D-Wave Systems, a company specializing in quantum computers, announced that in March it will release a 1,152-qubit processor, code-named Washington. It will allow to create world’s most powerful commercial quantum computers. They should represent a significant progress over earlier 512 qubit quantum processors and especially the 128-qubit ones.
The story “Aethra” (“Aethra”) by Michalis Manolios was published for the first time in 2001. It won the Aeon Award. It was translated from the Greek by Thalia Bisticas.
An art critic is murdered in a villa that belongs to Aethra, a famous artist who uses biotechnology to create clones of herself with physical variants and very elementary minds. Commissioner Costas goes to the villa to ask Aethra some questions but focusing is a big problem because of the artist’s extraordinary beauty, very exposed by her and her clones, but also from the sense of perversion that some of the creations give him.
In “Aethra”, Michalis Manolios takes us to a future in which biotechnology is advanced enough to allow its use to create what are considered art forms. Aethra is an artist who uses herself as a base to create clones that are highly appreciated but her creations raise questions about the ethical limits.
The New England Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX defeating the defending champions Seattle Seahawks 28-24. Tom Brady was named MVP and made history winning his 4th Super Bowl. He also set a record with 13 touchdown passes in the Super Bowl played and another with 37 completed passes in a single Super Bowl.
