"We shall probably never attain the power of measuring the velocity of nervous action; for we have not the opportunity of comparing its propagation through immense space, as we have in the case of light"
- Johannes P. Muller
About this Quote
This quote by Johannes P. Muller is referring to the trouble of measuring the speed of nerve impulses. Light is a lot easier to determine because it travels through enormous area, permitting us to compare its speed. Nevertheless, nerve impulses travel through the body, making it hard to determine their speed. This quote suggests that it is unlikely that we will ever be able to accurately determine the velocity of nerve impulses due to the absence of opportunity to compare them to something like light. It is possible that advances in technology may one day permit us to measure the speed of nerve impulses, however for now, it stays a mystery. This quote functions as a reminder of the intricacy of the body and the difficulty of comprehending its inner operations.
"The opportunity to create a small world between two pieces of cardboard, where time exists yet stands still, where people talk and I tell them what to say, is exciting and rewarding"
