Caltech researchers revealed that human brains operate at a processing rate of merely 10 bits per second, while sensory systems handle trillions of bits. This bottleneck results from evolutionary adaptations that prioritize quick responses to environmental stimuli. The brain functions through two modes: the Outer Brain quickly processes sensory inputs, while the Inner Brain distills that influx into manageable bits for decision-making. This limitation has become a double-edged sword in today's fast-paced, information-heavy society, balancing between protecting against sensory overload and hindering cognitive performance.
Our ancestors inhabited an environment where the world moved at a manageable pace. The 10 bits per second are often sufficient for survival.
The glaring contrast between trillions of bits versus 10 poses a neural conundrum: Why does the brain filter information so dramatically?
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