Gimme a break! I mean, the guy who perfected the frontal lobotomy got one.
All Higgs has done is
a) predict the existence of a particle that brings the universe as we know it into existence
b) provided the theoretical impetus behind the major thrust of 21st century particle physics (finding the so-far elusive Higgs Boson)
c) given us the best name for a fundamental particle ever
Why should he have to wait for some lab drudge to get lucky enough to find the Higgs Boson and then share the damn prize with him?
Article comments
1 - Josh
The major reason, if I had to guess, is that in terms of physics, the Nobel committee tends to award individuals whose research has impacted something directly tangible and useful (i.e. something beyond pretty theory).
For example, the press release for this year reads:
This year's Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to three physicists who have made decisive contributions concerning two phenomena in quantum physics: superconductivity and superfluidity. Superconducting material is used, for example, in magnetic resonance imaging for medical examinations and particle accelerators in physics. Knowledge about superfluid liquids can give us deeper insight into the ways in which matter behaves in its lowest and most ordered state.
Not to say that theory can't get you the nod, but that's not what the committee looks for as its top priority.
2 - Jose
josh you should get the a nobel award
for nowing how to make hyper link.
3 - Larry
The GHK team had most complete solution on the mass boson and mechanism. They should get it. Higgs approximated.