the short term, its long-term disruptive potential warrants proactive engagement from economists, financial institutions, and policymakers.
This paper argues that quantum computing is not merely "5-10 years away" but fundamentally impossible. It identifies three foundational lies: (1) qubits can be identical (no two qubits are physically identical), (2) superposition represents actual simultaneous states (it is epistemic uncertainty), (3) entanglement enables faster-than-classical computation (it is mere correlation). It then presents twelve fatal barriers that make practical quantum computers impossible: no-cloning theorem prevents error correction at scale, Bell violations prove only correlation not computation, calibration overhead scales exponentially, quantum volume metrics are dishonest marketing, thermodynamic costs are astronomical, hybrid algorithms are classical with quantum noise, limited connectivity destroys parallelism, decoherence-free subspaces are too small, reproducibility crisis signals fraud, economic sunk costs create Ponzi dynamics, treating the wavefunction as ontological is a category error, and the measurement bottleneck violates information theory (Shannon). Each barrier is individually fatal. Together they form an impenetrable wall. The paper concludes that quantum computing is a billion-dollar delusion and recommends redirecting funding to classical alternatives that actually work