The Anti-Rating of Science: 10 Most Absurd Studies — 2023 Ig Nobel Prize Winners
Every year, the Ig Nobel Prize honors research that "first makes people laugh, then makes them think." In 2023, scientists worldwide outdid themselves in absurdity. Here’s the top 10 most bizarre "achievements" of the year. 1. Chemistry & Geology Prize Lick It to Understand It Geologist Jan Zalasiewicz won for studying the ancient habit of scientists… licking rocks. Turns out, licking helps identify mineral composition (and yes, this is still practiced in geology). Takeaway: Rocks can be tasty—if you’re a geologist. 2. Literature Prize Songs That Infect Your Brain Chris Moulin’s team proved: if a melody gets stuck in your head, blame "earworms," not your bad music taste. The simpler the rhythm, the longer it tortures you in the shower. Life Hack: Sing "Happy Birthday" backward—it might work. 3. Mechanical Engineering Prize Spider Grippers Engineers from Rice University used dead spiders as robotic grippers. Arachnid legs are perfect for han...