On the one hand:

> Could that task be performed by simply the right set of transistors, at the hardware level, no matter how insanely arranged?

> What shortcuts could be taken?

Seems to be suggesting ASICs as is done with Bitcoin mining. On the other about optical rather than electrical which could be more efficient, i.e. produce less heat.

I was expecting a completely different post about evolution of brains that operate with photons, and another jump to entangled ones.