Is the Human Mind Instantaneous?

The notion of an instantaneous human mind is often questioned, and for good reason. The human mind, truly, is not a machine capable of inhabiting an instant. The thought process and the brain's activity are a result of constant sense inputs and predefined programs. Without such inputs, the brain remains in an auto-pilot mode, performing automatic tasks with the same efficiency throughout life.

Automatic Processes vs. Thoughtful Actions

Take, for example, the automatic flow of blood in the body. The regulation of blood flow from left to right, the cleaning by the heart, and the efficient management of pressure from feet to brain and brain to feet are all handled without the need for thoughts. These processes happen automatically, governed by pre-programmed mechanisms. However, actions like swimming, running, jumping, hiding, speaking, or keeping silent all require thoughtful processing. The mind allows for options, leading to decisions that can be delayed to fickle-mindedness, providing time for reflection, or even causing impromptu decisions in critical situations, such as 'fight or flight.'

Thought as a Co-Inhabitant with Mind

Thought, indeed, is inseparable from the mind, much like a nail is to a finger or a hydrogen atom is to oxygen, forming water (H2O). The human mind functions simultaneously in both hemispheres, the right and the left, surfacing different brainwaves to make logical decisions. This characteristic ensures that thought is slow and not instantaneous, but it ensures a timely and accurate response to stimuli.

The Manifestation of Brain Function

The human mind can be seen as a manifestation of brain function, not as an object that can be described as instantaneous. Similar to how a bowling ball exists in the same time it occupies, thoughts take time to form and process. While certain processes in the brain occur in milliseconds, such as signals between hemispheres (which take around 0.1 milliseconds), complex thought processes take much longer.

Measuring Thought Processing Time

Scientific studies and technological advancements have allowed us to measure the speed of thought processing in humans. Compared to modern computers, human thought is indeed slow, but it is a fascinating science. For example, getting a signal from one side of the brain to the other takes approximately 0.1 milliseconds. Highly practiced reactions, like a racer's response to a start signal, take around 150 milliseconds. This is considered a no-thought response, but typical experimental results show that cognitive reactions often occur within a few hundred milliseconds.

Ultradian Precision in Measuring Mental Activity

The precision with which we can measure mental activity has significantly improved over the decades. Using electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), scientists can record the time course of mental activity with great accuracy. These measurements are often taken at rates up to a few kilohertz to capture both the subtle changes and the noise advantages in the brain's activity.

While the human mind is not instantaneous, it can be thrilling to explore the intricate processes that enable us to think, react, and act in the world. These insights not only enrich our understanding of the human experience but also demonstrate the remarkable capabilities of the human brain.