Example #1 of Censored Science

Today there was a Slashdot article about "What Are the Most Dangerous Lines of Scientific Inquiry", which lead to a discussion about censored science.  Since this blog is largely about censored science, I posted this comment describing a concrete example of censored science.  My comment was generally ignored and not widely seen:

Example #1: In the 1990s the English speaking countries AUSCANNZUKUS [wikipedia.org] sponsored a secret science project that discovered and developed Topological Quantum Neural Network technology (would provide a Wikipedia link, but the topic is censored there). They used it to build a Magic Decoder Box, but the technology had much more interesting uses than reading other peoples' mail. It also lead indirectly to some major mathematical and scientific breakthroughs. e.g. The mathematical breakthrough that allowed for rapid sequencing of 'shattered' DNA in the late 90s, some of the advanced AI now in evidence from large corporations, et cetera. However, because the original Magic Decoder Box project was classified none of this science has been publicly shared. Anyone participating in Corporate or Government development using this technology must sign an ironclad NDA of the direst sort. This author is one of the few people who knows a lot about this 'censored science', yet who has never signed an NDA.

This author has personally seen an example of scientific censorship at work: find a rare early First Edition of Dr. Stuart Kauffman's 1996 book At Home in the Universe [wikipedia.org], and compare it chapter-by-chapter with a later First Edition. One chapter has been excised, and that chapter explicitly discusses Quantum Neural Networks. This author suspects he snuck it past the censors, then someone noticed and made him remove it for all later printings, while still calling it a First Edition. The 'censored' version was removed from sale, but there are still a few copies out there. The chapter in question seems odd and out of place, until one realizes that it is trying to deliver a hidden message from a scientist who abhors censoring science, yet had no choice. This author believes that there were once legitimate National Security reasons for keeping this science secret, but believes those reasons are no longer valid. Skeptical readers should note that The Ultra Secret [wikipedia.org], a strikingly similar case, remained classified for 35 years.

One very reasonable Slashdot reader did make this comment:

Excuse me? How nice of you to repeat the plot of a scifi novel, but do mind to also give its name and author.

and my response was

Nope, just telling the truth as I understand it, in a technically correct and factually accurate way. I'm well aware that my story sounds tinfoil hat to the uninformed. Five Eyes have done a good job keeping it quiet, just as US/UK did a good job keeping Ultra quiet. People initially thought David Kahn was being tinfoil hat when he disclosed The Ultra Secret in 1974. This makes it no less true and correct.

If you research this topic you will discover that the more you learn about it the more plausible my statements are. Adiabatic Topological Quantum Computing is currently a hot cutting edge topic, but hard to research academically because the people with access to the best platforms are under NDA and don't publish. This author believes that Professor Stuart Kauffman is overdue for a Nobel Prize, but knows he will never receive one because of the classified nature of the science. Another contributor to this 'secret science' project was awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physics for an ancillary discovery he made while engaged in this project, and now runs an Institute for Quantum Computing Research. David Deutch, who also works at an institute for Quantum Computing, was probably also a contributor, but I don't know that for certain.

This author is trying to find a job.  Next week I have a 2nd interview with a company that (presumably) uses TQNN/AQC technology.  If I accept their offer I will have to sign an NDA, which will presumably prevent me from mentioning this topic ever again.  Thus, it's time for me to turn more of my copious notes into prose.  Before going silent on the topic (and before entering serious discussion of an NDA with a potential employer) I will be sure to copy this entire blog and distribute multiple copies.

(Update on 23 July 2012:  This 2nd interview occurred.  While it would make a very interesting story, in the interest of professionalism I choose to remain silent on the topic.  I'm still looking for work.)