Researchers at the Stanford School of Medicine attempted to measure the computational power of the combined synapses in the typical human brain. Lead researcher Stephen Smith wrote:
Link via Glenn Reynolds Photo by Flickr user dierk schaefer used under Creative Commons license
One synapse, by itself, is more like a microprocessor--with both memory-storage and information-processing elements--than a mere on/off switch. In fact, one synapse may contain on the order of 1,000 molecular-scale switches. A single human brain has more switches than all the computers and routers and Internet connections on Earth.
Link via Glenn Reynolds Photo by Flickr user dierk schaefer used under Creative Commons license
Sidenote: Isn't a router a computer and how many switches does an "Internet connection" have?
Stanford School of Medicine... I see.
Another "pulling impressive sounding numbers completely from your ass" statement brought to you by researchers who's funding is under review.