News of The Day: It’s That Time of Year

It’s October, for some people that means raking leaves, pulling out their warm clothes and planning the spookiest Halloween yet. In the world science, it’s time to drop the serious, stereotypically nerdy demeanors, and poke fun at their colleagues.

I imagine, in many ways, being a scientist is a little bit like being a writer, there is a creative process involved in developing new projects. Personally, I sit out on my patio, smoke a cigarette, and just let my mind wander until a thought pops into my head. Sometimes it’s a good idea, sometimes not so much. There are times when I’m forced to take an idea that seems unworkable and try to make it into something unique. That’s actually how I ended writing The Magic Table, which is a short story that has gotten some attention and with any luck, will soon appear in your favorite magazine.

Every year since 1991, the Annuals of Improbable Research give out ten Ig Nobel Awards for achievement. The Ig Nobel award winner is defined as “an experiment that first makes people laugh and then makes them think.” In layman terms, I guess that means … things that make you go hmmm.

The awards are given out in categories, much like the more prestigious Nobel Prizes, which include Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Education, Literature, Medicine, and Peace. What does it take to get an Ig Nobel in Literature? The winner in 1994 was L. Ron Hubbard, ardent author of science fiction and founding father of Scientology, for his crackling good book, Dianetics.

As I was doing research for this column, I was amazed at the level of creativity involved in some these experiments. For instances in 1996, a group was honored for their work studying the effect of Ale, Garlic, and Soured Cream on the Appetite of Leeches. I’m thinking they may have been smoking something other than a cigarette.

Biology is by far the funniest category to read. In 1998, a man named, Peter Fong, prevented depression in clams by giving them Prozac. In 1999, Dr. Paul Bosland created the spiceless chili pepper. My favorite award winner, however, is Buck Weimer. His claim to fame is as the inventor of Under-Ease. A garment whose tag line reads “an airtight underwear with a replaceable charcoal filter, designed to remove bad-smelling gases before they have a chance to escape.” I understand the concept but I have to ask, first, what type of fabric can create airtight underwear and second, what kind of food does Buck eat?

A close second for favorite received the Ig Nobel in 2002, category Interdisciplinary Research, whatever that means. It was presented to Karl Kruszelnicki of Sydney Australia. He preformed a comprehensive research study of human belly button fluff, who gets it, when, what color and how much. Outies need not apply.

We won’t know the 2009 winners until after the ceremony this week but if, you would like to get a giggle, go to Wikipedia and look up List of Ig Nobel Prize Winners. It’s worth it. This is the last column for the week but I will see you bright and early on Monday. Be sure to check out my website for a new installment of Anecdotes from 435 sometime this weekend. Find out what the madcap crew of Red Lobster is up to at darlaferrara.com.

Until next time … Peace
Darla