Despite its complexity, the human brain processes information significantly slower than a computer.
New research reveals that our thinking speed is capped at just 10 bits per second, a stark contrast to the rapid sensory data collection our brain achieves. This discovery raises intriguing questions about how the brain filters and prioritizes information.
By Aubree Ross
How slow is Human Thought?
Researchers at Caltech have quantified the speed of human thinking, demonstrating that it operates at a mere 10 bits per second. This measure was derived from studies analyzing activities like typing, speaking, and solving puzzles. For instance, typing occurs at about 10 bits per second, while solving a Rubik’s Cube reaches a maximum of 11.3 bits per second. These findings highlight the brain’s deliberate pace, especially when compared to the rapid data transmission rates of modern computers.
The Paradox of Sensory Input
While our conscious thought processes are slow, the brain’s sensory systems gather data at astonishing rates. A single receptor in the eye can process 270 bits per second, while the entire eye captures up to 1.6 billion bits per second. Despite this, only 10 bits per second are consciously utilized for perception and decision-making. As Markus Meister, lead author of the study, explained, “Every moment, we extract just 10 bits from the trillions of bits our senses gather to navigate and interact with the world.”
Evolution’s Influence on Thought
The brain’s processing limitation may stem from its evolutionary origins. Early life forms relied on straightforward neural systems to approach food and avoid predators. This simplicity may explain why the brain processes thoughts sequentially rather than simultaneously. While our senses can handle multiple streams of input at once, abstract thinking and decision-making remain confined to a single focus at a time.
Implications for Future Technology
This “speed limit” of 10 bits per second has significant implications for technologies like brain-computer interfaces, such as Neuralink. These systems aim to enhance communication between the brain and machines, but the study suggests their effectiveness may still be capped by the brain’s natural limits. While promising, this research underscores the gap between the rapid capabilities of machines and the deliberate pace of human cognition.
The brain’s processing speed limitation highlights the complexity and uniqueness of human cognition. This finding prompts more profound questions about how the brain filters vast amounts of sensory data into manageable thought processes. Understanding these constraints could shape future innovations in brain-computer interfaces and our broader understanding of human intelligence.
Based on content from www.futurezone.at and own research.