How did a computer scientist such as Geoffrey Hinton manage to win a Nobel Prize in physics when computer science already has its own Nobel Prize equivalent in the Turing Awards?

Whatever.

[The basic structure of artificial neural networks] has close similarities with spin models in statistical physics applied to magnetism or alloy theory. This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics recognizes research exploiting this connection to make breakthrough methodological advances in the field of ANN.

In December 1973, when Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, comedian Tom Lehrer dropped his mic and stamped on it—satire had just died.

Can one still satisfy the desires of Black women with a more discreet endowment?"?

Why wait any longer for the world to begin?

My 11 million SEK, Dr Jo.

"Hey guys, AI is pretty big so let's centre our prizes on it this year. We can get some attention, and it's all about advertising, at the end of the day, isn't it?"

Jerome Powell’s Exit Leaves The Fed On An Uncertain Path - Seeking Alpha

(Bob Dylan, Nobel Prize for Literature, 2016)

In awarding prizes, the Nobel Committees often seem only marginally more competent than MTG is at explaining meteorology. And if they can give a literature prize for lyrics like:

There you go.^†

Is there any evidence to support the existence of people who have experienced "gangstalking"? Or is it a psychological phenomenon?

"Naah, Linnainmaa is a Finn. Can't give it to a bloody Finnish mathematician. Let's go for drinks. Brännvin anyone?"

When he's standing, in front of you

"Where can we shoehorn it in? Chemistry is easy 'cos AlphaFold; but what about physics? A bit more challenging, right?"

Hundreds of Mysterious Giant Viruses Discovered Lurking in The Ocean - ScienceAlert

Why wait any longer for the one you love?

(Mumbles of assent)

"Good idea, but how can we wangle something that says 'Physics'?"

Scientists warn that polar warming might alter ocean currents and cause massive flooding in the U.S. - Earth.com

[Younger voice] "But wait a minute, Ising-Lenz goes back to the 1920's. And didn't Hinton plagiarise rather a lot? He also didn't invent modern backprop, did he, that's Linnainmaa? And Amari preceded Hopfield, too. That's not a good look."

Whatever.

They then move on to selectively provide their own version of history. But hey, it’s OK. They wanted controversy, didn’t they? Whatever.

Novel coating shields iron from rust with 99.6% efficiency - Phys.org

Fortunately, we are privy to the discussion that led up to this:

^* Fibiger got the 1926 Medicine prize for the discovery of Spiroptera carcinoma (Don’t ask).

… then anything is possible. There’s no rule that a Nobel Prize has to make sense.^*

20-Year Mystery of The Muon's Wiggle May Finally Be Solved - ScienceAlert

A fly on the wall at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

^† They rationalise their decision thusly:

You can have your cake and eat it too

What are some ways to get sweaty before a concert?

"Didn't he do something with Boltzmann in it? That sounds physics-y. RBMs and stuff, eh?"

[Older voice] "Mmm. What about Hinton, he's widely regarded? Nobody got fired for buying IBM"

"Good point, I'm sure we can swing it. And let's tack on Hopfield while we're about it."

Horoscope for Tuesday, 6/10/25 by Christopher Renstrom - SFGATE