No Ig® Nobel Prize in physics for 2018

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SUMMARY

The 2018 Ig® Nobel Prize in Physics was not awarded, continuing a trend where the prize has been absent in 1991 and 1994. The discussion highlights the humorous nature of scientific research, particularly referencing the Literature Prize awarded to Thea Blackler, Rafael Gomez, Vesna Popovic, and M. Helen Thompson for their study on user interaction with complicated products. Their paper, titled "Life Is Too Short to RTFM: How Users Relate to Documentation and Excess Features in Consumer Products," emphasizes that most users do not read instruction manuals. The conversation suggests a desire for a dedicated section for IgNoble Ideas within the forum.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Ig® Nobel Prize and its significance in the scientific community.
  • Familiarity with user experience research and documentation practices.
  • Knowledge of academic publishing and citation formats.
  • Awareness of the Physics Forums community guidelines and discussion norms.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the history and criteria of the Ig® Nobel Prizes.
  • Explore user experience studies related to product documentation.
  • Investigate the impact of humor in scientific communication.
  • Consider proposing a dedicated forum section for unconventional scientific ideas.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for researchers, educators, and enthusiasts in the fields of physics, user experience design, and science communication, as well as anyone interested in the intersection of humor and academia.

Keith_McClary
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Physics news on Phys.org
Physicists were very serious this year :wink:
 
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I like how the researchers were able to sneak in an obscene word in the title of a scientific paper:
LITERATURE PRIZE [AUSTRALIA, EL SALVADOR, UK] — Thea Blackler, Rafael Gomez, Vesna Popovic and M. Helen Thompson, for documenting that most people who use complicated products do not read the instruction manual.

REFERENCE: "Life Is Too Short to RTFM: How Users Relate to Documentation and Excess Features in Consumer Products," Alethea L. Blackler, Rafael Gomez, Vesna Popovic and M. Helen Thompson, Interacting With Computers, vol. 28, no. 1, 2014, pp. 27-46.
 
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I think this is because Physics Forums is a bit too strict about what you can post / discuss.

Maybe we should start a section called IgNoble Ideas.
 
Swamp Thing said:
Maybe we should start a section called IgNoble Ideas.
Oh, they are present, just scattered around a bit!
(and I suspect many more than we see are expunged)
 

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