(19-11-2021, 08:00 AM)Koen G wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view."Let’s begin with two things that science prizes are not. First, they are not goals. They differ from Olympic Medals or Super Bowl Rings. In sports, the goal is to win the prize. If you don’t finish first, you are a loser. In science the goal is to discover truth – prizes are a pleasant after-thought."
If Beinecke were to offer a prize for, let's say, "generally great achievements in research" then that would be different. This prize would have to be open to all, regardless of the field in which research is being done. Someone who solves the VMS would certainly be a good candidate for such a prize. He / She wouldn't be competing for the money but the prize would be, as Koen said, a pleasant after-thought. Hardly anyone would pick the VMS just with the intention of winning such a prize. There are certainly other areas of research that are more likely to be successful because one does not have to deal with so many "unknowns" ( if it is only about the money ).
People like Cheshire wouldn't have a chance anyway. Of course, I trust the Beinecke to be a much better judge than any print media or some interested laymen.