Conversation
andy

Andy Newton

So Fairfax Public County Schools (FCPS) is purchasing a quantum computer for students at one of the high schools for $684k. This is apparently the first public k-12 school in the world to get one.

I have mixed feelings. Partly because I don't know if there is a there there for QC. Skeptics say that QC doesn't have any real-world application. I don't know. I am not an expert.

What I do know is that FCPS started this school year by laying off 11 crossing guards to save money, and consequently there have been several students hit by cars with a few fatalities. They have since started re-instating the crossing guards, but with a "this is just temporary... we're kinda broke and don't know how long we can keep these people on the payroll" messaging.

Maybe it is just me, but if the choice is to buy a quantum computer for one high school or keep 11 crossing guards on the payroll, the answer is pretty obvious.
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Kadin2048@mefi.social

Kadin

Reply to @andy

@andy You'd think FCPS could get one of our their friendly, local defense-tech companies to spring for the kids' quantum computer.

I thought that's how TJHS got most of its fancy stuff..?

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andy

Andy Newton

Reply to @Kadin2048@mefi.social
@Kadin2048 inorite! However, the press release says there are 100 open job listings in northern virginia for quantum computing, and then names a bunch of beltway bandit companies.
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