Too much sunshine can go to your head, especially if there's loads of work to do and you really can't be bothered. So, while piles of paperwork beckon, I'm sitting outside listening to the Belgium versus Brazil World Cup match on the radio. Yes, I'm sure I have your sympathy, but someone has to do it.

Some odd, rambling thoughts have occurred to me while I've been sitting here. I knew I should have worn a hat. But I'll share them with you anyway. You're welcome.

Interesting factoids have been popping up in the press recently. According to New Scientist, a few more steps have been taken towards the goal of creating a usable quantum computer (see earlier editorial for more details). There are still some significant hurdles to overcome, but given the progress so far it seems likely that a powerful quantum computer will be in operation within 5-10 years.

Once that happens, all sorts of interesting problems will go away, while plenty of new ones will pop up. Quantum computers will be exceptionally good at finding hidden patterns in vast quantities of data. Rather than calculating all possible permutations, the correct answer will simply emerge from the mass of computations. This should be great for spotting weather patterns, tracking illnesses in populations, identifying causes of global warming and so on.

It also means that existing data encryption techniques are going to be effectively useless. No matter what the type of encryption, it will be possible to crack it. Quantum computing will also provide the solution to this problem: encryption via entanglement, in which any attempt at snooping destroys the information. But until that solution becomes viable and affordable, your data will be accessible.

(As an aside, this isn't really anything new - your data is already accessible. The UK government is continuing its controversial and much-opposed policy of snooping on its citizens' e-mails, browsing habits and phone calls. In a new twist, they're apparently planning to make your data available to just about any vaguely governmental organisation that expresses an interest. Annoyed? Then write to your MP.)

Another aspect of quantum computing is that the science of genetics is likely to advance quickly, again because of the power to find patterns in apparently random strings of data. So it should be possible to identify the genes that control the ageing process. In other words, humans could be given a vastly increased life span. What do you think about that?

• Hooray, we'll all live forever!
• Oh sh*t, we'll all live forever!

A final thought. The theory of evolution suggests that the driving force of human development is our genes. In other words, our genes 'want' to procreate. What's going to happen if we effectively stop them procreating by living forever?

Hmm. Too weird. I think it's time for more sun-screen.