Ig Nobel Prize Roundup

Over the past few days, I’ve been reporting on winners of the 2010 Ig Nobel Prizes. There were 10 prizes in all, including five that I haven’t written about (there are only so many blog articles in my tiny mental budget).

For the record, here are the winners:

·         Engineering: Whale-snot collecting remote-controlled helicopter

·         Medicine: Asthma on a roller coaster

·         Physics: Socks outside the shoes prevent slipping on ice

·         Public Health: Bearded scientists are germier

·         Peace: Swearing helps relieve pain

·         Economics: Investment firms responsible for economic collapse

·         Transportation Planning: Slime mold determines optimal routes for railroad tracks

·         Chemistry: Disproving that oil and water don’t mix

·         Management: Random promotions boost worker efficiency

·         Biology: (This is my personal favorite) Scientific documentation of fruit bat fellatio

Okay, I gotta say something about the fruit bats. First of all, way t’go, bats! Second, who the hell in his/her right mind is curious about “behind closed doors” sexual foreplay of fruit bats?

What’s next? The Playbat channel? Bat act bars in the sleezy section of town? Live naked bat dancing?

Gimme a break.

The Ig Nobel Prizes honor achievements and improbable research that “first make people laugh, and then make them think.” Even actual Nobel Prize winners participate in the ceremonies.

I kid you not!