Original title: the pursuit of Nobel laureates is popular in many countries. Experts: less blind worship and more pragmatic rationality
[Hu Bofeng, special correspondent of the global times in India, Germany and Britain, and Zhao Yusheng, Ding Yuqing, reporter of the global times in qingmuji twin cities] editor's words: before and after the publication of the Nobel prize every October, the international community seems to be holding a feast of Humanities and science. For individuals, winning the Nobel prize means that their achievements and contributions to mankind are highly recognized; For a country, the number of Nobel laureates is considered to reflect a certain national strength. When Mo Yan won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2012 and Tu youyou won the Nobel Prize for medicine in 2015, China set off an upsurge one after another. However, it cannot be denied that there are few Chinese Nobel Prize winners. Under the background of "ideological economy" but the scarcity of domestic Nobel laureates, foreign Nobel laureates are becoming more and more popular. They are invited to attend various activities, set up workstations or laboratories, and become business consultants or partners, which even leads to a business. Some people criticized them for coming to China to "make a hole" and "make academic utilitarianism", claiming that the Chinese are paying "IQ tax" at a high price; However, some scholars believe that it is not necessary to be too strict, which shows that there is a huge demand in China's knowledge market. In fact, the phenomenon of pursuing Nobel Prize winners does not only occur in China.
Are there some changes in activities in China?
This month, Japanese scientist Akira Yoshino won the Nobel Prize in chemistry. Articles such as' 19 Nobel prizes in 19 years, how the Japanese did it 'once again attracted the attention of Chinese society. According to a recent report by Japan's diamond weekly, this is not only China's envy of its neighbors, but also a reflection on the current education system and the social atmosphere of pursuing utilitarianism. " The Nobel knot of the Chinese people. " The American new Yorker magazine once published an article saying that for many years, the Chinese people have been eager to win the Nobel Prize and regard the award as a yardstick to measure 'international respect'.
In China, Nobel laureates are 'scarce resources', which to some extent leads to the popularity of foreign Nobel Laureates in China in recent years. Last August, Beijing cuigezhuang forum and Nobel Prize achievement transformation summit forum invited 6 Nobel Prize winners to participate. In September this year, the Nobel laureate medical summit held in Chengdu invited six Nobel laureates. It is said that at least two new Jinnuo prize winners have been invited to the world's top scientists forum to be held in Shanghai at the end of October. According to the media, some foreign Nobel laureates are often fully arranged to visit more than a dozen enterprises and institutions in a week.
Wang Yuanfeng, vice president of the China Development Strategy Research Association and professor of Beijing Jiaotong University, told the global times that today, academic activities attended by Nobel laureates are often considered to be of a higher level; Scientific research projects with their names can win more financial support; The business activities they participate in are vulnerable to more attention. According to the relevant policies of Shenzhen, the construction of Nobel Prize laboratory can receive a subsidy of up to 100 million.
Wang Yuanfeng believes that the popularity of 'knowledge economy' or 'ideological economy' reflects the strong desire of the Chinese people to communicate with the most influential figures in the world. Their arrival will enable more people to come into contact with these people who thought they were out of reach and have the opportunity to listen to their thoughts and stories. In an interview with the global times, Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, said that the Nobel laureates' participation in activities in China has indeed brought new ideas and ideas to domestic scholars and relevant institutions. But it is undeniable that some of these activities have changed.
This gave birth to an industrial chain. Edward middot, a Norwegian who won the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 2014; Taking mosol as an example, some media found that he came to China almost once a month this year. In China, mosol was employed as a lecture professor in Colleges and universities, awarded an honorary title by academic institutions, set up a workstation, and employed as a scientific consultant by enterprises. For another example, in the past three years, Randy & middot, an American winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine; At least 10 workstations have been set up in China. The institutions he cooperates with include universities, private hospitals, investment companies, cosmetics companies, etc. Some Nobel laureates not only participated in academic forums, but also attended real estate activities.
Some media disclosed that the remuneration of Nobel Laureates for participating in an activity in China can reach millions. However, make complaints about science and technology, and their speeches are often dry cargo by listeners.
Can these foreign Nobel laureates bring more valuable research results to China? Are Chinese people paying 'IQ tax'? Wang Yuanfeng believes that we should have less excessive and blind worship of Nobel laureates and more pragmatic and rational attitude. Nobel laureates have made outstanding achievements in their research field, which does not mean that they are 'all talents' who can take all in all fields.
Zhang Yiwu said that there is no need to look at the 'ideological economy' whirlwind caused by Nobel laureates from an overly harsh perspective. For domestic invitees, the appearance fee not only represents the recognition of these big guys, but also represents the huge demand in China's knowledge and thought market. It is understandable that the price is higher than that offered by other countries. The frequent visits and exchanges of foreign Nobel laureates to China also show that they are increasingly recognizing China's economic development achievements, academic and scientific research achievements and public exchange atmosphere. " Now, the voices questioning this trend just show that the Chinese public is looking at this matter from a more objective and rational perspective. In the long run, the activities of Nobel Laureates in China and their remuneration will become more formal. " Zhang Yiwu said.
