The human brain is often lauded as one of nature’s most extraordinary creations, as our sensory systems take in trillions of bits of information per second. Yet only a fraction of that makes it to our conscious thought. This revelation raises compelling questions about the nature of human cognition, the constraints of our neural systems, and the evolutionary tradeoffs that have shaped how we think.
The Cognitive Bottleneck
In a new paper, “The unbearable slowness of being,” Caltech researchers Markus Meister and Jieyu Zheng described the brain’s 10 bits per second processing rate as “extremely low” when compared to the immense capacity of our sensory systems: 109 bits/second. Their study proposes that the brain operates in two distinct modes:
The Outer Brain handles the rapid, high-dimensional processing of sensory and motor signals.
The Inner Brain distills this torrent of sensory data into just a few bits necessary for decision-making and behavior.
The glaring contrast between these modes—trillions of bits versus 10—poses a neural conundrum: Why does the brain filter information so dramatically?
Evolution’s Design Constraints
The researchers suggest that evolution shaped this bottleneck. For primitive beings, survival depended on rapid reactions to environmental stimuli, like evading predators or navigating terrain. Over millennia, human cognition evolved to focus on a single “path” of thought at a time—a form of abstract navigation.
The researchers argue that this slowness may be an advantage. “Our ancestors inhabited an environment where the world moved at a manageable pace,” they explain in their paper. “The 10 bits per second are often sufficient for survival.”
Implications for Modern Life
In a hyper-connected world, where sensory overload is the norm, this processing limitation is both a blessing and a challenge. On one hand, it protects us from becoming overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. On the other, it constrains our ability to multitask effectively and adapt to the rapid demands of modern technology.
For instance, they argue, brain-computer interfaces like Neuralink may face a sobering reality check. Despite the product’s ambitious claims, researchers emphasize that the same cognitive speed limits will likely constrain any such device. As the study wryly notes, “Instead of the bundle of Neuralink electrodes, [Elon] Musk could just use a telephone, whose data rate matches human language and cognition.”
The Way Forward
Understanding the brain’s inherent speed limit invites us to rethink how we approach productivity, learning, and technology design. Here are a few takeaways:
Focus on Deep Work. Embrace activities that allow for single-task focus, minimizing distractions that overwhelm our limited cognitive capacity.
Practice Mindfulness. Train your brain to slow down and prioritize what truly matters.
Leverage Technology Thoughtfully. Use tools that enhance focus rather than fragment it further.
Redefine Success. Understand that, in terms of cognitive output, quality often outweighs quantity
Why This Matters
The Caltech study challenges us to confront a fundamental truth: Human cognition operates at a pace that may feel frustratingly slow in the modern world but one that is perfectly calibrated for survival. We can align our behaviours with the brain’s natural rhythms, fostering personal well-being and societal progress, by acknowledging and respecting these limitations.
As Meister writes, “Every moment, we are extracting just 10 bits from the trillion that our senses are taking in and using those ten to perceive the world around us and make decisions.” This breathtaking efficiency—and simplicity—underscores the elegance of the human mind, even as it confronts its limits.
This post also appears at npnhub.com