Science Inspired Poetry
Eccentric or Brilliant?
Where Science Meets Laughter
The Ig Nobel Prizes where wit finds fame stake their claim in the realm of acclaim
Each September A salute to science honoring the odd with a nod to the bizarre
From licking rocks to cadaverous quests re-animating spiders counting nostril hairs — really — you heard that right!
A quirky celebration science’s jest humor meets knowledge an enlightening show for curious minds to align
Beyond the jest in the flush of urine and fecal art lies a tale of health insights unsurpassed
Stop flushing in haste they urge health’s treasure trove a tale of what bodies behove revealing true health indeed
The PH Smart Toilet an inventor’s scheme delving deep into health spotting ailments where they take hold gleaning insights from what’s typically washed away
From diabetes hints in pee’s embrace to gut microbiomes a revealing chase
Ethical ponderings remain Science takes strides in spaces rare more surely yet to dawn!
So, Science’s delight In laughter and learning sheer brilliance found In the Ig Nobel’s light From rocks to toilets a deeply curious flight!
Science’s oddities — never too strange
Welcome! fellow science enthusiasts — to a realm where giggles collide with groundbreaking discoveries — the distinctive sphere of the Ig Nobel Prizes, where unconventional brilliance seizes the spotlight.
You are probably familiar that, as each October rolls around, we are all eagerly awaiting the Nobel Prize announcements in Sweden. But did you know that right before our Thanksgiving food comas it is the famous (or rather infamous) Ig Nobel Prizes that steal the show? Well, for 33 years, these zany awards have been celebrating the quirky side of science in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It’s a parade of eyebrow-raising achievements that make you chuckle and then ponder life’s mysteries.
This year, they took the fun online but kept the essence of the in-person event. Flying paper airplanes and real Nobel Laureates joining the party? Oh yes, that happened!
So, in case you're curious about what made the highlights section this year — from explanations on why scientists love licking rocks to using deceased spiders as mechanical tools and of course the most intriguing — counting nostril hairs for science — completing the circus of bizarre brilliance!
Seriously though— amidst the laughter, let’s discuss the one topic that intrigued NPR’s Science Friday editors — toilets. Yup, you read that right! We’re not just chatting about any old toilet this one is called — the PH Smart Toilet — the brainchild of Dr. Seung-min Park, a urology instructor at Stanford’s School of Medicine. This gizmo isn’t just plumbing, it’s your personal health whisperer. From diabetes hints in your pee to uncovering the mysteries of your gut, this toilet does it all.
But hey, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. The blend of technology and health raises serious ethical questions, so don’t anticipate seeing these innovative toilets in your nearest home improvement stores anytime soon!
In any case, if this wild ride through the science circus has you itching for more you can explore further in Science Friday’s newsletters (full disclosure: I am not affiliated with Science Friday in any way, I simply enjoy the show) and trust me it’s the kind of rollercoaster of knowledge, awe and wonder you didn’t know you needed.
Here at Science and Soul we often bring you the poetic side of new discoveries but perhaps this is a reminder that science isn’t always serious lab coats and formulas — It’s in good part simply about about embracing the unexpected, finding laughter in the peculiar, and discovering brilliance in the bizarre.
So — dear reader — here’s to the Ig Nobel Prizes and their whimsical world of science that keeps us laughing and thinking!
Thank you for reading!