I think what we’re seeing is a deliberate attempt by the Nobel Committee to implement the Hawthorne Effect–that aspect of reactivity which states that a subject being observed changes its behavior simply because it knows it’s being observed. More broadly, the mere act of observing an experiment can lead to having an impact upon that experiment.
Typically the Nobel is awarded after the fact, or at the very least, later into the process. I think the Nobel Committee–rightly or wrongly–is endeavoring to change the conditions of the experiment by giving President Obama their equivalent of the Seal of Approval. And it’s not just Obama who is being notified that he’s being observed. It’s a signal to the legislative branch and to Americans that the world is watching and has hope for the President even if that hope been waning at home (as polls would indicate). And it’s a signal to the rest of the world that the Nobel Committee thinks that Obama is the real deal. (And admittedly it’s a slap at the Birthers who still believe that Obama is a secret evil Muslim planning to send the world into flames, but I’ve got no problem with that.)
I can see the argument that the Nobels should have waited until he had actually accomplished something. But as Margaret Mead said, Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. And I think the Committee sees itself, in this instance, as that small, thoughtful group, and they’re trying to change the world into somewhere that’s more peaceful. You can challenge the thinking if you want, but not the positive nature of their attentions, and I applaud the decision.
PAD
• 
Recent Comments