Complete QC Feedback Loop System

This interactive causal loop diagram maps the complete system of reinforcing and balancing feedback loops that drive quantum computing investment. Understanding these loops is essential for analyzing why the quantum computing hype cycle persists despite limited commercial progress.

Reinforcing Loops

The system contains two reinforcing loops that amplify hype and investment:

R1 (Hype Cycle): Research Funding produces Published Results, which generate Media Coverage, which inflates Public Expectations, which drives Political Pressure, which increases Research Funding. Each variable amplifies the next, creating a self-sustaining cycle that operates independently of actual technical progress.

R2 (Investment Cycle): Industry Investment funds Actual Progress, which produces Published Results, which generate Media Coverage, which attracts more Industry Investment. This loop ties private-sector capital to the same media amplification mechanism as R1.

Balancing Loop

B1 (Reality Check): Actual Progress reveals the Hype Gap between reality and expectations. Public Expectations widen this gap from the other side. As the Hype Gap grows, it should dampen Industry Investment. However, the two reinforcing loops typically overpower this single balancing mechanism.

View Complete QC Feedback Loop System MicroSim Fullscreen

Use the loop buttons in the legend to highlight each feedback loop individually. Click any node to see which loops it participates in and read a description of its role. Orange solid arrows with "+" labels indicate reinforcing (same-direction) influences. Blue dashed arrows with "-" labels indicate balancing (opposing) influences. The subtle pulse animation on the R1 loop shows the clockwise direction of the hype cycle. Click empty space to reset the view.