Einstein’s brain, like all brains, is composed of neurons and glial cells. The neurons transmit electrochemical signals to each other, and glial cells provide the neurons with various forms of support and insulation. It is common knowledge that a neuron can only transmit a signal in one direction; however, recent research suggests otherwise. Whether or not synaptic transmission is bi-directional, neurons transmit signals very quickly – generally believed to be at speeds greater than 200 mph. Each neuron can be connected to more than just two other neurons. While some make only a few connections, most make thousands. The vast network of synaptic connections coupled with signal transmission speed is one of the reasons why the brain is so efficient. Another important point is that a neuron is a single cell. The brain is composed of roughly 100 billion neurons. Each neuron doesn’t think for itself. A person’s thoughts emerge from the brain’s neuronal networks.
A brain composed of Einsteins, on the other hand, is probably not as efficient as Einstein’s brain. If each neuron is replaced with an Einstein, then each neuron is replaced with a brain containing 100 billion neurons. This certainly seems like it would make for a more powerful brain, and this may be true if each neuron was replaced with 100 billion more neurons, though it would take much longer for information to travel. Unfortunately, Einstein is not just 100 billion neurons. Something must house those neurons, specifically, the human body. Assuming the Einsteins don’t possess telepathic powers, they must communicate via the five senses, perhaps using verbal speech or body language or sign language or pheromones. It would take much, much longer for one Einstein to communicate something to the next Einstein or thousands of other Einsteins. Even though each neuron is an Einstein, each Einstein does not necessarily think the same things as the other Einsteins at the same time. Identical twins theoretically have the same DNA (it’s almost the same, but some genes can be expressed on one that aren’t on the other due to environmental factors), but they don’t have the same thoughts. So an Einstein might try to communicate something to another Einstein, but the receiving Einstein might not understand what the transmitting Einstein is trying to say, so the transmitting Einstein must further explain until the receiving Einstein understands, otherwise the signal cannot be passed down to the next Einstein. But each Einstein is likely to be communicating the signal to thousands of other Einsteins, many of which could be confused. It would take an excruciatingly long time for just one signal to be transmitted. One can only imagine how long it would take if some of the Einsteins were uncooperative. The brain would probably be a massive web of confusion.
Albert Einstein may have been a genius, but a person whose brain is composed of Einsteins might have trouble staying alive.
Riki, you make some really pertinent points, and I’d like to say that the sheer awesome power of your links added strong backup to your argument.
The argument regarding the Einsteins’ communication was brought up in class; I am curious as to how Einsteins would be miraculously in sync as well… as you mention, it is one thing to be a genius, but another thing entirely to be telepathic (i.e. a brain composed of Einsteins is going to have amazingly horrible lag in any communications). Also, I think the argument regarding the level of observation (concerning the makeup of the brain) is a really valid point in the argument as well.