Two teens have won $50,000 for inventing a device that filters toxic microplastics from water. The prize seems to spark mixed reactions from the Reddit community.
Summary
- Reddit users question the adequacy of the prize money.
- Some users express skepticism due to similar headlines in the past.
- Discussion arises regarding potential commercialization of the invention.
Reaction to Prize
One user commented, ‘That doesn’t seem like enough money,’ indicating dissatisfaction with the reward amount and the effort put into the invention.
Skepticism Towards Headline
Another Redditor stated, ‘I feel like I read this exact headline every year,’ reflecting skepticism towards the frequency of such stories.
Commercialization Concerns
Amidst the discussion, a user raised concerns about corporate sponsorships and potential patenting of the invention for commercial gains.
A lot of these science fair competitions have corporate sponsors for this very purpose. They give the prize money in exchange for the rights to the invention. The companies then patent it and sell it for millions.
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