I don’t think most of the motivation is supposed to come in at the level of doing the final work that might win the award—I agree it seems like Nobel prizes, knighthoods, Hugo and Nebula, etc all aren’t being consciously thought about too much during the year or two beforehand.
“Making the industry seem relevant rather than encouraging behaviors” rings more true. The motivation seems to happen when younger people see that this is a thing society values. That node downstream of the award drives them through years of striving.
I don’t think most of the motivation is supposed to come in at the level of doing the final work that might win the award—I agree it seems like Nobel prizes, knighthoods, Hugo and Nebula, etc all aren’t being consciously thought about too much during the year or two beforehand.
“Making the industry seem relevant rather than encouraging behaviors” rings more true. The motivation seems to happen when younger people see that this is a thing society values. That node downstream of the award drives them through years of striving.