This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
Who is not charmed by the quirky science that is recognized each year by the Ig Nobel Prizes? For those who are unaware of this amazing phenomenon, here is the description from their website:
The Ig Nobel Prizes honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think. The prizes are intended to celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative — and spur people's interest in science, medicine, and technology. Every year, in a gala ceremony in Harvard's Sanders Theatre, 1200 splendidly eccentric spectators watch the winners step forward to accept their Prizes. These are physically handed out by genuinely bemused genuine Nobel laureates.
As the event has become more widely known, and technology has caught up with us, it can be viewed in live streaming, but wouldn't it be wonderful to go back and meet some of the scientists and revisit their illustrious projects?
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Such is the aim of a new program to be shown on France 5 about the IgNobels called Quand la Science Fait Rire (loosely, When Science Laughs, or I prefer, the funny side of science), which premieres on France 5, on Friday night, September 28.
From the Improbable Research announcement today:
Produced by Frederic Lepage and directed by Roland Portiche for Paris-based FL Concepts, this and subsequent episodes will later also be shown on public television networks in other countries (in other languages). The series features many Ig winners, as well as Marc Abrahams, founder of the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, and other Iggy persons around the world.
I asked Marc how this TV show came to be:
"It began with an email from the producer, introducing himself, explaining that he would love to make a documentary series about me and the Ig Nobel Prizes, and asking if it would be okay for him and the director to fly over (to my home, in Cambridge, Massachusetts) and take me to lunch to tell me about it.A month later we were in Stockholm, with several Ig Nobel Prize winners, filming at the Karolinska Institute and also the Nobel Museum (people at both institutions were welcoming and gracious!)."
So, unless you are in France, or have access to France 5, you'll have to wait for a translation and DVD. In the meantime, be sure to tune in to this year's IgNobels which will be September 20, 2012. You can watch the event LIVE on the Internet. Check details at the IgNobel website!
