How did a computer scientist such as Geoffrey Hinton manage to win a Nobel Prize in physics when computer science already has its own Nobel Prize equivalent in the Turing Awards?

(Bob Dylan, Nobel Prize for Literature, 2016)

[The basic structure of artificial neural networks] has close similarities with spin models in statistical physics applied to magnetism or alloy theory. This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics recognizes research exploiting this connection to make breakthrough methodological advances in the field of ANN.

Whatever.

Carbon capture method mines cement ingredients from the air - Tech Xplore

In awarding prizes, the Nobel Committees often seem only marginally more competent than MTG is at explaining meteorology. And if they can give a literature prize for lyrics like:

"Good idea, but how can we wangle something that says 'Physics'?"

(Mumbles of assent)

Ford Stock Rises After Strong May Sales. The Pain Is Coming. - Barron's

"Didn't he do something with Boltzmann in it? That sounds physics-y. RBMs and stuff, eh?"

In December 1973, when Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, comedian Tom Lehrer dropped his mic and stamped on it—satire had just died.

There you go.^†

Chemists find a surprisingly simple way to remove microplastics from tap water - Earth.com

… then anything is possible. There’s no rule that a Nobel Prize has to make sense.^*

Whatever.

"Good point, I'm sure we can swing it. And let's tack on Hopfield while we're about it."

Winners, losers from NASCAR Cup race at Pocono won by Chase Briscoe - NBC Sports

"Naah, Linnainmaa is a Finn. Can't give it to a bloody Finnish mathematician. Let's go for drinks. Brännvin anyone?"

When he's standing, in front of you

[Older voice] "Mmm. What about Hinton, he's widely regarded? Nobody got fired for buying IBM"

Over-the-counter supplement could prevent heart disease in type 2 diabetes patients - Medical Xpress

Why wait any longer for the world to begin?

[Younger voice] "But wait a minute, Ising-Lenz goes back to the 1920's. And didn't Hinton plagiarise rather a lot? He also didn't invent modern backprop, did he, that's Linnainmaa? And Amari preceded Hopfield, too. That's not a good look."

They then move on to selectively provide their own version of history. But hey, it’s OK. They wanted controversy, didn’t they? Whatever.

Kylie Jenner Makes Cheetah Print Airplane Sweats Look So Chic While Leaving Venice - instyle.com

"Hey guys, AI is pretty big so let's centre our prizes on it this year. We can get some attention, and it's all about advertising, at the end of the day, isn't it?"

^† They rationalise their decision thusly:

A fly on the wall at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

What are the best examples of reverse psychology?

^* Fibiger got the 1926 Medicine prize for the discovery of Spiroptera carcinoma (Don’t ask).

Fortunately, we are privy to the discussion that led up to this:

You can have your cake and eat it too

Baby saved by gene-editing therapy 'graduates' from hospital, goes home - ABC News

My 11 million SEK, Dr Jo.

Why wait any longer for the one you love?

"Where can we shoehorn it in? Chemistry is easy 'cos AlphaFold; but what about physics? A bit more challenging, right?"

How do I cure anxiety that comes to me when I think about life when in the toilet?