Hi Scott, I first stumbled across your blog while I was across the pond doing my Master's in Delft; it looks like you've been relatively successful since then.
I was wondering how you feel that success/celebrity has affected you. Does it actively drive you to something other than research -- say, are you viewing it as a building block to maybe publishing a book or so? Or does it feel like a distraction from research in that "oh why do I have these arguments online" way that we can often fall into?
There’s no question that celebrity can get to your head in this line of work. Every single time I get off my private plane somewhere, I’m mobbed by quantum complexity theory groupies, not to mention the Hacker News paparazzi, and the women shrieking and throwing their panties at me ... oh god, the women are so persistent! Don’t they realize I’m married?
But I do try hard to “keep it real”—or better, “keep it complex”—by setting aside some quality time just for me and some pen and paper. As I like to say, it’s all about the amplitudes.
(Seriously: I do have a book, Quantum Computing Since Democritus! And I have been approached by people asking me to sign it. But typically only in a few highly selected places, like Cambridge, MA or Berkeley, CA. :-) )
I was wondering how you feel that success/celebrity has affected you. Does it actively drive you to something other than research -- say, are you viewing it as a building block to maybe publishing a book or so? Or does it feel like a distraction from research in that "oh why do I have these arguments online" way that we can often fall into?