What a question. Just think of the necessary evidence that one would need to produce in order to prove, or disprove, that statement. In fact, what is the question about really? Is it whether a human brain or a computer is faster, or is it which form of information processing is better? Is it even a fair comparison? Today, I’d like to engage MakeUseOf readers into a debate on this subject by first providing my own take – and then asking for yours.

The Question: Does a Human Think Faster Than a Computer?

The question itself represents the fallacy of how people think about computers. When a person uses a computer, if it’s slow then it’s junk. But there are certainly other factors to consider when examining intelligence – what about image recognition, language recognition, multi-tasking capabilities or self-learning and self-healing features?

First, to partially answer the “speed” question we need to examine data transmission. In the Hartford Examiner, writer Joy Casad answers the question, “How fast is a thought” by describing the chemical/biological propagation of “thinking” neurons before getting to the point in the final paragraph – these neurons transmit signals at 0.5 milliseconds. That’s pretty fast!

In 2006, the fastest reported fiber optic transmission rate was 2.56 terabits a second. Okay, but a bit is nothing more than a zero and a one. Well – the current state of the art is the cutting edge subatomic technology created by Stanford researchers representing one bit with 35 electrons, or 35,000,000,000 electrons a millisecond. Due to the fact that axon/neuron electrical transmission depends on the chemical and biological environment it is in, data transmission of one neuron is actually millions of times slower than the fastest electrical transmission rates over copper electrical wire, and even slower compared to fiber optics. Score one for computers.

What About Processing Power?

The question of processing is a tricky one. According to the Top500 list of super computers, the fastest one as of 2009 is the RoadRunner BladeCenter at 12.8 GFlops (floating point operations per second).

A GFlop represents a billion operations per second. Now, you’re thinking of that Monday morning in class when your professor asked you to perform a simple calculation and your mind went blank. You’re ready to chalk up another point to computers, right? Wrong.

While the transmission of electrical impulses may be slower in the brain than over wire, the processing power of the brain is represented by not one, but thousands of processors backed into one major super computer. One example is the retina, which is sort of like your computer web cam, in that it transmits light (images) to the brain for processing. Except the retina itself has its own processing power, sort of like a subprocessor – 100 million neurons packed into a one centimeter by one millimeter space.

This stunning little processor is capable of processing ten images, each of about a million light points, every single second. Not only that, the data isn’t transmitted over a single fiber of nerve cells, but over a cable to the brain made up of a million of these fibers, all transmitting bits of data at the same time in parallel. If you multiply the processing power of this volume of neurons by the overall size of the average 1,500 cubic cm human brain, the overall processing power of the brain is about 100 million, million operations per second. For those of you who are trying to do the math with your super computer brain – that’s over 100,000 times more processing power than today’s cutting-edge super computer.

Image and Language Recognition, Learning and Common Sense

If our brains are such super computers, then why do we feel so dense and so slow sometimes? I don’t know about you, but I’m horrible at doing calculations in my head. The problem is that people think of computers only in terms of how many calculations it can do per second. The truth is, when it comes to intelligence there’s so much more to process than calculations alone. How do you calculate what the tone of someone’s voice implies they are really saying?  How do you calculate the irony of a joke that, when taken literally, makes no sense at all? This is where the true power of the human brain makes itself known.

Have you ever had a friend who was such a genius that they could perform the most astounding calculations in their head, or they could fathom the most complex equations or problems imaginable – yet when faced with the simplest common-sense joke, they just didn’t get it? This is the major difference between a human brain and a computer.

Author Gary Marcus writes, in his book on the human mind that, “The fundamental difference between computers and the human mind is in the basic organization of memory.”

What he means is that a computer organizes information in a logical way. To retrieve data, the computer uses logical storage locations. A human brain, on the other hand, remembers where information is stored based on cues. Those cues are other pieces of information or memories connected to the information you need to retrieve. This means that the human mind can connect an almost unlimited number of concepts in a variety of ways, and then sometimes disconnect or recreate connections based on new information. This allows the human to step outside the boundaries of what has already been learned – leading to new art and new inventions that are the trademark of the human race.

There are a lot of other ways the human mind blows computers away – it can self repair itself, it can produce chemical reactions within its host body to induce instinctive reactions and protect itself from danger, it can handle every last function required to operate the machine of the human body while simultaneously processing information from outside that body, and most importantly it can continue learning and building new connections within that contextual storage array in ways that seem infinite.

In short, the answer to the question “Does a human think faster than a computer?” is yes. And it can also do a whole lot more than that.

Geeks out there – weigh in with your opinion in the comments section below!

Image Credits: cbowns

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However, if we are to be killing time at work, what better way of doing so than to give our brains a good mental work-out?

Today, we’ll take a break from all those first person shooters and online multiplayer fantasies. Instead, MakeUseOf brings you an assorted compilation of three wonderful, yet challenging puzzle games.

Stopple

A desktop recreation of the ever so popular Bloxorz flash game. The concept is simple: get your moving block to land vertically on the circular pad. Proceeding to do this is another matter – as special tiles, buttons and hatches will make your life miserable for the effort.

