Oct 9th 2021
THE NOBEL prizes, whose winners are announced this month (see Science), may be the worlds most coveted awards. As soon as a new crop of laureates is named, critics start comparing the victors achievements with those of previous winners, reigniting debates over past snubs.
Your browser does not support the
Enjoy more audio and podcasts on iOS or Android.
A full account of why, say, Stephen Hawking was passed over will have to wait until 2068: the Nobel Foundations rules prevent disclosure about the selection process for 50 years. But once this statute of limitations ends, the foundation reveals who offered nominations, and whom they endorsed. Its data start in 1901 and end in 1953 for medicine; 1966 for physics, chemistry and literature; and 1967 for peace. (The economics prize was first awarded in 1969.)
Nomination lists do not explain omissions like Leo Tolstoy (who got 19 nominations) or Mahatma Gandhi (who got 12). But they do show that in 1901-66, Nobel voters handed out awards more in the style of a private members club than of a survey of expert opinion. Whereas candidates with lots of nominations often fell short, those with the right backerslike Albert Einstein or other laureatesfared better.
The bar to a Nobel nomination is low. For the peace prize, public officials, jurists and the like submit names to a committee, chosen by Norways parliament, that picks the winner. For the others, Swedish academies solicit names from thousands of people, mostly professors, and hold a vote for the laureate. On average, 55 nominations per year were filed for each prize in 1901-66.
Historically, voters paid little heed to consensus among nominators. In literature and medicine, the candidate with the most nominations won just 11% and 12% of the time; in peace and chemistry, the rates were 23% and 26%. Only in physics, at 42%, did nomination leaders have a big advantage. In 1956 Ramn Menndez Pidal, a linguist and historian, got 60% of nominations for the literature prize, but still lost.
However, voters did make one group of nominators happy: current and future laureates. Candidates put forward by past victors went on to win at some point in the future 40% more often than did those whose nominators never won a Nobel. People whose nominators became laureates later on also won unusually often. This implies that being accomplished enough to merit future Nobel consideration was sufficient to gain extra influence over voters.
In theory, this imbalance could simply reflect laureates nominating stronger candidates. However, at least one Nobel winner seems to have boosted his nominees chances, rather than merely naming superstars who would have won anyway.
According to the Nobel Foundations online archive, all 11 of Einsteins nominees won a prize. Some were already famous, like Max Planck; others, like Walther Bothe, were lesser-known. In two cases, his support seems to have been decisive.
In 1940 Einstein supported Otto Stern, a physicist who had already had 60 nominations. Stern won the next time the prize was given. Similarly, Wolfgang Pauli, whose exclusion principle is central to quantum mechanics, had received 20 nominations before Einstein backed him in 1945. He got his prize that same year.
Source: Nobel Foundation
This article appeared in the Graphic detail section of the print edition under the headline "Noblesse oblige"
View original post here:
The best way to win a Nobel is to get nominated by another laureate - The Economist
- Physicists breed Schrdinger's cats to find boundaries of the | Cosmos - Cosmos [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- The application of three-axis low energy spectroscopy in quantum physics research - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- Scientists 'BREED' Schrodinger's Cat in massive quantum physics breakthrough - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- Quantum Physics: Are Entangled Particles Connected Via An Undetected Dimension? - Forbes [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- The World Of Quantum Physics: EVERYTHING Is Energy : In5D ... [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- Introduction to quantum mechanics - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- A general election, like quantum physics, is a thing of waves and particles - The Tablet [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2017]
- 14-Year-Old Earns Physics Degree From TCU CBS Dallas / Fort ... - CBS DFW [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2017]
- Quantum Entanglement Persists Even Under High Accelerations ... - International Business Times [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2017]
- Quantum Entanglement Persists Even Under High Accelerations, Experiments Reveal - International Business Times [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2017]
- Quantum - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2017]
- Unbreakable quantum entanglement - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2017]
- Physics may bring faster solutions for tough computational problems - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2017]
- UBC researchers propose answer to fundamental space problem - CBC.ca [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2017]
- Quantum Biology and the Frog Prince - ScienceBlog.com (blog) [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2017]
- The Marriage Of Einstein's Theory Of Relativity And Quantum Physics Depends On The Pull Of Gravity - Forbes [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2017]
- New Research May Reconcile General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics - Futurism [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2017]
- The Bizarre Quantum Test That Could Keep Your Data Secure - WIRED [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2017]
- Testing quantum field theory in a quantum simulator - Phys.org - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2017]
- A classic quantum test could reveal the limits of the human mind - New Scientist [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2017]
- Teleportation Could Be Possible Using Quantum Physics - Futurism - Futurism [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2017]
- Nobel winner to talk cats, computers and quantum physics - AroundtheO [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2017]
- Could Ant-Man Beat Superman With Quantum Physics? - Heroic Hollywood (blog) [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- Physicists Discover Geometry Underlying Particle Physics [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- Home - Center for Quantum Activism [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- Physics - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- What Quantum Physics Can Tell Us about the Afterlife ... [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- A Quantum Physicist Explains How Ant-Man Can Beat Superman - Inverse [Last Updated On: May 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 28th, 2017]
