Open-mindedness is key to creativity

French physicist Serge Haroche was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics for “groundbreaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems.”

“There is no real quantum computer now,” he told Shanghai Daily, adding that he is aware of the work of Chinese physicist Pan Jianwei, who was also a panelist at the forum. “I know he’s mostly interested in quantum communication, which is closer to becoming useful for practical application than quantum computers.”

For years, the big players like IBM and Microsoft have been racing to build the first quantum computer, which is expected to beat the computers used today in many ways.

“I don’t think the problem is in high-tech; some basic science is missing in the process,” he explained.

Chair of quantum physics at the College de France, Haroche highly valued the institution’s efforts and environment to encourage the merging of humanities and sciences.

“Creativity in science is connected to open-mindedness,” he said.