"You named your collaboration QAP? Really?"

November 5, 2008 9:29 AM

The DiVincenzo Code [youtube trailer, geekery]. Faced with a strict demand from a funding agency to allocate research funds towards the dissemination of research ideas to the public, an experimental physics group at the University of Oxford produced a feature-length (55 min) action thriller about murder, ancient prophecy, tea breaks, and quantum computation.

[Trailer linked above. Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6]

Named after the most basic requirements for a functional quantum computer, the DiVincenzo criteria [pdf], the student-directed effort is a superposition of The Da Vinci Code, The Matrix, and a live-action PhD Comics. Perhaps best viewed with either popcorn or your lab-mate's stash ofThorlabs Lab Snacks.

posted by fatllama (6 comments total)

The evil dude was fantastic. "I have built his machine. His legacy is now mine!"
posted by nicolas léonard sadi carnot at 9:35 AM on November 5, 2008

I kept waiting for the line, "I'm Ben Bernanke, Spencer, and I want you teeth for the federal reserve! I'm cutting interest rates in half!"
posted by cjorgensen at 10:22 AM on November 5, 2008

I read that as quantum copulation. I think I need more sleep.

Or more quantum copulation.
posted by Outlawyr at 10:44 AM on November 5, 2008

cjorgensen - I'm glad to know that I'm not the only person with that stuck in my head. For the past month, when presented with any kind of amateur acting, that immediately clicks in. "I'm cutting your budget in half! Boy, precious boy wonder, sitting there, in your endowed chair, demanding more funding - well you're not getting any more funding, you've got enough funding in your budget!"

I'm a scientist, a furious scientist.
posted by adipocere at 11:05 AM on November 5, 2008

That is HILARIOUS.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 11:10 AM on November 5, 2008

I am sincerely pleased that taxpayer funds have been allocated in such a useful way. Thanks, EU!
posted by bwerdmuller at 2:00 PM on November 5, 2008