This game is guaranteed to bring you tons of fun, as you work your way through the 32 levels of the original game. However, you can now enjoy it in full screen without any distractions and play it offline as well.

Supported Operating Systems
Windows 95 to Vista

Known System Requirements
Pentium II® 400
64 MB RAM
5 MB Free Hard Drive Space
16 MB or Greater DirectX 7.0 Compatible 3D Graphics Accelerator

DUOtris

The creator of addictive arcade shooter mono surprises us again with DUOtris. Don’t get misguided by the title and looks of the game, because the concept couldn’t differ more from Tetris.

Your objective in the game is to piece together at least three blocks of the same color to eliminate them. Not only that, you’ve got mirrored zones with different colouring. That means, different coloured blocks moving dependently on both sides of the screens.

The only way you’re going to get through this is through a masterful combination of agility and compositional thinking. And of course, by deploying the various powerups, which are mixed with the other blocks.

Supported Operating Systems
Windows

Known System Requirements
DirectX 9.0b or higher (Download DX10/DX9)

Floating Islands Game

FIG, or Floating Islands Game, can best be described as an innovative solo Lemmings adventure. The game features code and artwork by Arvu Teikari (Hempuli) and has been praised already by innumerably on the web.

In the game, you guide a brain-dead guy through a series of floating islands, while collecting all the stars. However, direct interaction with the character is impossible and the only way of manipulating him is through the environment. So pull the switch, burn the rope, do whatever you can to get your little guy from one side to another.

There’s also a secret blue star in each level. You’ll need all of these blue stars to unlock and play the last five levels. It won’t be an easy task, but it’s sure as hell worth it.

FIG is an incredibly imaginative and addictive game, so prepare to loose complete track of time. The artwork won’t hold up to the Mona Lisa, but it’s a fun and playful style to depict the craziest of worlds.

Supported Operating Systems
Windows

If you liked these games, you might also like 4 Flash Games To Kick-Start Your Brain, or James Withers’ article about GWAP Brain Games.

If you’ve got any other suggestions or comments, don’t be shy to share them below.

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But anyone can do something for their brain’s fitness. Here’s a small selection of things you can do online:

1. Search the internet

Apparently, searching the internet requires decision-making and complex reasoning, which is a challenge for the brain and keeps the respective key centers in a top notch condition. But instead of using Google all the time, try something new. There are hundreds of search engines out there and you’ll find some of these have been covered on MakeUseOf. Don’t be lazy, give them a chance!

If you can’t do without Google, at least try another interface, such as Sputtr for example:

2. Read blogs

But don’t stick to the same old, variation is what counts. So discover and read a new blog every week, for example by following links in Blogrolls or from interesting comments. You can also search randomly or by category using the Find Blogs search engine. There is quite a selection to enjoy. Interestingly, MakeUseOf is not listed…shame on them!

3. Read news

And not just those that are obvious. Try to find out about what’s going on in another country. Keeping the brain active is all about feeding it with information. Not just any information, but rather things you have a natural interest in, including things you may find difficult to understand at first. News is a door opener to many topics, for example politics, international relationships, history, landscape, the local food or language.

I am not going to recommend any mainstream site as I’m sure you all know CNN and the BBC and whatnot. For a bit of a different view in 43 languages, try World News. And remember, if you were not curious about anything at all, you would not be reading this in the first place!

4. Play Games

Games where you have to use your mind that is! Sudoku, crossword puzzles, riddles, all great ways to challenge the mind. But after some time you’ll need to increase the difficulty or switch to another stimulus to avoid monotony.

Braingle is an excellent source for different brain teasers! Besides that, the trivia, games and community, I found the Mentalrobics section very inspiring. Within the categories creativity, vocabulary, memory, and stress you’ll find lots of useful information on how your brain works and how you can take advantage of that, for example to master stress.

Also have a look at Simon’s article on web games for Brain fitness and Games for the Brain for a broader spectrum of games in different languages. Other than the same old, there is Guess the Flag, Crime Scene where you have to identify people, Memocoly where you memorize colors, and many more. The twist is that while you’re playing games, an IQ score evaluates your achievements.

5. Can you raed, Tihs?

Ins’t it urtlety cnosufnig waht the mnid can do? We otefn do not raielze jsut how mcuh our biran is cabalpe of. Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig!

And the truth is, recruiting the potential your mind actually has is key to brain fitness. So never tire to try new things, especially if they may seem difficult. Maybe you can even see the 3D image in this:

For more 3D Stereogram Images and other illusions check out Eyetricks.

6. Socialize

Interactions with other people stimulate the brain. Even if these interactions happen online. So if you’ve been avoiding social networks (like myself), pull yourself together and give it a try. Everyone will find a community they can benefit from. Who knows whom you will meet, the world is only a fingertip away. And besides, connecting with other people brings happiness. The challenge is to figure it all out!

