The Ig-Nobels, also known as the “humorous Nobels”, are awarded each year to recognize unusual and unusual research. During the 23rd edition of this anti-Nobel ceremony, several winners were honored for their atypical work.
In the chemistry and geology category, Jan Zalasiewicz, a geologist at the University of Leicester, received the prize for explaining why many scientists like to lick stones. His study entitled “Eating Fossils” highlights the fact that 18th century geologists used the taste of stones to better identify them.
In literature, an international team was rewarded for its study on the sensations experienced by people repeating the same word several times. Their conclusion reveals that this repetition creates a singular feeling of familiarity, leading to a state of “never seen” rather than “déjà vu”.
In the field of mechanical engineering, a US team won the prize by “reanimating” dead tarantulas to use their legs as pincers. This “necrobotics” practice consists of integrating animal parts into robots, thus offering new applications and technological perspectives.
The public health prize was awarded to Seung-min Park of the American University of Stanford for his toilet capable of rapidly analyzing stools. This “Stanford toilet bowl” is equipped with an anal print detector, allowing individual recognition and precise analysis of samples.
Another prize recognized research into people who can speak quickly backwards, a common practice in France known as “verlan.” This study on communication was praised by economist Esther Duflo, winner of the Nobel Prize in economics, who encouraged researchers to look into this linguistic phenomenon.
Other winners were honored for their research on topics such as the number of hairs in the nostrils of corpses, the development of electrified chopsticks and straws to enhance the taste of foods, the boredom felt by students if their professors seem bored while giving their lessons, the influence of the behavior of passers-by on the gaze of others, and even the impact of the sexual activity of anchovies on the mixing of ocean waters.
Although this research may seem far-fetched, it is an opportunity to have fun while raising social questions and opening unexpected scientific horizons. The Ig-Nobels invite us to rethink our perception of the world and remind us of the importance of originality and innovation in scientific research.
While the traditional Nobel Prizes will be awarded in October, the Ig-Nobels offer us a moment of entertainment and reflection on the lighter sides of science. By encouraging boldness and creativity, these awards remind us that curiosity and humor have their place in the scientific world.