The smallest possible neuron

Start with the simplest artificial neuron possible.

This is not a picture of a real brain cell. Almost everything has been removed so we can see one basic job.

It has one input and one output. The input is a number arriving at the neuron. The output is the number it passes onward.

For now, the input can be 0 or 1. When it receives 1, the neuron . When it receives 0, it stays quiet.

Turn the input on and watch the 1 pass through.

One input is enough to see the shape of the idea. But it is not enough to make a useful decision. For that, the neuron needs to listen to several signals at once.