How stable is the world economy?
I know of at least 2 events that will, if and when they occur, have a dramatic impact on the world economy - which would probably make Sep 11 pale in comparison.
1. Peak Oil: I had thought this was not going to happen for a few decades now, until I watched British Petroleum's Chief Executive suggest on BBC that it would happen by the year 2020.
2. Prime factorization: This, unlike peak oil, could happen any time. All it takes is for someone to come up with an algorithm in P to decompose any number into its prime factors.
Given the drastic effect a prime factorization algorithm would have on the US economy, I wonder if anyone who cracks the problem will be designated a "Math Terrorist". Wouldn't that be cool? :)
1. Peak Oil: I had thought this was not going to happen for a few decades now, until I watched British Petroleum's Chief Executive suggest on BBC that it would happen by the year 2020.
2. Prime factorization: This, unlike peak oil, could happen any time. All it takes is for someone to come up with an algorithm in P to decompose any number into its prime factors.
Given the drastic effect a prime factorization algorithm would have on the US economy, I wonder if anyone who cracks the problem will be designated a "Math Terrorist". Wouldn't that be cool? :)
posted by eV at 10:58 PM
2 Value-adds:
Prime factorization:
Dont worry R is already working on it.
-Prabhu
For 2, we either need to find an algorithm in P for use in today's computers or build a quantum computer: http://xxx.lanl.gov/PS_cache/quant-ph/pdf/9508/9508027.pdf
The day that happens would be an interesting day to live. It would mark the day when other currently untouchable problems suddenly become solvable quite naturally/as a side effect. And what possibilities that would open :)
So R, jump out of the couch and get to work!
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