The human brain operates much slower than the average internet connection. Despite gathering information at a staggering rate, our brains process these signals at just 10 bits per second – a rate millions of times slower than the input.
A recent study has revealed that while individual neurons can transmit signals at speeds greater than 10 bits per second individually, the collective processing rate of the brain remains slow at 10 bits per second. This bottleneck reflects the brain’s focus on quality over quantity, filtering out vast amounts of sensory data to concentrate on the most relevant details for survival and decision-making.
The brain’s “speed limit” likely evolved for survival. Early nervous systems in primitive organisms were simple and designed for basic tasks like navigating toward food and avoiding predators. As humans evolved, this limitation carried over into our more complex brains, prioritizing quality, focus, and survival over speed and multitasking.
This sequential thought process contrasts with machines, such as computers, which can perform millions of parallel calculations almost instantly. However, humans excel at prioritizing, filtering out unnecessary data to focus on what’s vital for survival. Understanding the brain’s speed limit raises questions about the future of neuroscience and artificial intelligence, potentially unlocking insights into enhancing human cognition and developing smarter technologies.
The study highlights a paradox about human intelligence, despite being relatively slow thinkers, humans excel in creativity, emotion, and adaptability – traits machines have yet to master.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/brain-processing-speed-is-millions-of-times-slower-than-wi-fi