What's it like to win a Nobel Prize? (with Richard Ernst)

TL;DR

Nobel laureate Professor Richard Erst describes his experience winning the Nobel Prize and the impact it had on his life.

Transcript

we're at the Asian science camp in Mumbai used to be called Bombay in India and I've just listened to a lecture by the Nobel Prize winner Professor Richard erst and I'm introducing Brady to him so that he can tell us a bit about what he was telling the students how did you hear that you'd won the Nobel Prize uh that was very well staged indeed I wa... Read More

Key Insights

• 👻 Professor Erst values the platform and attention that comes with being a Nobel laureate, as it allows him to speak up and share his thoughts with the world.
• 🦸 He feels uneasy about being singled out as a hero and believes that achievements are often collective efforts.
• 🥡 Professor Erst emphasizes the importance of admitting errors and the difficulty of maintaining responsibility when everything said is taken seriously.
• 🙊 Nobel laureates often stick to their respective fields in their lectures, but Professor Erst believes in diversifying topics and speaking about other areas.
• 🤔 While his work is primarily in chemistry, Professor Erst aligns more with the thinking and approach of a chemist rather than a physicist.
• 🧑 People initially treat Professor Erst differently upon finding out about his Nobel Prize, but they soon recognize that he is just a normal person.
• 🏆 Professor Erst considers the Nobel Prize important, but he believes that achieving something is more crucial than receiving an award.
• 😪 Although Professor Erst sometimes gets tired of repeating his Nobel Prize story, he recognizes that it comes with the territory and has become accustomed to it.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Professor Erst find out that he won the Nobel Prize?

Professor Erst found out about winning the Nobel Prize while on an airplane, where the captain informed him of the news. He initially thought it was a joke until it was confirmed by the committee in Stockholm.

Q: How did Professor Erst's family react to him winning the Nobel Prize?

Professor Erst's wife was angry to be interrupted while washing dishes and had to travel to Zurich for media appearances. His children resisted their father's fame and tried to keep it a secret from their friends.

Q: Did winning the Nobel Prize change Professor Erst's life?

Winning the Nobel Prize did not drastically change Professor Erst's life until his retirement. Prior to retirement, he continued working as usual. However, after retirement, he became a missionary using his voice to advocate for responsibility.

Q: How does Professor Erst feel about being a Nobel laureate?

Professor Erst feels both honored and guilty about being a Nobel laureate. He recognizes and appreciates the attention he receives but also acknowledges that his achievements are the result of collaboration and inspiration from others.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Professor Richard Erst recalls receiving the news about winning the Nobel Prize while on an airplane and his initial disbelief.

• His wife and children had mixed reactions to the news, with his wife being initially angry and his children resisting the fame that came with the prize.

• Winning the Nobel Prize did not significantly change Erst's life until his retirement, where he became a missionary advocating for responsibility.