The Indian government invited Nobel Prize winners for activities, 'form is greater than content'
Nobel laureates are also popular in India. The origin of the country and the Nobel Prize can be traced back to the beginning of the last century. In 1913, Tagore, a famous Indian writer, poet and thinker, won the Nobel Prize for literature with gitangali, becoming the first Asian to win this prize. This year, abigit & middot, who was born in India and is now an American; Benazir won the Nobel Prize in economics for "poverty alleviation economics".
At the 'dynamic Gujarat global summit' held in 2017, the Indian government invited nine Nobel laureates to attend the warm-up activity 'Nobel dialogue' before the summit. According to the original idea of rupani, then chief minister of Gujarat, they hope to invite at least 12 to 15 Nobel laureates to attend. According to the press briefing issued by the Indian government after the event, through intense discussion, the participants agreed that 'India has the potential to become a scientific power and should increase investment in basic scientific research in the future'. A gorgeous' Nobel dialogue 'ended with a specious briefing. It is difficult to feel that these' academic celebrities' had meaningful professional exchanges, let alone guiding suggestions for the development of Gujarat or India.
There are many similar examples. In 2016, at the annual conference and exhibition of the International Association of educators held in Colorado, India invited satyarti, India's first Nobel Peace Prize winner, as the guest of honor to visit the India Pavilion and make a brief speech. The event caused a sensation in India at that time.
'maybe this is what the Indian government wants to use the Nobel laureates to deliver & lsquo; Star Effect & rsquo;, Form is greater than content. " Indian analyst Gopi told the global times that in a sense, the government needs Nobel laureates to endorse its policies, which is also loved by the people, 'but there is often no following after the relevant activities'.
Benaji, who has just won the award, is now a household name in India. When a reporter from the global times talked to several Indians in downtown areas, most of them could tell who Banerjee was and frankly said that they "knew him from the newspapers in recent days". While talking, they were very proud of Benazir's Nobel Prize, but few people could tell what his' poverty alleviation economics' was.
On the 22nd, modi met with benaji. On the same day, the Indian Prime Minister praised them on social media for their "useful and extensive exchanges" on many topics, and said that "India is proud of his achievements". Interestingly, not long ago, Banerjee publicly said that India's economy was in a "state of crisis", seriously pointed out that the decline in consumption and weak demand had hurt the national economy, and asserted that the economic stimulus plan implemented by modi government had limited effect. Indian Minister of Commerce and industry Goyal accused bannaji of being an "outright leftist" on the 19th.
For the "appearance fee" of the Nobel Laureate in India, a public relations personage in New Delhi told the global times, "this is a trade secret.". He said that previously, when a Nobel laureate attended a cultural event in India, he only symbolically charged a 'small' appearance fee, 'but there are also some people who need a high appearance fee to be able to move'. The source also disclosed that some institutions specially organized activities similar to "lunch with Buffett" to invite interested people to dinner with Nobel laureates. Some of these activities are held in India and some are held overseas. " Of course, such activities must be expensive. " He said.
In Germany, the "appearance fee" generally starts from 50000 euros
'no disappearing & lsquo; Nobel effect & rsquo German focus weekly recently published an article saying that the Nobel Prize, which has gone through nearly 120 years, is no longer its biggest focus. This year, the Nobel laureate will receive SEK 9 million (about RMB 6.6 million). If he wins the prize together with others, the prize will be divided equally. Obviously, this money no longer means' great wealth 'for many winners. However, the effect of the Nobel Prize is huge, especially in today's globalization. Winning the Nobel prize means opening a 'treasure'.
Hansman, director of kleystal public relations company in Germany, summed up in an interview with the global times that the so-called "treasure" mainly comes from four aspects: first, promoting career prospects, for example, almost all the books of literature prize winners will become best sellers; Second, obtain various honorary positions, such as honorary professors, Association directors, etc. such positions have a small workload, but the income is often high; Third, participate in keynote speeches, academic exchanges and other activities. Generally, the lowest price of Nobel laureates' speeches in Germany and other European countries is 50000 euros, and it is common to ask 100000 euros; Fourth, substantive cooperation with enterprises, such as selling patents and technologies, or becoming a partner of the company. The winners of Physiology or medical awards, physics awards and chemistry awards mainly benefit in this regard.
According to the reporter of the global times, large German enterprises and various institutions also like to invite Nobel laureates to attend activities. A press officer of an automobile group told reporters that Nobel laureates are standing at the "top of the pyramid" in a certain field. They are not only outstanding academically, but also highly respected. They can not only bring celebrity effect, but also help improve corporate reputation.
Nobel laureates generally charge an 'appearance fee' to attend activities, but there are exceptions - for the Lindau Nobel laureate conference in Germany founded in 1951, they not only don't want money, but also take the initiative to participate. The reporter of the Global Times has participated in the report