Bananas, Donald Trump, and a Necrophiliac Duck: Marc Abrahams, Founder of the Ig Nobels, Meets Lausanne

Le Temps was present at the EPFL campus as Marc Abrahams, the visionary behind the Ig Nobel Prizes, brought his unique blend of humor and intellectual curiosity to Lausanne. Abrahams, known for celebrating scientific research that "first makes you laugh... then makes you think," captivated the audience with his distinctive style.

The event, part of the Ig Nobel Award Tour Show, saw Abrahams engage with attendees, including students in striking banana costumes. His playful observation that "the bananas must be together, because they are both from another world" perfectly encapsulated the whimsical yet profound spirit of the Ig Nobels. This visit marks the seventh time Abrahams has graced Lausanne with his presence, a testament to the city's and EPFL's engagement with unconventional scientific inquiry.

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You were asking me what I like to do in life?

Abrahams himself seems to exist in a realm separate from the mundane, a world brimming with questions, wonder, and engaging narratives. His ability to connect seemingly disparate ideas, like a banana costume and scientific inquiry, highlights the core philosophy of the Ig Nobels: to spark curiosity and encourage deeper reflection through the unexpected. For us in Switzerland, and particularly here at EPFL, this event is a welcome reminder that groundbreaking thought can emerge from the most unusual of places, challenging our perceptions and enriching our understanding of the world.

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The bananas must be together, because they are both from another world