QuoteProject
The most complex object in the known universe: brain, only uses 20 watts of power. It would require a nuclear power plant to energize a computer the size of a city block to mimic your brain, and your brain does it with just 20 watts. So if someone calls you a dim bulb, that's a compliment.
Michio Kaku
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The brain is an incredibly efficient organ that operates on minimal power compared to machines.

This quote highlights the exceptional efficiency and complexity of the human brain, comparing its low power consumption to that of a massive computer. Michio Kaku emphasizes that despite being perceived as 'dim' at times, our brains are remarkably sophisticated and capable, efficiently managing functions with minimal energy—much more so than any artificial system could hope to achieve without immense power.

Themes

BrainEfficiencyPowerComplexityComparisonTechnology

In practice

Example use cases

During a science talk about the brain's efficiency in energy usage.

More from Michio Kaku

The Europeans and the Americans are not throwing $10 billion down this gigantic tube for nothing. We're exploring the very forefront of physics and cosmology with the Large Hadron Collider because we want to have a window on creation, we want to recreate a tiny piece of Genesis to unlock some of the greatest secrets of the universe.
Michio KakuRead
Cancer is like the common cold; there are so many different types. In the future we'll still have cancer, but we'll detect it very, very early, so that it won't kill anybody. We'll zap it at the molecular level decades before it grows into a tumor.
Michio KakuRead
When you look at the calculation, it's amazing that every time you try to prove or disprove time travel, you've pushed Einstein's theory to the very limits where quantum effects must dominate. That's telling us that you really need a theory of everything to resolve this question. And the only candidate is string theory.
Michio KakuRead
Consciousness-one level is understanding where we are in space. Consciousness two is where we understand our position in society: who's top dog, who's underdog and who's in the middle. And type-three consciousness is simulating the future. And type-three consciousness, only humans have this ability to see far into the future.
Michio KakuRead
Some advice: keep the flame of curiosity and wonderment alive, even when studying for boring exams. That is the well from which we scientists draw our nourishment and energy. And also, learn the math. Math is the language of nature, so we have to learn this language.
Michio KakuRead
After that cancellation [of the Superconducting Super Collider in Texas, after $2 billion had been spent on it], we physicists learned that we have to sing for our supper. ... The Cold War is over. You can't simply say "Russia!" to Congress, and they whip out their checkbook and say, "How much?" We have to tell the people why this atom-smasher is going to benefit their lives.
Michio KakuRead

Similar quotes

There must be no barriers for freedom of inquiry... There is no place for dogma in science. The scientist is free, and must be free to ask any question, to doubt any assertion, to seek for any evidence, to correct any errors.
J. Robert OppenheimerRead
We keep, in science, getting a more and more sophisticated view of our essential ignorance.
Warren WeaverRead
Scientific discovery may not be better than sex, but the satisfaction lasts longer.
Stephen HawkingRead
All you are is a bag of particles acting out the laws of physics. That to me is pretty clear.
Brian GreeneRead
My study is NOT as a climatologist, but from a completely different perspective in_x000D_ which I am an expert … For decades, as a professional experimental test engineer, I have analyzed experimental data and watched others massage and present data. I became a cynic; My conclusion - 'if someone is aggressively selling a technical product who's merits are dependent on complex experimental data, he is likely lying'. That is true whether the product is an airplane or a Carbon Credit.
Burt RutanRead
Theory attracts practice as the magnet attracts iron.
Carl Friedrich GaussRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.