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It’s time to consider adding computer science as a category for the Nobel Prize. They have already been awarded prizes for economic sciences and peace, so why n

It’s time to consider adding computer science as a category for the Nobel Prize. They have already been awarded prizes for economic sciences and peace, so why not computer science? It's not the same as physics, and its impact on modern life is undeniable

matsemann 2y ago
Is that even "possible"? As in, they have to follow the rules of the organization, which have some criteria laid out. Not sure who could stop them from changing, though. Like, I think the original intent was to have done the most the preceding year, but now it's more of a lifetime award. So perhaps they can change or add different categories if wanted.
- ClassyJacket 2y ago
  That's the only reason I can think of for this - like, Alfred Nobel or some other dead donor set rules that they aren't allowed to change now. But I haven't seen anyone confirm it.
  - henrikschroder 2y ago
    Alfred Nobel was the only donor, and his will spells out the rules: https://www.nobelprize.org/alfred-nobel/alfred-nobels-will/ https://www.nobelprize.org/alfred-nobel/alfred-nobels-will/ In 1968, the Nobel Foundation accepted a donation from the Swedish central bank to establish a prize in economy, but in hindsight that was a pretty bad idea, and the probability of them accepting future donations to establish prizes in other fields is very slim.
    - boxed 2y ago
      They STILL don't call it a nobel prize. That's something.
amai 2y ago
How about a "Nobel Memorial Prize in Computer Sciences" similar to the https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Memorial_Prize_in_Economic_Sciences https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Memorial_Prize_in_Econ...
ginko 2y ago
Why though? The Turing award exists.
- famouswaffles 2y ago
  People often say that the Turing award is the Nobel Prize of computing but that's not really true. The Turing award is the most prestigious award in computing yes but that's not enough for Noble like recognition/pedigree. What makes the Nobel prize unique is that almost anyone, even the general public or pioneers in other fields etc can here you received one and be very impressed. You'll generally be met with blank stares if you told anyone not in computing or an enthusiast you'd won a Turing. Even if you then said, "It's the most prestigious award in computing!", it wouldn't hit the same. Awards like these are basically only really worth their social recognition, so it's no surprise people would still want a Nobel in Computing/Mathematics etc even with Turing/Field etc existing.
kgwgk 2y ago
> They have already been awarded prizes for [..] peace Since 1901.

matsemann 2y ago

Is that even "possible"? As in, they have to follow the rules of the organization, which have some criteria laid out. Not sure who could stop them from changing, though. Like, I think the original intent was to have done the most the preceding year, but now it's more of a lifetime award. So perhaps they can change or add different categories if wanted.

ClassyJacket 2y ago
That's the only reason I can think of for this - like, Alfred Nobel or some other dead donor set rules that they aren't allowed to change now. But I haven't seen anyone confirm it.
- henrikschroder 2y ago
  Alfred Nobel was the only donor, and his will spells out the rules: https://www.nobelprize.org/alfred-nobel/alfred-nobels-will/ https://www.nobelprize.org/alfred-nobel/alfred-nobels-will/ In 1968, the Nobel Foundation accepted a donation from the Swedish central bank to establish a prize in economy, but in hindsight that was a pretty bad idea, and the probability of them accepting future donations to establish prizes in other fields is very slim.
  - boxed 2y ago
    They STILL don't call it a nobel prize. That's something.

amai 2y ago

How about a "Nobel Memorial Prize in Computer Sciences" similar to the https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Memorial_Prize_in_Economic_Sciences https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Memorial_Prize_in_Econ...

ginko 2y ago

Why though? The Turing award exists.

famouswaffles 2y ago
People often say that the Turing award is the Nobel Prize of computing but that's not really true. The Turing award is the most prestigious award in computing yes but that's not enough for Noble like recognition/pedigree. What makes the Nobel prize unique is that almost anyone, even the general public or pioneers in other fields etc can here you received one and be very impressed. You'll generally be met with blank stares if you told anyone not in computing or an enthusiast you'd won a Turing. Even if you then said, "It's the most prestigious award in computing!", it wouldn't hit the same. Awards like these are basically only really worth their social recognition, so it's no surprise people would still want a Nobel in Computing/Mathematics etc even with Turing/Field etc existing.

kgwgk 2y ago

> They have already been awarded prizes for [..] peace Since 1901.