A recent study published in the journal Neuron compared the speed of human brain processing to Wi-Fi speeds. Researchers from California Institute of Technology calculated the rate of information processing in tasks such as solving puzzles, memorizing numbers, and playing games. They found that the average human thought process is around 10 bits per second.
For comparison, Wi-Fi speeds are measured in hundreds of millions of bits per second, while the human eye processes information at 100 million bits per second. The study suggests that our brains have two modes: one for fast sensory and motor signals (the “outer” brain) and another for processing simpler information needed to control behavior (the “inner” brain).
Despite the slow speed, experts believe it’s sufficient for our evolutionary needs. Early humans developed central nervous systems to move towards food and avoid predators, using a linear mode of thinking that is still effective today. The study proposes new research directions to better understand this unique processing system.
The authors suggest that our brains have adapted to their environment by making survival possible in a world where changes occur at a slower pace. In most cases, the brain only needs to process 10 bits per second, which is sufficient for everyday tasks.
Source: https://www.salon.com/2024/12/30/humans-think-slower-than-expected-study-finds