Internet in Running for Nobel

The number of this year's Nobel Prize nominations breaks last year's record-setting 205 entrants, and the Internet is one of the record 237. Championed by the Italian version of Wired for advancing dialogue, debate, and consensus, as well as 2003 winner, Shirin Ebadi, and Nicholas Negroponte, founder of the $100 laptop project, the Internet was one of the select few chosen from thousands of submissions the committee received worldwide.

While the committee remains tight-lipped as to its list of nominees, those who can nominate - including former laureates, select intellectuals, and national governments - are free to discuss their nominations. Some nominations received as few as one vote, while others were selected by several nominators. The list of nominees will be announced on October 8^th.

Last year's winner was U.S. President, Barack Obama. Many criticized the decision as premature - including the President, himself - but the committee defended their decision, saying he "captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future" and his diplomacy was based on "values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."

The only problem now is determining who would accept the award and prizes, should the Internet win. But never fear: The Cyberculturalist will set aside his fear of flying (and the ocean, foreign countries, and trophies) for such a special occasion.

Hey? It's an honor to be nominated.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010