Just like our bodies have limits to the amount of food we can consume, our brains also have limitations on how much information they can process. The problem is that our brains use up a lot of energy to process information, so there’s only so much it can handle at a time. Imagine trying to eat an entire book in one bite! Our brain’s attention span is like trying to read only two sentences out of that whole book. We end up missing out on more than 99% of the visual input around us. And it’s not just limited to our sense of sight; this bottleneck affects all our senses. If we become less blind to the visual world, our other senses become more blind as a result.
All brains suffer a processing or attentional bottleneck because neural processing consumes a large fraction of available metabolic energy [1]. For example, each second human vision recognizes only about 40 bits out of 20 megabytes of input information into human eyes (roughly two short sentences out of a whole book of text) [2]. We are therefore blind to more than 99% of visual input information. This attentional bottleneck is shared across senses, such that being less blind to visual inputs causes more blindness in the other senses [3].
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.