Why the Nobel Prize Only Goes to Three People (And What Happens If It's More Complicated)
Why can only three individuals win the Nobel Prize? Dive into the quirks of this prestigious award and discover the impact of collaboration on recognition.
So, you've probably heard the frustration: why can the Nobel Prize only be awarded to three people, max, and what happens if more people deserve a slice of the glory pie? It's an interesting topic, especially when amazing discoveries often resemble a team sport rather than a solo sprint.
The Rule of Three
The Nobel Prizes have this quirky little rule that no more than three individuals can share in the jabillionaire's club, celebrating mind-blowing achievements. This quaint restriction feels like a reflection of bygone times, where the idea of the 'lone genius' was a common theme. Nowadays, though, breakthroughs are often a product of collaborative effort—a bustling lab, full of brilliant minds contributing to the big picture. Sounds like the setup for most science sitcoms, right?
Collaboration Over Recognition
See, the issue here is not about, "Who gets the trophy?" but rather, "Who gets lost in the shuffle?" In many instances, it's the professors and leading researchers who bask in the limelight, while the hardworking grad students and postdocs might just get an 'atta boy.' Take the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, for example. Stanley Whittingham, John Goodenough, and Akira Yoshino were the proud recipients for their work on lithium-ion batteries, but countless others also sweated over this tech that's charging our laptops and cell phones as we speak. Fun fact, the [lithium-ion battery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery) is pivotal in our quest to save our planet.
Why Keep It This Way?
Why do they maintain this seemingly arbitrary cutoff—and no, it's not some ancient riddle waiting for the right hero. It's partly about logistics and tradition. The foundation has a set pot of prize money from Nobel's estate, and awarding more than three people can get financially tricky, not to mention the legal tangles. Besides, having arbitrary cut-offs helps to keep the award's prestige.
A More Connected Story
Even with its limitations, the Nobel Prize remains one of the most coveted seals of brilliance. While it's like any award, imperfect and slightly political, it still underscores our love affair with innovation and human achievement. Perhaps someday in the future, the Nobel committee will broaden its reach, fully honoring the teamwork fueling modern genius.
So, there you have it. Next time you plug in your phone, you can chuckle a bit and think of all the brains who made texting your buddy at 3 AM possible—and why only a little handful got the nod.
