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Today I finished reading The Uncommon Knowledge of Elinor Ostrom by Erik Nordman. Elinor won The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (incorrectly known as the Nobel Prize for Economics) in 2009, the first woman to do so. The book is excellent. It paints a picture of both the woman and her research. She was someone who believed in people to work out problems without using governments or proscribed rules, preferring, instead, common sense.
When she was awarded the Riksbank Prize, she showed great humility. She was surprised. Delighted, yes, but also surprised. She shared the award with the staff at her Workshop, saying they deserved it as much as she did for their hard work and belief.
Earlier this year, Donald Trump was annoyed that he didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize. He felt he deserved it. He told the world that he had solved heaps of wars, some that never even happened, and should be honoured for his efforts. Obviously, the MAGAs also praised him, saying he was the President of Peace.
He made an effort to sway the judges but it didn’t work. Mainly because this year’s recipient had already been chosen and Trump had no idea how the process worked. I think he believes all he has to do is say he wants something, then he gets it. If he doesn’t, he blames someone else and punishes them.
(Interestingly, another book I’m currently reading is a new biography of Stalin, and he had a habit of blaming and permanently punishing people for his own mistakes. He often had no idea how things worked.)
Of course, the main reason Trump wants a Nobel Prize, is because Barack Obama was awarded it in 2009, coincidentally, the same year as Elinor. Obama won it for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples“, things that are anathema to Donald Trump.
Of course, if there was a Nobel Prize for Bullying, Lying and Being Surrounded by Yes Men, then Trump would win it hands down.
If Donald Trump were to win the Nobel Peace Prize, it would demean both the prize and the memory of Alfred Nobel. If it ever happened, I wouldn’t be the least surprised if other prize winners returned theirs. I mean, seriously, who would want to be included on any list that Donald Trump was part of?
He has no humility. He is just loathsome.