7. Listen to music

On MakeUseOf we have shown you tons of ways to discover music. While most music recommendation engines go by what you already like to suggest new things, to stimulate your brain cells you should actually try to listen to something completely different. Use your newly developed social skills and follow the musical likes of random strangers. Did you know music can trigger emotions?

8. Learn a language

When you search MakeUseOf for “learn language” you’ll find several websites that will teach you foreign languages for free or in a community based setting, where you can teach someone else at the same time.

One Minute Languages is a new one that has not been covered before. With all the things we have to pack into our lives today, One Minute Languages gives you an opportunity to sneak peek into a language. There are ten lessons to each language and each lesson is only a few minutes long. So it’s actually more than a minute, who would have thought!

Once you have completed the ten lessons you’ll be far away from actually speaking that language. However, you may be encouraged to study it in depth. And nothing is more challenging for the brain than to learn, speak and think in a foreign language. Think big, but start simple.

9. Make her turn the other way around…

Is she turning clockwise or counter clockwise? Try to make her turn the other way around. It really works, but don’t interpret too much into it!

10. Learn more!

If all of this made you curious about your own brain, check out Sharp Brains, a website that provides plenty of brain-related information. As “the brain fitness authority” they present the latest news and research on brain-related matter, including studies on exercises, improving memory, stress management and they feature interviews with the leading experts in the field.

Other websites to consider are The Brain from Top to Bottom and Your Amazing Brain, both of which offers detailed background information in Wiki-How style. The Brain from Top to Bottom is especially fascinating. You can select your level of understanding from beginner to advanced, learn about the brain from different points of view, even in French and I just love the overall concept of the site.

Taken together, the secret of brain fitness is to constantly challenge the brain. Doing crossword puzzles or playing Sudoku is great, but in the long run it’s monotonous. To keep your brain fit, you should learn something new every day. What did you learn today?

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As a reply to this huge part of the free gaming community, there will be one weekly MUO Gaming compilation of Flash games.

For this very first episode, we have pointed the theme towards a very important aspect of ourselves and our lives. It’s the thing that keeps the drool in our mouth and our feet on the ground nearly every day. As you may have guessed, I’m talking about our brain.

Featured in this article are five web-based games to kick-start your brain in the morning, or to keep it going in the evening. Our favorite logic and memory flash games.

Z-Rox

Z-Rox is a brilliant game. It’s a game that’ll make you use parts of your brain that you probably haven’t used before, maybe even parts you don’t realise you have.

Here’s the concept. On your screen is a line. This line is getting longer, shorter or breaking up into different parts. The thing is, you don’t have to look at it as a line, you have to look at it as a very slim window.

Behind this window, several things will fly upwards, be it letters, numbers or shapes. By looking at the changing line, you have to determine the global form of the object.

It’s almost impossible to guess all of them, but because it’d be a huge shame to miss out on half of the levels, just because you’re stuck at one, a walk-through is provided here. Try to use it as less as possible.

Loops of Zen

You’ll probably recognize the principle behind “Loops of Zen”. Your screen is filled with lines, which you can turn respectively 90, 180, 270 or 360 degrees. Hereby, you must reach the point wherein all the lines are properly connected.

At the beginning of the game this looks pretty easy, but the levels gradually get harder, towards the point where you’ll be staring in despair at the screen.

Use your mouse to tilt the tiles, the arrow keys to skip back and forth through the levels and the ‘m’ key to mute the sound.

light-Bot

Meet light-Bot. He’s like Wall-E. Only less cute, less patented and less smart. You can help him with that last one, though.

Your job (no, you won’t get paid) is to program little light-Bot. Using simple commands (like walk, turn jump, etc.) and repeating functions, you can make him maneuver through the environment and light up specific tiles.

Logic Problems – Mom Goes Shopping

A woman took her four kids shopping one afternoon. To keep the peace, she said she’d buy one item each of their choice. As she shopped, she discovered that there were four extra items in her shopping cart that she hadn’t added or approved. After leaving the store, they stopped at an ice cream stand for a snack. She bought each child got an ice cream cone and a drink. From the clues, determine the item each child got, the extra item each child snuck into the cart, the flavor of ice cream each got, and the type of drink.

1. Amanda, who had maple walnut ice cream, didn’t get the fruit juice or the coloring book.
2. Sara didn’t get the comic book or the doll but she did slip the board game into the cart.
3. The boy who got the toy car didn’t add the action figure and didn’t have strawberry ice cream.
4. Each child is represented by the following: the girl who got the doll, the boy who got chocolate chip ice cream, Chris, and the girl who got milk.
5. Sara didn’t have vanilla ice cream. The boy who added the baseball cards got water to drink.
6. The child who got the computer game got iced tea. Larry didn’t get water.

Now which is connected to what item? This is a very classic type of riddle, but one that never gets old. Push your deduction skills to the limit and learn to make connections.

Puzzles.com hosts tons of different entertaining and mind-breaking puzzles.

We’ll bring you more compilations of flash games next time. In the meantime, do you have any favourites of online brain games that you’d like to share with us? What games get you thinking?

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