Study Reveals Human Thought Processes Are Astonishingly Slow

New research shows the brain processes conscious thought at just 10 bits per second, far slower than sensory input or modern computing systems.

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology found that human thought operates at a rate of 10 bits per second, a fraction of the speed of sensory data processing and modern Wi-Fi connections.
The study highlights a paradox: while the brain processes sensory information rapidly, it filters this data down to a slow, single-threaded stream for conscious decision-making.
Scientists suggest this 'speed limit' may have evolved as an optimal mechanism for survival, allowing early humans to focus on one path or decision at a time in their environment.
The findings indicate that while our brains are powerful in some respects, they are outpaced by machines in tasks requiring rapid, parallel information processing.
Published in the journal Neuron, the research raises questions about the limitations of human cognition and how these insights could influence the development of artificial intelligence.