Shouldn't people who win a Nobel prize actually keep the prize money

[RB TexLa]

Isn't that why they give the money, to give a financial reward for people who have given of themselves in a way they see fit to honor and probably haven't been financially rewarded greatly for it.


edited to add: This isn't only about one of the prize winners.

[Gabi Hayes]

1. ? he gave the money to a foundation or something that's fighting climate change, right?

what's wrong with that?

and, according to either Craig Crawford or Mike Allen, he's made over a hundred million bucks since leaving office, so half a mil is peanuts to him

[robinlynne]

4. How did he make 100 million? He took NO profit from the film.

[tammywammy]

5. Wouldn't he have made money from speaking engagements?

I know most well known people get pretty hefty speaking fees, and I'm sure he would too.

[libnnc]

6. Current TV and its partnership with Google

that's where his earnings came from. If I'm not mistaken, Keith O. mentioned it. Or I may have heard it on tonight's Hardball...I can't remember

[robinlynne]

8. wow.

[Gabi Hayes]

12. hardball. and isn't it amusing how infrequently they mention how much money

St. Rudy has accumulated since 911, almost EVERY penny as a result of his cashing in on that tragedy?

know how much he's supposedly worth today?

[Crabby Appleton]

14. Primarily in Google and Apple stock options

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/117/features-gore.html

"Gore has become a millionaire many times over, bringing him, in financial terms, shoulder to shoulder with the C-suite denizens he used to hit up for campaign cash. In addition to the steady flow of six-figure speaking gigs, he has become an insider at two of the hottest companies on the planet: at Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), where he signed on as an adviser in 2001, pre-IPO (and received stock options now reportedly worth north of $30 million), and at Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), where he joined the board in 2003 (and got stock options now valued at about $6 million). He enjoyed a big payday as vice chairman of an investment firm in L.A., and, more recently, started a cable-television company and an asset-management firm, both of which are becoming quiet forces in their fields."

[Az]

2. Not at all

Gore has money enough. He chose to give the money to an institution he feels can use it. A great use for it if you ask me.

[robinlynne]

3. He doesn't need it, and he sets an example by giving it to do good.

[sandnsea]

7. I'm confused by the question

"should" ?? What is it that confuses you about someone giving the money away. I don't understand why this question would even enter your mind.

[janx]

9. Not if they don't need it.

The Gores don't need it and want to contribute to society--and to the environmental cause in particular.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

10. Are you really serious about this? nt

[TomInTib]

11. Not if the Winner thought the prize money would be put to better use by someone else. nt

[Beaverhausen]

13. Yes, and the winners should buy a fleet of gas-guzzling, road hogging Hummers

[eppur_se_muova]

15. Officially, the prize is no-strings-attached.

According to Uncle Sam, if you accept it, you pay income taxes on it. By donating the money, he pays no taxes on it, and the (nonprofit) recipient gets more $$$ that way.

[Lautremont]

16. Why?

[pitohui]

17. people who win should do anything they like with their prize money

al gore is from a well to do family and i'm not surprised he chose to give the money to further his cause

i don't know what doris lessing will do with her money at age 88 but i do know that she had many, many hard years of struggle and i hope she takes at least a little and splurges on herself

so i know what you're talking about, but a reward or a splurge is different for everyone

there are certainly some prize winners that it would do your heart good to see them enjoy a little ease in life, certainly

the gores have so much i don't blame al for refusing the money and regifting it where he feels it will do more