Nobel Prize Winners: Reactions Range from Indifference to Disbelief

The recent announcement of the Nobel Prize winners has elicited a range of reactions, from surprise and indifference to outright disbelief. While many laureates view the prestigious award as a pinnacle of their careers, others have displayed unexpected responses, highlighting the unique personalities and circumstances of each individual.

One notable example is the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine recipient, Fred Ramsdell, who was completely off the grid in the mountains of Idaho when the news broke. Ramsdell learned of his achievement approximately twelve hours after the announcement and initially dismissed the significance of the award. His reaction underscores a common theme among some winners: a level of nonchalance towards what many consider a life-changing moment.

Surprising Skepticism

Interestingly, skepticism about the legitimacy of the Nobel Prize call is not uncommon. Mary Brunkow, who shared the award in Medicine with Ramsdell, thought the call was likely a scam. “I disabled the phone and went back to sleep,” she recounted in an interview with the Nobel Committee. Similarly, Paul Romer, awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics, let the call go to voicemail several times before acknowledging its potential importance.

Even Abdulrazak Gurnah, the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature winner, initially dismissed the news. He recalled, “When I got the call, I thought, ‘Come on, get out of here. Leave me alone.’” It took some convincing for Gurnah to accept the reality of his achievement.

Inconvenient Interruptions

Not all reactions were rooted in disbelief; some winners expressed frustration at the timing of their announcements. Adam Smith, chief scientific officer at Nobel Prize Outreach, shared anecdotes of Nobel laureates who were preoccupied with ongoing work. For instance, Konstantin Novoselov, who won in 2010 for his discovery of graphene, and Arthur Ashkin, awarded in 2018 for optical tweezers, found the announcement disruptive to their experiments.

In another instance, Linda Buck, who received the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, was asleep when the call came in at 02:00. The director of her research center answered and initially mistook the call for a job inquiry, expressing irritation at the late hour. Upon realizing the significance, he exclaimed, “That will get you a job here!”

The legendary musician Bob Dylan also faced his share of challenges with the Nobel Prize. After winning the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature for his contributions to the American song tradition, Dylan was famously elusive. It took over two weeks for the Nobel Committee to reach him. Although he initially seemed unenthusiastic, he later expressed feeling “speechless” and honored before ultimately skipping the award ceremony due to “pre-existing commitments.”

Exasperated Acceptance

British novelist Doris Lessing, awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Literature, provided a memorable reaction when informed of her win while shopping. Lessing, visibly annoyed, exclaimed, “Oh, Christ,” as she grappled with the reporters’ expectations. Despite her apparent exasperation, Smith later noted that she was genuinely pleased about the recognition.

In a strikingly different approach, Peter Higgs, awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the Higgs boson, actively sought to avoid the limelight. On the day of the announcement, he hid in a pub to escape the attention of eager journalists. Higgs conveyed that the discovery and subsequent recognition had “ruined” his previously tranquil life, although he later expressed relief at the conclusion of the award process.

The diverse reactions of Nobel laureates illustrate the complexities and pressures associated with such an esteemed honor. While many celebrate their achievements, others navigate the unexpected challenges that come with global recognition. As the world reflects on this year’s winners, their stories serve as a reminder of the personal experiences behind the accolades.