Audio long read: How a silly science prize changed my career
Nature Podcast
Deep Dive
What is the Ig Nobel Prize and what is its purpose?
The Ig Nobel Prize, created by Marc Abrahams in 1991, is a satirical award that honors scientific achievements that 'make people laugh, then think.' It aims to highlight unusual, humorous, and thought-provoking research.
Why did Eleanor McGuire initially decline the Ig Nobel Prize?
Eleanor McGuire, a neuroscientist at University College London, initially declined the Ig Nobel Prize because she feared it would harm her career. She was being honored for her study showing that London taxi drivers have larger hippocampi than people in other professions.
How did winning the Ig Nobel Prize impact Eleanor McGuire's career?
Winning the Ig Nobel Prize brought significant attention to Eleanor McGuire's work, leading to widespread media coverage and public interest. It also helped her engage more with the public and boosted her professional reputation.
What was the first documented case of homosexual necrophilia in ducks, and who reported it?
The first documented case of homosexual necrophilia in ducks was reported by ornithologist Kees Muliker in 1995. He observed a live duck mounting a dead one that had flown into a glass wall at the Natural History Museum Rotterdam.
How did the Ig Nobel Prize influence Kees Muliker's career?
Winning the Ig Nobel Prize significantly boosted Kees Muliker's career by increasing the readership of his paper and establishing him as 'the Duck Guy.' He later published a book and gave a TED talk, dedicating much of his life to science communication.
Who is the only person to have won both a Nobel Prize and an Ig Nobel Prize?
Andre Geim, a physicist at the University of Manchester, UK, is the only person to have won both a Nobel Prize and an Ig Nobel Prize. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for the discovery of graphene and the Ig Nobel Prize in 2000 for levitating a frog.
What was the 2024 Ig Nobel Physiology Prize awarded for?
The 2024 Ig Nobel Physiology Prize was awarded to a team for discovering that many mammals are capable of breathing through their anus. This research was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to develop alternative breathing methods in case of respiratory failure.
How has the Ig Nobel Prize evolved since its inception?
Since its inception in 1991, the Ig Nobel Prize has grown significantly, receiving over 9,000 nominations in 2023. Initially met with mixed reactions, it is now embraced by many scientists for its role in public engagement and making science accessible and humorous.
- The Ig Nobel Prize, created in 1991, honors achievements that "make people laugh, then think."
- Initially, the scientific community's response was mixed, but last year the prize received over 9,000 nominations.
- Many winners say the prize improved their careers by increasing public engagement and broadening their reach.
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