Cognitive limits of the human brain

Heard in 3 episodes across 3 shows since Jul 2026

The cognitive limits of the human brain refer to the inherent constraints on human information processing, memory capacity, attention, and decision-making. These boundaries are dictated by the biological structure and metabolic constraints of the central nervous system, which coordinates and integrates sensory information. Key concepts illustrating these limits include working memory capacity constraints (such as Miller's Law) and social processing thresholds like Dunbar's number.