Home / Science / Ig Nobel Prizes: Science That Makes You Laugh, Then Think
Ig Nobel Prizes: Science That Makes You Laugh, Then Think
10 Sep
Summary
- The Ig Nobel Awards celebrate research that amuses and provokes thought.
- This year's ceremony, held September 3rd, had a fungus theme.
- For the first time, the Ig Nobels were held outside the US, in Zurich.
The 36th Ig Nobel Awards ceremony, recently celebrated on September 3rd, embraced a fungus theme while continuing its tradition of honoring research that provokes laughter and contemplation. For the first time in its history, the event took place outside the United States, moving to Zurich, Switzerland, due to safety concerns for attendees.
This year's ceremony retained popular elements such as the initial paper airplane deluge and strict 60-second speech limits, enforced by science leaders in banana costumes. The Ig Nobels also continue their unique '24/7 lectures,' where complex concepts are explained in 24 seconds and then in just seven words.
Notable winners included posthumous recognition for Tokuji Unno for his study on nose-blowing aerodynamics and research demonstrating that wealthier individuals are more likely to take sweets meant for children. The peace prize was awarded for findings on valuing friends who are both kind and vicious towards enemies. A citizen-science project investigating soil health by burying underpants also received an award.
The Ig Nobel Prizes, awarded by actual Nobel laureates, will remain in Europe for the foreseeable future, alternating between Zurich and other cities like Antwerp, Belgium, which is set to host next year. These awards champion playfulness in science, celebrating the fun of discovery and providing a space for light-hearted self-deprecation and camaraderie.
