this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] [email protected] 36 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (2 children)

If we are talking facts, neurons don't use electricity, it's a cascade of released ion potentials. Thats why nerves are so much slower than electrical signals.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 4 days ago (1 children)

He should have said "power" not electricity

Humans dissipate power in the range of old tungsten lamps - on the order of 100W at rest, brains use about 20% of that, so 20W - about the same as an energy efficient globe

[–] Kbobabob 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Hi. I'm just curious what part of the world you're from that light bulbs are called a globe?

Cheers.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yeah we call them light globes in Australia, as well as bulbs

[–] Kbobabob 3 points 3 days ago

Thanks. Never heard it before

[–] [email protected] 16 points 4 days ago

It's really both, neurons communicate electrochemically. Neurons establish a voltage difference across their membrane, typically positive outside, negative inside, by concentrating ions on one side or the other. In a single neuron, the action potential (signal) results in the electric polarity of the cell membrane switching to negative outside, positive inside, with the change in gradient cascading down the length of the axon as ions are allowed to flow across the membrane by voltage-gated ion channels. After depolarization, ions are actively and selectively pumped to either side of the membrane, repolarizing it.

There's a lot more to it than that but it's 100% charge dependent. The change in charge is mediated by the flow of ions across a membrane instead of the flow of electrons through a conductor, hence why it's slower.

[–] [email protected] 73 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Contrary to popular belief, we're all profoundly stupid. Even the smartest among us spend enormous effort in their struggle to comprehend our surroundings.

[–] esc27 35 points 5 days ago (3 children)

At least half of us are below average.

[–] Eheran 33 points 5 days ago (1 children)
[–] yogurtwrong 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

But in a perfect bell curve, isn't the median always the same as the average?

And even if it's not a perfectly symetrical bell curve, aren't they generally close enough to ignore the differance

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 days ago (1 children)

If we're talking about IQ, than no. An IQ between 85 and 115 is considered average. This entails 68% of the population. So, only 32% of people are not average and only 16% are below average.

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[–] FinalRemix 13 points 5 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 14 points 5 days ago (23 children)

It's not. I assure you there are far more outliers on the low end.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I endeavour to be as stupid as possible so more people can be above average.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago

America thanks you for your service.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

That's quite a reduction and profoundly stupid. First off, the simple fact that-- WOAH, there's a wall here??

[–] [email protected] 55 points 5 days ago (6 children)

Fun fact, the average adult brain also has a credit cards worth of plastic inside. So that bacon has some company!

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[–] [email protected] 61 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Maybe the brain will one day invent something more tiresome than watching reddit users exchange tautologies.

[–] [email protected] 55 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I often describe myself as "3lbs of mostly fat piloting a meat mech." To the point that my wife sometimes refers to injuries as malfunctions/damage to her meat mech.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 days ago

I’m an ugly bag of mostly water.

[–] [email protected] 28 points 5 days ago (1 children)
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[–] RubberElectrons 18 points 5 days ago (4 children)
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[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I Upvoted just for the tapioca mention

[–] MintyFresh 3 points 3 days ago

Tapioca does sound good.

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