The Strange Power of Prizes (Gunther, 2009)
(From: http://www.marcgunther.com/2009/12/02/the-strange-power-of-prizes/)

"Awards are for adults, he said. Prizes are for kids.
The strange power of prizes just may be that they make us feel like kids again."

What is the difference between a prize and an award? Aren't they mostly used synonymously?

Anyway, I like how this article presents the simple and positive side of prizes. All along we have seen prizes as some form of formula for success that is imposed on us as a standard which we should attempt to match up to (e.g. a film that wins an Oscar or a book that wins the Booker must be the definition of fantastic. Hence, to gain recognition, we have to make movies/write books in that same style) Here, the writer talks about prizes being a motivational force and incentive that pushes people to work harder and achieve greater things for the sake of mankind, not just in the field of science, but in terms of economic growth as well. In some cases, it can even allow people to accomplish what may not be beneficial to the individual in an economic sense: the Progressive Automotive Prize aims to "inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change". People may still delve deep into research in this area in order to win the prize, although in reality most people are still not very receptive of environmentally friendly cars like these, thus there might not be much revenue earned from marketing such a product to the world.

Compared to movies and literature awards which can be rather subjective with their vague criteria, it is prehaps easier in the area of science to say what deserves an award like the Nobel Prize and what does not... or is it? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34712701/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/weird-science-awards/ The Weird Science Awards show discoveries and experiments that seem ridiculous and nonsensical, yet they also show potential for research that may prove to be of immense benefit to humankind. For instance, making glow-in-the-dark puppies is a step towards researching genetics that may cure human diseases in the future.

Anyway, back to something that we've been discussing during lessons:

Gunther mentions that "prizes add pizzazz and drama to scientific research, which can otherwise be a bit dull". We are critical of the Booker for being so recognized just because it never fails to be plagued by scandals. People are drawn in to find out more about it because of this dramatism. Yet, it can actually be a positive force in the field of science. Many people who do not realise the importance and benefits of science in our world do sit up and take notice (well, take MORE notice, anyway...) when the Nobel Prize winners for the various scientific categories are announced, along with their discoveries. This draws attention to research and makes people see how far mankind has progressed. This serves as good publicity for the field. :)