Casting wary eye on prize

People like to receive awards. One only has to sit through one of the annual media gush-fests with its endless roll calls of name-checks and thank-you's, and forced smiles and tears-to-order, to see how dear they are to thespians.

Being told you have done a good job, having the value of your work commended, is a universal desire. Receiving that acknowledgement in concrete form, whether it be a bonus, a pay rise or strange statuette, is even more fulfilling, especially as it quite often entails future financial benefits as well. An Oscar-winning actor can go from B list to A overnight. Never mind the kudos, it does his bank balance no harm at all.

The bigger the stage, the more gratifying it is. The Nobel Prizes are probably the most prestigious awards of all and the Peace Prize the most coveted as anyone can win it; you don't need specialist knowledge in chemistry, medicine or physics. Coveted, that is, until its credibility was brought in to question with decision to award the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to Barack Obama.