The Nobel Peace Prize: Nihon Hidankyo
America caught off guard in the shambles of the America-centred world:
The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations, recognized for its long-standing commitment to advocating for nuclear disarmament and raising awareness about the consequences of nuclear warfare. The organisation comprises survivors (Hibakusha) of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Nihon Hidankyo has played a pivotal role in fostering a global anti-nuclear weapons movement. It has effectively communicated the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear war through personal testimonies of survivors, educational campaigns, and public appeals. The organisation emphasises the importance of maintaining the “nuclear taboo,” a moral stance against the use of nuclear weapons that has gained traction since World War II. Over the decades, it has been instrumental in shaping public opinion and policy regarding nuclear disarmament, including advocacy efforts at the United Nations and various peace conferences.
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 resulted in the deaths of over 120,000 people, with many more suffering long-term effects from radiation. Nihon Hidankyo strived to give a voice to the survivors and to advocate for peace and disarmament, creating a platform for their stories to be shared globally. The leaders of Nihon Hidankyo are often survivors themselves, sharing deeply personal accounts of their experiences. This connection to the events of 1945 imbues their advocacy work with authenticity and urgency. While specific personal details vary among members, their collective mission is rooted in the shared trauma of the bombings and a commitment to preventing future nuclear conflicts.
The Nobel Prize in Literature: Han Kang
The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2024 was awarded to Han Kang, a South Korean author known for her profound and thought-provoking narratives that often explore themes of identity, trauma, and the human condition. Han Kang’s literature is characterised by its exploration of human suffering and the philosophical questions surrounding existence. She uses her narratives to provoke thought about societal issues and the complexities of human relationships.
Born in 1970 in Gwangju, South Korea, Han Kang has been influenced by the historical events of her country, particularly the Gwangju Uprising, which shaped her worldview and literary themes. She studied at Yonsei University, where she earned her degree in Korean literature.
Han Kang’s most celebrated work is “The Vegetarian,” which won the Man Booker International Prize in 2016. The novel tells the story of a woman who decides to stop eating meat, leading to profound changes in her relationships and societal perceptions. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, highlighting the psychological and societal implications of her decision.
King’s another renowned work is “Human Acts,” which explores the Gwangju Uprising of 1980, a pivotal moment in South Korean history marked by state violence against pro-democracy protests. The novel combines historical narrative with deep human emotion, reflecting on suffering and resilience.
Her writings often draw on personal and collective histories, utilising a unique blend of poetic language and stark realism to engage readers emotionally.
In addition to her novels, Kang has published essays and short stories, contributing to various literary anthologies. She currently resides in South Korea, where she continues to write and teach.
The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences: Daron Acemgolu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson
The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for 2024 was awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson for their extensive research on the impact of institutions on economic development and prosperity.
Daron Acemoglu is known for his work on political economy, particularly how political institutions shape economic policies and outcomes. His co-authored book, “Why Nations Fail,” argues that inclusive institutions lead to economic prosperity, while extractive institutions hinder growth. Acemoglu was born in Turkey in 1967 and is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research spans several aspects of economic theory and has been widely influential in both academic and policy circles.
Simon Johnson has focused on the relationship between economic development and governance, examining how weak institutions can lead to financial crises and economic stagnation. Johnson is a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a current professor at MIT. His extensive experience in economic policy informs his academic work, particularly regarding financial stability. His research emphasises the importance of strong legal and political frameworks in fostering economic growth. He authored “The Quiet Coup” (2009) which argues that the financial sector in the United States has become increasingly powerful, leading to a situation where it can influence government policies to its advantage, often at the expense of the broader economy. He highlights how this power imbalance can lead to crises, suggesting that strong regulatory frameworks are essential to prevent future financial instability.
