The Nobel and colonization

The only satisfactory assessment of the universal value and importance of the Nobel Prize was offered by Gabriel García Márquez.

They asked him with that simplicity typical of obvious reporters:

Q: What does it mean to you to have won the Nobel Prize?

And the Colombian, with the sagacity of a reporter as well and that sharpness with which he desecrated what was in itself profane, answered:

–“It means that never again in my life will I stand in line for anything.”

That’s what a Nobel Prize is for; so as not to stand in line.

At the University of Chicago (unlike the Benito Juárez del Bienestar or CDMX), it also serves to occupy a place in the exclusive parking lot for those who possess the palms of Don Alfredo. That tells Steiner. Nothing more.

In reality, these distinctions also have another indisputable value: the economic one. The Nobel Academy grants its winner a kind of life pension. More than a million dollars. And since it is almost always delivered to older people, with that amount they can face the rest of their days with peace of mind.

They should no longer solicit contributions for the movement.

That is its greatest value, because the other thing, fame, glory and all that, is a very fleeting and even frivolous thing. Very aspirational.

That award, like any other, does not demonstrate the merit of anything. It only proves -in the end-, the tastes and political or cultural preferences of a committee. It is a distinction conferred by a dozen stiff academic gentlemen, whose personal worth rarely exceeds that of the recipients.

Basically it is an opinion. It is a gesture of the intellectual aristocracy of the Nordic countries, with everything and their old monarchies. Including that of peace.

That is why the sad obsession of Latin Americans for the said award draws much attention. It is as if we needed the consecration of industrial societies to be happy.

I have never heard the prime minister of Denmark, the very honorable, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, tell his population in the tone of a political offer to confirm his successful management: as part of the Fourth Transformation, I assure you a health system like that of Mexico .

But I have heard the Mexican (and very Mexican) president promise –and not achieve– a health and social system like Denmark’s. That is called underdevelopment and confirmation of inferiority. So complex.

But that would be unimportant were it not for the fact that the president has summoned us –without explaining its content– to a “revolution of consciences” (will there be a mental tachometer?).

This revolutionary zeal could well begin by downplaying -or appreciating them in their real dimension- foreign qualifications, except -of course- when we cannot achieve a universally accepted aeronautical industry through them.

And it should also cease in the vain attempt to usurp a place at the deliberative table in whose seats the prizes are decided. Every year, López Obrador, our beloved leader, guiding beacon and intellectual exemplar, tells Scandinavians who they should give their awards to and who they shouldn’t. And they are so worried…!

We should give a damn -as he has taught us to say-, to whom they deliver it. It’s up to them and their crowns or euros or dollars.

While they obviously care less about the opinion of an aspirational president of the underdeveloped world, whose dream is to resemble Denmark, at least in terms of health.

It’s ridiculous from any point of view.