- Academic Journal: Quantum Physics Is 'Oppressive' to Marginalized People - National Review [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2017]
- University of Arizona Scholar Creates a Feminist Brand of Physics to ... - Breitbart News [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Feminist Launches 'Intersectional Quantum Physics' to End Newton's 'Oppression' - PJ Media [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- In atomic propellers, quantum phenomena can mimic everyday ... - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Quantum physics is oppressive - Patheos - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2017]
- It's widely abused as a buzzword. But can quantum mechanics explain how we think? - National Post [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2017]
- Quantum Physics and Love are Super Weird and Confusing, but This Play Makes Sense of Them Both - LA Magazine [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- One step closer to the quantum internet by distillation - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Solving systems of linear equations with quantum mechanics - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2017]
- Neural networks take on quantum entanglement - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2017]
- Chinese satellite breaks a quantum physics record, beams entangled photons from space to Earth - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2017]
- Cybersecurity Attacks Are a Global Threat. Chinese Scientists Have the Answer: Quantum Mechanics - Newsweek [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2017]
- New Quantum-Entanglement Record Could Spur Hack-Proof Communications - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2017]
- What Is Quantum Mechanics? - livescience.com [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2017]
- China sets new record for quantum entanglement en route to build new communication network - NEWS.com.au [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2017]
- Physicists Demonstrate Record Breaking Long-Distance Quantum Entanglement in Space - Futurism [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Viewpoint: A Roadmap for a Scalable Topological Quantum Computer - Physics [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- How Schrdinger's Cat Helps Explain the New Findings About the Quantum Zeno Effect - Futurism [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- BMW and Volkswagen Try to Beat Apple and Google at Their Own Game - New York Times [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- How quantum physics could revolutionize casinos and betting if you can understand it - Casinopedia [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- Quantum thermometer or optical refrigerator? - Phys.org - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- Atomic imperfections move quantum communication network closer ... - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2017]
- DoE Launches Chicago Quantum Exchange - HPCwire (blog) [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2017]
- Google to Achieve "Supremacy" in Quantum Computing by the End of 2017 - Big Think [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2017]
- Physicists settle debate over how exotic quantum particles form - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- Physicists make quantum leap in understanding life's nanoscale machinery - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- How quantum trickery can scramble cause and effect - Nature.com [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2017]
- Berkeley Lab Intern Finds Her Way in Particle Physics | Berkeley Lab - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2017]
- Quantum Physics News - Phys.org - News and Articles on ... [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2017]
- Quantum computers are about to get real - Science News Magazine [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2017]
- Physics4Kids.com: Modern Physics: Quantum Mechanics [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2017]
- Payments Innovation - A Quantum World Of Payments - Finextra (blog) [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2017]
- Why can't quantum theory and relativity get along? - Brantford Expositor [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2017]
- New method could enable more stable and scalable quantum computing, physicists report - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2017]
- Telecommunications, Meet Quantum Physics - Electronics360 [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2017]
- How young is too young to talk to kids about science? Never, says one quantum physicist - ABC Local [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2017]
- Supercool breakthrough brings new quantum benchmark - Phys.org - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2017]
- Physics For Toddlers . News | OPB - OPB News [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2017]
- Quantum Physics Provide Evidence that the Future Influences the Past - Edgy Labs (blog) [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2017]
- This quantum theory predicts that the future might be influencing the ... - ScienceAlert [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2017]
- Physicists May Have Discovered One of the Missing Pieces of Quantum Theory - Futurism [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2017]
- Something New For Baby To Chew On: Rocket Science And ... - NPR - NPR [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2017]
- A New Quantum Theory Predicts That the Future Could Be Influencing the Past - Big Think [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- Basic Assumptions of Physics Might Require the Future to Influence ... - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- Scientists teleport particle into space in major breakthrough for quantum physics - The Independent [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- Rockstar scientist David Reilly takes the axe to quantum physics - The Sydney Morning Herald [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- Quantum Mechanics Could Shake Up Our Understanding of Earth's ... - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- The Standard Model of particle physics is brilliant and completely flawed - ABC Online [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2017]
- Quantum mechanics inside Earth's core - Phys.org - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2017]
- Making a quantum leap in space research - Shanghai Daily (subscription) [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2017]
- Unlocking the Secrets of Quantum Physics to Create New Materials - Yu News (blog) [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2017]
- China's Silicon Valley aims to become the country's top research center - Abacus [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2019]