Golden Goose | Radiolab

Intro

In this episode of Radiolab, titled “Golden Goose,” the hosts explore the legacy of Senator William Proxmire and his creation of the Golden Fleece Award. They delve into the impact of the award on government-funded research projects and the subsequent creation of the Golden Goose Award to recognize the importance of seemingly obscure research. The episode also highlights the fascinating discoveries made through curiosity-driven research, including the study of cone snails and the development of a non-opioid painkiller derived from snail venom.

Main Takeaways

Legacy of William Proxmire

• William Proxmire, a senator from Wisconsin, was known for his fight against government waste and corruption.
• He created the Golden Fleece Award to shame civil servants who were wasting taxpayer money.
• The award was given to projects that Proxmire deemed frivolous or wasteful.
• Proxmire’s watchdog role was important in holding the government accountable for wasting taxpayer money.

Impact of Golden Fleece Awards

• The Golden Fleece Award became famous and was even used by other politicians to criticize government spending.
• Some of the ridiculed projects included studying alcohol use in rats, a computerized system for giving directions, and a grant studying the sex life of the screw worm.
• Proxmire’s Golden Fleece Awards mocked and ruined the careers of scientists and led to funding cuts for some projects.
• Basic science research questions, even seemingly silly ones, are worth asking as they can lead to bigger breakthroughs.

Creation of the Golden Goose Award

• The negative legacy of the Golden Fleece Awards led to the creation of the Golden Goose Award.
• The Golden Goose Award celebrates seemingly odd or obscure research that has led to significant advancements.
• Over 70 researchers have been honored for their work, including those who led the foundational research for COVID-19 vaccines.
• The award recognizes the importance of funding curiosity-driven research.

Discoveries from Curiosity-Driven Research

• Toto, a scientist, studied cone snails and their venom, leading to the discovery of a non-opioid painkiller derived from snail venom.
• The painkiller is a thousand times more powerful than morphine and doesn’t cause tolerance or withdrawal.
• Other components of snail venom are being researched, including insulin that could be faster-acting than current insulin.
• The study of cone snails could lead to advancements in artificial intelligence.

Summary

Legacy of William Proxmire and the Golden Fleece Award

Senator William Proxmire, known for his fight against government waste, created the Golden Fleece Award to shame civil servants who were wasting taxpayer money. The award gained fame and was used by other politicians to criticize government spending. However, the awards also had negative consequences, mocking and ruining the careers of scientists and leading to funding cuts for important research projects. Despite this, the awards sparked a conversation about the value of basic science research and the potential for seemingly silly questions to lead to significant breakthroughs.

The Creation of the Golden Goose Award

In response to the negative legacy of the Golden Fleece Awards, the Golden Goose Award was established to recognize seemingly odd or obscure research that has resulted in major advancements. Over 70 researchers have been honored, including those involved in foundational research for COVID-19 vaccines. The award celebrates curiosity-driven research and highlights the importance of funding such endeavors.

Discoveries from Curiosity-Driven Research

One example of the impact of curiosity-driven research is the study of cone snails and their venom. Toto, a scientist, discovered a non-opioid painkiller derived from snail venom that is a thousand times more powerful than morphine and doesn’t cause tolerance or withdrawal. This discovery has significant implications for pain management. Additionally, other components of snail venom are being researched for their potential in various fields, including insulin production and advancements in artificial intelligence.

Conclusion

The story of the Golden Fleece and Golden Goose Awards showcases the complex relationship between government-funded research, public perception, and the pursuit of knowledge. While the Golden Fleece Awards brought attention to wasteful spending, they also had unintended consequences. The creation of the Golden Goose Award serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting curiosity-driven research and recognizing the potential for seemingly obscure studies to lead to major breakthroughs. It highlights the need for a balanced approach to funding scientific endeavors and encourages the exploration of unconventional ideas and questions.