Field’s Medal
04/25/2014 | | econ70, Economic forecasting, economist on radio, economist on TV, eisenberg and economics, Eisenberg and housing economics, Eisenberg and public speaking, Elliot eisenberg, Field's Medal, funniest economist, funny housing economist, Graphsandlaughs, graphsandlaughs and eisenberg, housing sales, MLS, mortgage banking, Multiple listing service, politics and economics, prizes, Public speaking economist
The Friday File: To encourage academic excellence, prizes are often awarded for outstanding achievement. Turns out that at least for the Field’s Medal (awarded every four years to the world’s top mathematician under 40), winning isn’t helpful. While winners and losing contenders have similar levels of productivity until the Medal is awarded, after the award is bestowed, output of Medalists drops significantly. Of course, some candidates stop working in anticipation!