Whale Snot Wins Harvard Prize

Scientists study everything, but when the study of whale snot wins the honors over swearing and how it relieves stress,Â something is definitely amiss. The science world gathered at Harvard University toÂ award researchersÂ top prize for most interesting studies in various areas of science.Â

The prize is called theÂ Ig Nobel Prize" ceremony, and top honors went to 10 lucky winners.Â It is of course a joke where scientists get together to make fun of their own.

The ten categories are as follows: engineering, medicine, biology, management, transportation planning, peace, public health, and chemistry.

The weirdest category was the engineering prize. "British researchers Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse and Agnes Rocha-Gosselin and Mexican researcher Diane Gendron took home the award for figuring out the perfect way to collect whale mucus using a remote-control helicopter, according to AOL News.

You really have to appreciate how funny this is when scientists who are known for being very serious, give a prize for the study of whale snotÂ at Harvard of all places.

So whale snot wins the weird prize in the Ig Noble Prize ceremony. Congratulations to all the winners.

Comments: 16

Sheri T. Oct 1, 2010, 1:04am UTC

It looks like scientist will study anything. I would not want to touch or even have anything to do with this testing of whale snot. Messing with snot is gross and nasty. I guess somebody has to do it though! I'm just glad it's not me!!

Doug York Oct 1, 2010, 1:05am UTC

With a helicopter. Yuck

Jeff G. Oct 1, 2010, 11:10am UTC

Agreed. I would not want to do this. I'd pay anything to see Mike Rowe do this though!

little pixie Oct 1, 2010, 11:11pm UTC

yep me two. i love dirty jobs!

reply to this comment

Doug York Oct 1, 2010, 1:05am UTC

Did that say whale snot?

reply to this comment

Christine Zibas Oct 1, 2010, 2:32am UTC

I love this kind of bizarre news. I've really been cultivating a taste for it now that I moved over to technology writing.

Doug York Oct 1, 2010, 9:04am UTC

Glad your here. Thanks for the comment. I'll check you out.

reply to this comment

Bernard C. Oct 1, 2010, 5:37am UTC

Sounds like a wet job if ever I heard one - thanks for sharing :-))

Doug York Oct 1, 2010, 9:05am UTC

Thanks for commenting. I liked this one. People have too much time on their hands.

reply to this comment

Rachel D. Oct 1, 2010, 10:05am UTC

Actually, the IgNobel prizes are fast becoming something other than a joke - while it's steeped in a philosophy that we definitely should not take ourselves seriously, some of the research they've highlighted has just been groundbreaking. I always follow the IgNobel awards with great interest - and a good sense of humor!

Doug York Oct 1, 2010, 10:20am UTC

I agree, but the whale snot has to be the funniest.

Rachel D. Oct 4, 2010, 9:51am UTC

I don't know - that tadpole tasting experiment that won some years back is pretty hilarious. Possibly grosser than Whale snot? LOL

reply to this comment

Doug York Oct 1, 2010, 12:48pm UTC

It's a hoot isn't it??

reply to this comment

Leonard Siebert Oct 1, 2010, 1:20pm UTC

You know I've an old aquarium in storage that a mouse fell into and became mummified. Can I get a government grant to solve how he became mummified?

I've heard of "deeper than whale sh&#", comparisons of oils; vegetable, animal, and the cruely gathered whale oil. I've seen documentaries on whale mating and their organ size. (Talk about your free-WillieI In some spieces it takes three whales to mate, as it's so big they need help.)
But whale snot this really tears the kleenax! Oh well, I guess I should have taken marine biology instead of soc. I wonder if this mucus spin could be used to do a Star Trek/ Speedy alkaseltzer crossover?
"Aye captain the fizzy drink is ready for the beasties!"
"Thank-you Snooty...I mean Scotty."

Doug York Oct 1, 2010, 5:57pm UTC

That's a hoot!

little pixie Oct 1, 2010, 11:13pm UTC

ha ha ha!

reply to this comment

Whale Snot Wins Harvard Prize

2 people recommend this post

Comments: 16

Join the Conversation