Every year, the Ig Nobel Prize is awarded to ten lucky winners. To qualify, you need to publish research in a peer-reviewed journal that is considered “improbable”: studies that make people laugh, but think at the same time. This year, the 25th edition is happening today, September 17, when yet again some of the craziest, yet … somewhat useless research will be showcased. For those unfamiliar, just so you can get an idea, check out this compilation of previous Ig winners. Some of my personal favorites include the cow dung powered vanilla or the wasabi clock. Always remember though: there’s no such thing as totally useless research. Every once in a while, a worldshifter might grow out of a seemingly pointless study.

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