Though the money could arguably have been better spent, ala Simons, I’m not too worried. My guess (and hope) is the winners will use the main part of the money where it can really do some good scientifically (as in, supporting promising young researchers in whatever part of physics or math, not necessarily just in their specialty). However funding more post-docs really won’t help; what is needed are permanent positions, and also grants which give a few years of teaching relief for folks (young or not so) doing good work and already with positions somewhere but overloaded with obligations. Also research grants could ease financial burdens on those struggling on that account. I think the winners will feel embarrassed if they use it only to buy a big house or a yacht with a submarine for themselves, as everyone will be watching what they do. In that sense it’s not really free money; since it is a very public prize, unlike with lesser grants, there will be peer pressure to do the right thing. Besides, these folks already have all they need in terms of working conditions; if they use the money for extraneous things it will only divert their time and energy from what they care about most, which is their work.
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