How did a computer scientist such as Geoffrey Hinton manage to win a Nobel Prize in physics when computer science already has its own Nobel Prize equivalent in the Turing Awards?
Last Updated: 28.06.2025 04:57
[The basic structure of artificial neural networks] has close similarities with spin models in statistical physics applied to magnetism or alloy theory. This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics recognizes research exploiting this connection to make breakthrough methodological advances in the field of ANN.
In awarding prizes, the Nobel Committees often seem only marginally more competent than MTG is at explaining meteorology. And if they can give a literature prize for lyrics like:
^* Fibiger got the 1926 Medicine prize for the discovery of Spiroptera carcinoma (Don’t ask).
If freedom of speech is absolute, how come it's not applied for private spaces and for the Internet?
A fly on the wall at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
When he's standing, in front of you
"Naah, Linnainmaa is a Finn. Can't give it to a bloody Finnish mathematician. Let's go for drinks. Brännvin anyone?"
"Hey guys, AI is pretty big so let's centre our prizes on it this year. We can get some attention, and it's all about advertising, at the end of the day, isn't it?"
You can have your cake and eat it too
"Good idea, but how can we wangle something that says 'Physics'?"
Scientists investigate parasite's lifecycle to combat deadly Chagas disease - Phys.org
In December 1973, when Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, comedian Tom Lehrer dropped his mic and stamped on it—satire had just died.
Why wait any longer for the world to begin?
"Didn't he do something with Boltzmann in it? That sounds physics-y. RBMs and stuff, eh?"
Why wait any longer for the one you love?
Whatever.
^† They rationalise their decision thusly:
Kristopher Mohamed needs help to fund cancer fight - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
[Younger voice] "But wait a minute, Ising-Lenz goes back to the 1920's. And didn't Hinton plagiarise rather a lot? He also didn't invent modern backprop, did he, that's Linnainmaa? And Amari preceded Hopfield, too. That's not a good look."
My 11 million SEK, Dr Jo.
… then anything is possible. There’s no rule that a Nobel Prize has to make sense.^*
Firefly's Blue Ghost On Moon Seen By Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter - MSN
[Older voice] "Mmm. What about Hinton, he's widely regarded? Nobody got fired for buying IBM"
They then move on to selectively provide their own version of history. But hey, it’s OK. They wanted controversy, didn’t they? Whatever.
Fortunately, we are privy to the discussion that led up to this:
NYC summer stargazing seasons kicks off with triangle, meteor showers - Gothamist
"Where can we shoehorn it in? Chemistry is easy 'cos AlphaFold; but what about physics? A bit more challenging, right?"
(Mumbles of assent)
Whatever.
Mega-Tsunamis That Shook the World for 9 Days Revealed in New Satellite Images - Gizmodo
"Good point, I'm sure we can swing it. And let's tack on Hopfield while we're about it."
There you go.^†
(Bob Dylan, Nobel Prize for Literature, 2016)
Flight attendant reportedly found naked during flight from SFO - SFGATE