How the Nobel Prize Fails Humanity

Oftentimes, we get so wrapped up in proving ourselves to institutions that we never stop to consider if those institutions are just in the first place.

Recent class discussion on the merits of the Nobel Prize really got me to consider a number of things. I became curious about the people in history who have won the Nobel Prize, and what they look like demographically. My hypothesis was that, like pretty much all institutions founded by exclusively white people, this global award would not represent global diversity. Low and behold, I was drawn to an article found here about how the award seems to have an equity problem. 

 

Apparently, in the history of Nobel science laureates, only 3% are women. Further, in the 121 years of the award, not a single science laureate has been black. Across the board, 93% of Nobel Prize recipients are white males. Additionally, 90% of winners originate from a developed country. In the book “Where Good Ideas Come From,” Steven Johnson indicates that good ideas are often the byproduct of good environments which foster ideas. Using that definition, and considering the narrow scope of the Nobel Prize, it would seem to suggest that good ideas are mainly coming from white men and the good environments are developed countries. This highlights a grave issue. It is evident to anyone with a shred of global perspective that good ideas can come from anywhere. That’s why I’m going to talk about an alternative to the Nobel Prize. An award which recognizes the vast diversity of human ingenuity in a way which is conducive to inclusivity. 

 

The Right Livelihood Award is often referred to as “The Alternative Nobel Prize”. It focuses on people globally who have dedicated their lives to innovating, advocating, and educating. The laureates of The Right Livelihood Award represent a planet full of passionate individuals and profound thinkers. Laureates represent every gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and continent (besides Antarctica of course). The selection committee focuses on those who are using their talents as researchers, speakers, and leaders, to change the world in a meaningful way. While the Nobel Prize might award someone who is incredibly talented, the scope of their talents might be restricted to a laboratory. The Right Livelihood Award looks past the lab, and into human-driven progress. In order to really understand the breadth of the award, it might be best to highlight one of its recipients. 

 

I was particularly drawn to learn about Nnimmo Bassey, a Nigerian architect. Through his profession, he became knowledgeable about the extent of issues with the oil industry in the Niger Delta. What he reports startles me, oil spills greater than or equivalent to the Exxon Valdez have occurred every year in the Niger Delta for the past 50 years. Bassey used his position as a successful architect to co-found Environmental Rights Action, which is currently the world’s largest grassroots environmental network. They were the first ones to effectively hold the oil companies responsible for some of their greatest infractions. They also have spearheaded legislation to prevent destructive oil extraction techniques that many corporations– Royal Dutch Shell in particular– deploy indiscriminately without regard to African populations. 

 

Bassey represents a true innovator. While many were aware of the issues, including the Nigerian government, Bassey took charge. He decided that the status quo would stop with him. That’s what The Right Livelihood is all about. When Bassey got the award, his work wasn’t finished. The problem with human issues is that they are much more complicated than technical ones. The award gave him exposure to continue his work in a new light. It actually supports its laureates, not with just a medal and a cash endowment (although they give cash too), but a larger platform. One of the foundational ideals of Right Livelihood is lifetime support, and that’s really what sets it apart from its contemporaries. The award gives someone with a loud voice a megaphone. They will connect their laureates with non-profits, UN agencies, and security (a real concern because many people favor profit over progress). The effect of this is monumental and changes the entire paradigm of the award. It doesn’t merely recognize good, it is a force for good. 

 

 At the end of the day, unless you’re one of those people who cares about the words on your tombstone, none of those awards you earned meant anything. The only thing that really matters is the impact you made on the world. Just as a butterfly flapping its wings could create a tornado, we all have enormous potential to be change-makers. 

A Nobel laureate is a great mind, but a Right Livelihood laureate is a great person. Which would you rather be?