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Nobel-Worthy: Your 2024 Class Acts

  • Writer: John Vassh
    John Vassh
  • Oct 30, 2024
  • 5 min read


The Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the world, recognizing outstanding achievements in various fields. It was established by the Swedish chemist, inventor, engineer, businessman, industrialist, all around prodigy, and philanthropist Alfred Nobel.

 

The man behind the prize, Mr. Nobel, was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1833. During his time, he was probably best known for his invention of dynamite, indeed, the very powerful explosive which helped revolutionize the construction, defense, and mining industries. Beyond this single contribution, Nobel was a passionate scientist, inventor, and businessman. He knew how to make a booming impression in many a field.

 

Further along into his golden years, Mr. Nobel was accidentally and falsely reported as having been deceased. This report was in fact the actual passing of his brother. The newspaper was inclined to call him the merchant of death. They focused on a hateful war setting period piece for dynamites use. As with many, his legacy and ethical considerations for his accomplishments began to influence his behavior more and more, as his own mortality crept in. He now sought to explore a way to use his influence and ideas for even more humane purposes. The Nobel Foundation was established in 1900 to administer the Nobel Prizes. The first awards were presented in 1901, five years after Mr. Nobel's death.

 

In his last will and testament, signed in 1895, Nobel bequeathed the majority of his fortune to establish a fund for the promotion of scientific research. He stipulated that the interest from this fund should be awarded annually as prizes to individuals who have made the most significant contributions to the fields of: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economics.

 

The prizes are issued based on the decision of the Nobel Prize Committees. The Committees are comprised of experts in their respective fields. The criteria they use for nominee selection are extremely rigorous and include originality of research, scientific discovery, and benefit to humanity. Additional ethical considerations may be entertained by the committee.

 

So, who did what and why during this 2024 year? I’ve curated and conducted a brief run-down of your winners in each of their respective fields. Gauge your own level of learn more with each of the Nobel hyperlinks embedded. Time to get the skinny on these gigantic contributions.


Nobel Prize in Medicine

 

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun

 

Discovery: The discovery of microRNAs, a class of tiny RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation, has revolutionized our understanding of gene expression and its implications for development, disease, and human health. This discovery is taking us one step closer to creating the means of understanding unique individual cellular function on a level never considered before.

 

 

 

 

"From the moment he is born to the moment he dies; man is subject to the activities of numerous microbes". – Selman A. Waksman


Nobel Prize in Physics

 

John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton

 

Discovery: Enabling machine learning with artificial neural networks. “The laureates’ work has already been of the greatest benefit. In physics we use artificial neural networks in a vast range of areas, such as developing new materials with specific properties,” says Ellen Moons, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics. Machine learning has been instrumental in recent Nobel Prize-winning physics research, such as identifying the Higgs boson, filtering noise from gravitational wave data, and discovering exoplanets.

 

 

 

“Hell, if I could explain it to the average person, it wouldn't have been worth the Nobel Prize.” – Richard P. Feynman


Nobel Prize in Chemistry

 

David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper

 

Discovery: The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognizes groundbreaking advancements in protein research. David Baker has achieved the extraordinary task of creating entirely novel proteins, while Demis Hassabis and John Jumper have developed an AI system to predict the intricate structures of proteins, a long-standing scientific challenge. These models are able to create hypothetical protein structures and simulate protein dynamics. These predictions will increasingly become more sophisticated with time and help advance medicine in ways that are not yet fully understood. Never forget, chem is try.

 

 

 

"Science, for me, gives a partial explanation for life. In so far as it goes, it is based on fact, experience, and experiment." - Rosalind Franklin


The Nobel Prize in Literature

 

Han Kang

 

Contribution: Han Kang's works often explore unconventional themes, such as identity, trauma, and the human body, challenging traditional narratives. Her writing is characterized by vivid imagery, psychological depth, and a poetic style. Her novels often address social and political issues, reflecting the complexities of modern Korean society and the broader human experience.

 

  

"Writing itself does not know what it looks like while one is doing it, only when it's finished." - Herta Müller

 

"The times they are a-changin'." - Bob Dylan


The Nobel Peace Prize

 

Japanese Organization Nihon Hidankyo

 

Contribution: The Hibakusha, a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is being awarded the Peace Prize for their tireless advocacy to eliminate nuclear weapons. Their personal testimonies serve as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare and the urgent need to prevent their future use. This topic is especially important as safe, portable, and modular nuclear energy units will be required to meet rising energy demands around the globe. The past, present, and future advancements in our relationship and reliance on nuclear power demand respect.

 

 

"Truth isn't always beauty, but the hunger for it is." - Nadine Gordimer


The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel

 

Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson

 

Discovery: The 2024 Nobel Laureates in Economic Sciences have highlighted the crucial role of societal institutions in determining a nation's economic success. Their research reveals that countries with weak governance, corruption, and exploitation struggle to achieve growth and progress. These findings offer valuable insights into the factors that drive economic development. It’s a very interesting read that many of our public servants in office could benefit from. Take a minute and explore a tale of two halves of the same city and see how vastly different outcomes are created. 

 

 

 

"If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand". - Milton Friedman


So, what will 2025 bring? Who will captivate the attention of the leading minds in their respective fields? Whose ideas currently residing on the outer fringes of acceptance and understanding will begin to echo louder along the walls of knowledge? Most of our readers and I can't wait to find out.

 

These Laureates are a testament to the human spirit's capacity for greatness and compassion. Their work embodies the best of humanity, from the pursuit of knowledge to the promotion of peace and justice. Their contributions serve as a reminder that even in the face of adversity and uncertainty, we can achieve remarkable things. Let's honor their legacy by embracing the values of curiosity, compassion, and perseverance. Thank you for the privilege of your time.



 

 
 
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