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2014 Quote by Michio Kaku

“These computer simulations try only to duplicate the interactions between the cortex and the thalamus. Huge chunks of the brain are therefore missing. Dr. [Dharmendra] Modha understands the enormity of his project. His ambitious research has allowed him to estimate what it would take to create a…” quote by Michio Kaku
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““These computer simulations try only to duplicate the interactions between the cortex and the thalamus. Huge chunks of the brain are therefore missing. Dr. [Dharmendra] Modha understands the enormity of his project. His ambitious research has allowed him to estimate what it would take to create a working model of the entire human brain, and not just a portion or a pale version of it, complete with all parts of the neocortex and connections to the senses. He envisions using not just a single Blue Gene computer [with over a hundred thousand processors and terabytes of RAM] but thousands of them, which would fill up not just a room but an entire city block. The energy consumption would be so great that you would need a thousand-megawatt nuclear power plant to generate all the electricity. And then, to cool off this monstrous computer so it wouldn't melt, you would need to divert a river and send it through the computer circuits. It is remarkable that a gigantic, city-size computer is required to simulate a piece of human tissue that weighs three pounds, fits inside your skull, raises your body temperature by only a few degrees, uses twenty watts of power, and needs only a few hamburgers to keep it going.””

Michio Kaku

About This Quote

Simulating the human brain requires massive computational power far beyond current technology, highlighting the complexity of consciousness.

In simple terms: Brain simulation needs huge resources.

Key Takeaway

Advancing tech is essential for brain modeling.

Themes

science technology complexity

Mood

awe concerned

Type

speculative inquisitive

When to use this quote

  • research labs
  • AI development
  • energy planning

Key Concepts

neuroscience computational modeling

Questions to Reflect On

  • What breakthroughs could reduce energy needs?
  • How might ethics guide massive computing projects?
A Different Perspective

Current limits make full brain simulation impractical.

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