The unbearable slowness of being: Why do we live at 10 bits/s?

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This discussion centers around the measurement of the brain's cognitive processing speed, specifically the claim that humans operate at a rate of approximately 10 bits per second. Users argue that this measurement is oversimplified and fails to account for the brain's complexity as a general-purpose computer. Comments suggest that this metric inadequately captures the vastness of human cognition, as it primarily relies on task-specific definitions that do not encompass broader neurological activities. Critics emphasize the vast discrepancy between incoming sensory information (which may be processed at gigabits per second) and the slower rate of conscious thought processing, arguing that the brain's intrinsic capabilities significantly surpass the extrinsic measures provided in the article. This dichotomy leads to questions about how well we can truly compare human cognitive functions to those of computers and the appropriateness of using 'bits' as a metric for understanding human cognition. Furthermore, commenters highlight the ineffectiveness of applying information theory too rigidly to such a multifaceted system like the brain, advocating for a more nuanced understanding. Overall, while the article opens a fascinating discussion about cognitive processing rates, it appears to oversimplify the intricacies of human thought and perception.
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