James A. Robinson has contributed to understanding the role of historical factors in shaping current institutions. His work often explores how colonial legacies affect contemporary economic outcomes in different regions. Robinson is a professor at Harvard University. His research combines economics with political science, focusing on the interactions between institutions and economic performance. Like Johnson and Acemoglu, Robinson co-authored “Why Nations Fail”, which became a landmark text in understanding the role of institutions in economic success.
The Nobel Prize in Physics: John J. Hopfield & Geoffrey E. Hinton
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to two pioneers in the field of machine learning, John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton, for their groundbreaking work that laid the foundation for the development of artificial neural networks. These systems, which mimic the workings of the human brain, have revolutionised the field of machine learning, enabling significant advancements in areas such as speech recognition, image processing, and decision-making systems.
John J. Hopfield is celebrated for his conceptualisation of “Hopfield Networks,” a type of recurrent neural network that helps model associative memory. His work has had profound implications for understanding how neurons function in the brain and how machine learning models can simulate similar processes.
Geoffrey E. Hinton is often referred to as the “Godfather of Deep Learning.” He developed back propagation, a critical algorithm used to train deep neural networks by fine-tuning the weights of neurons. Hinton’s contributions have had a lasting impact, leading to breakthroughs in technologies that underpin today’s AI applications, from self-driving cars to healthcare diagnostics.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry: David Baker, Demis Hassabis & John Jumper
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2024 was awarded to three scientists—David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper—for their trailblazing contributions in computational protein design and structure prediction. Their work has metamorphosed our understanding of protein folding, which is essential for advancements in biotechnology, medicine, and materials science.
David Baker is renowned for pioneering the Rosetta program, which allows scientists to predict and design new protein structures from scratch. His research has paved the way for the creation of synthetic proteins with unique properties that do not exist in nature, leading to the development of new pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and materials. A Ph.D. graduate from UC Berkeley, Baker has spent much of his career at the University of Washington, where he continues to lead innovations in protein design. His work has earned global recognition for its potential to fight diseases and solve problems related to health and biotechnology.
Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, both from Google DeepMind, were awarded for their development of AlphaFold, a machine-learning model that can predict the 3D structure of any protein based solely on its amino acid sequence. In 2020, AlphaFold achieved a major breakthrough by predicting protein structures with near-perfect accuracy, something that had eluded scientists for decades. The AlphaFold model has since predicted the structure of over 200 million proteins, greatly accelerating scientific research in fields like drug discovery and disease prevention.
The combined work of these three scientists has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in protein design, allowing for custom-made proteins that can perform novel functions—ranging from neutralising viruses to catalysing specific chemical reactions. Their innovations are expected to impact fields such as healthcare, bioengineering, and synthetic biology in the coming years.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their seminal discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs), small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. This discovery has significantly transformed the understanding of genetic regulation and its implications for various biological processes and diseases.
Victor Ambros is an American developmental biologist whose career has been defined by his work on gene regulation. He received his Ph.D. from MIT and completed postdoctoral research under Dr. H. Robert Horvitz, where he first encountered the nematode C. elegans as a model organism. Ambros’ journey to the Nobel Prize began with his discovery of the first microRNA, lin-4, in 1993 while investigating developmental timing in C. elegans. The discovery revealed that small RNA molecules could control the expression of proteins, a previously unknown mechanism. This work remained under-appreciated until further discoveries demonstrated that microRNAs are not just an oddity in worms but are conserved across species, including humans.
Ambros’ career includes academic roles at Harvard, Dartmouth, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he continues to research miRNAs and their role in various diseases, including cancer. His work has paved the way for understanding miRNA’s potential in diagnostics and therapeutics, especially in areas like cancer and heart disease.
Initially met with skepticism, their findings gained prominence after the discovery of another conserved microRNA, let-7, which is found across the animal kingdom. This revelation led to an explosion of research into microRNAs, with over a thousand microRNA genes now identified in humans, highlighting their importance in many biological processes and diseases. Their research has opened new avenues in understanding cancer, development, and gene therapy.