President Trump awards Big Tech donors with nation’s highest science prizes
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What's this about?
Together, the awardees have donated nearly $6 billion to efforts tied to Trump and his administration.
The one-panel cartoon
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A grand hall at the White House where prestigious science awards are presented, with rows of tables displaying elaborate science exhibits and a stage set for formal speeches.
Caption: Congratulations, you've invented a new kind of lobbyist.
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Based on the original story on techcrunch.com.
Editor's note
Who knew the Nobel Prizes were just too mainstream? Now, thanks to President Trump, Big Tech's biggest donors can bask in the glow of the nation’s highest science prizes, turning award season into a tech tithe-tally. It’s like the Oscars, but with even more zeroes on the checks—and fewer red carpets.
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Panel 1
(a) What the subject of this story actually is and does: The story revolves around the U.S. President awarding the highest scientific honors to individuals who have donated large sums of money to political efforts tied to his administration, rather than those who have made significant contributions to science or technology. (b) The ONE real irony or absurdity in the news: The irony lies in the disconnect between the intent and impact of these awards. The awardees are receiving recognition for their financial support to politics, not for their scientific achievements. (c) The single funniest observation that becomes the highlight: The highlight is the moment when the underdog, a real scientist, overhears the awards ceremony and reacts to the absurdity of the situation. ---
Panel 2
*A small, cluttered laboratory filled with beakers, test tubes, and a scientist working intently at a microscope. The scientist, wearing a white lab coat and glasses, is deeply focused on a specimen.* Scientist (to self)
Scientist: Just one more experiment... and then I’ll have the data for the paper.
Panel 3
*The same laboratory, but now the scientist has put down the microscope and is standing by the window, holding a newspaper. The newspaper headline reads, The scientist looks puzzled and concerned.* Scientist (to self)
Narrator: Big Tech Donors Receive Nation's Highest Science Awards.
Scientist: What? Did they run out of real scientists to honor?
Panel 4
*The laboratory door suddenly opens, and a colleague enters holding a coffee mug. The colleague is also wearing a lab coat and looks equally bewildered.* Colleague (with a shake of the head) Scientist (sighing) Colleague (pointing at the microscope)
Colleague: Did you hear about the awards? They’re giving the big money donors the prizes meant for scientists!
Scientist: If only they knew what real science looks like...
Colleague: Like that, for starters.
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