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Margaux Kearney's picture

Brain as a computer? a machine?

Last class, Pr.Grobstein left us with a question on whether or not the brain could be compared to a computer. During class we discussed that this was not a good analogy as neurons are not wires. Instead, it is better to state that neurons are in fact the computers as they take complex inputs, analyze them (determines whether or not threshold is reached) and create inputs (action potentials). However, after doing some research online, I came about this site that compares the brain to a computer: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/bvc.html. I was perfectly content viewing neurons as the "computer" until I read this site. I can also see how the brain can be compared to a computer as well. What are the summary of observations that show that the brain could be compared to the internet, for example? It's not possible to have the brain and neurons compared to the same analogy.

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