You loose the egocentric mind driven preoocupation with cares and plans. Fun is here and now. It takes you out of your self into the present moment. It is the subtle reflection of the absurd, the inane and the downright daft. Why would Monty Python, the Goons or the Two Ronnies be so heartwarming if it was not for the fun they shared with us?

Let us suppose there are two possibilities of Obama being awarded the prize:

a)

He is awarded the prize now (the actual case). Obama continues the work he is doing. Of course, much of that work has relied on conciliation with other governments. In some instances, as has been pointed out here, this has gone too far, or Obama has not pushed for enough in return. And still much of his political vision, both at home and abroad, remains concerning. Yet, Pakistan and Afghanistan notwithstanding, Obama certainly has made a great deal of progress in a very short period of time in radically recasting America’s image overseas. This process is fragile, especially the relationship between Obama and American voters.

The Peace Prize will go some way towards sweetening this relationship, but, perhaps more importantly, will give Obama increasing foreign credibility. He will be able to demand more from (inter alia) the Chinese and Israelis. This is a good thing.

b)

The prize is awarded in (say) 6 years. Even allowing that Obama is re-elected, the prize is awarded essentially after his Presidency. Best case scenario, he becomes a new Jimmy Carter, becoming, in essence, a powerful foreign diplomat and ambassador. The Nobel Prize will strengthen his position, particularly abroad, and he will be able to do some good work. But he cannot achieve post-Presidency anything like that which he can achieve during his Presidency. Negotiations with foreign powers become essentially impotent without the force of the Presidency.

The Nobel Prize has often been awarded ex-post to those who have done a great deal of good. And they have often ‘deserved’ it. But in some instances, its conferment has also strengthened and supported important causes (for example, in the instance of aung san suu kyi).

It is remarkable that the Prize has been used almost exclusively for this latter purpose. But this is a change to be celebrated, not condemned.