The Black Hole Information Paradox and Quantum Codes

Abstract: In 1974, Stephen Hawking argued that black holes destroy information, counter to a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics, calling into question how general relativity and quantum mechanics could ever be unified. Ever since then physicists have wrestled with this question. I will explain the history of this debate, with a focus on modern developments that use ideas from the theory of quantum information and computation to finally offer a sharp resolution.