I received an email today, touting a “quantum leap in technology.” Folks, this lady had no idea what the hell that really means. Let’s look, shall we?

Quantum - from physics. The smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently, especially a discrete quantity of electromagnetic radiation.

When electrons go from one energy shell to the next, they make a “Quantum Leap.” That is to say, they absorb enough energy to move up a level. Do you know how small that leap really is? Really friggin tiny. Want exact numbers? Go somewhere else. I’ve got a blog to run.

Anyway, when someone says, “Quantum Leap” what are really saying is that it is the next incremental step. There are no, and can be no, intermediary steps. This does not make your product revolutionary. It makes it “New and Improved,” which, by the way, is an oxymoron anyway.

Now, if by “Quantum Leap” they are talking about Scott Bakula, I make no claims whatsoever.