The Case Against Quantum Computing (2018)

> In quantum computing, the classical two-state circuit element (the transistor) is replaced by a quantum element called a quantum bit, or qubit.

> In contrast to a classical bit, which can only be in one of its two basic states, a qubit can be in any of a continuum of possible states, as defined by the values of the quantum amplitudes α and β.

The thing is a transistor also exists in multiple states, and the transition between states is a continuous function. Anyone with some exposure to solid state physics will know this. It's a thresholding operation that turns what is a pure analog component into something digital. That IEEE published this surprises me, after all the well known Journal of Solid State Circuits is full of transistor designs behaving in decidedly analog (read: continuous) ways.

You don't use it as a part of computation in a normally understood sense. In a programming languages you are not exposed to the analogue features of the circuits - for quantum computing you are.

> That IEEE published this surprises me

I find your reaction to be a positive sign. The sign that IEEE is willing to push envelope of knowledge (as of 2018). One can't push it without taking a risk of publishing something wrong, possibly very wrong.

I don't have any opinion on this topic, it's not my field of expertise. However, it's the first semi-technical article about quantum computing that I can follow along and understand.